Soft jaws are specialized components commonly used
in machines like lathes, milling machines, and CNC machining centers. These
jaws are typically made from materials like aluminum, plastic, or soft steel
and are designed to hold and secure delicate or irregularly shaped workpieces
during machining operations.
Soft jaws serve several crucial purposes:
1. Gentle
Clamping: Soft jaws provide a gentle and secure grip on the workpiece without
damaging its surface. This is essential when working with materials that are
prone to deformation or marring.
2. Customization:
They can be machined or shaped to match the exact contours of the workpiece,
ensuring a precise and stable hold. This customization capability makes them
versatile for various applications.
3. Repeatable
Setup: Soft jaws can be
easily replaced and reconfigured for different workpieces, allowing for
efficient and repeatable setups in production environments.
4. Workpiece
Protection: By preventing direct contact between the machine’s hard jaws and
the workpiece, soft jaws help protect the workpiece from scratches, dents, or
distortion.
5. Enhanced
Precision: Soft jaws enable machining operations with greater precision, as
they minimize workpiece movement and vibration during cutting, drilling, or
milling.
So, soft jaws play a crucial role in machining
processes by providing a gentle, customizable, and protective grip on
workpieces, ensuring both precision and workpiece integrity.
Meet Soft jaws manufacturer & supplier in USA - Usshoptools.com, a machine shop tools manufacturer