One of the most important improvements in power workholding is the work support. These components do not exert clamping force; instead, they lock off to restrain a workpiece during machining to prevent deflection and vibration. SWIFTSURE work supports offer two major improvements: (1) drastically improved accuracy, with +/-.0002 inches repeatability, and (2) fluid-advanced and air-advanced supports. Fluid- and air-advanced versions offer significant advantages over conventional spring-loaded work supports. A spring-loaded support relies on a workpiece's weight to depress its support plunger to the proper height. While fluid pressure is off, the plunger remains in a raised position on the machine and can hamper loading and unloading. A fluid-advanced work support's plunger, on the other hand, is retracted when fluid pressure is off. Applying pressure first raises the plunger gently to the workpiece, then automatically locks it at the correct height. When pressure is released, the plunger retracts again for clear loading.
