Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany
The UNIQ Hydraulic Expanding Chuck, designed by Ottenwälder und Ottenwälder in collaboration with MAPAL, is a sophisticated clamping solution for industrial machining, focusing on performance, precision, and sustainability.
Its design combines aesthetic appeal with advanced functionality, optimizing weight and material usage for greater efficiency.
For its sustainable design, this project has been awarded a 2024 Green Good Design Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
This innovation leverages finite element modeling (FEM) to achieve maximum stability while minimizing resource use, reducing energy consumption during operations such as spindle acceleration and deceleration.
The sophisticated design of the UNIQ hydraulic expanding chuck is intended not only to create a visual highlight but also to unlock economic and ecological potentials.
The chuck jaws were optimized primarily in terms of their shape, weight, and material usage.
The new design follows the principle of maximum stability with optimal resource utilization, as revealed by the FEM calculations.
Even small weight savings have significant effects in the case of chuck jaws, making a noticeable impact in the long run.
For example, less energy is required during spindle acceleration and deceleration when the chuck jaw is lighter.
The newly designed chuck jaws literally shine in a new light.
Through a specially developed polishing process, the surface of the chuck jaws becomes more corrosion-resistant than before, ensuring a longer lifespan and improved sustainability – additionally delighting users with a brilliant appearance.
Project: UNIQ Hydraulic Expanding Chuck
Designers: Ottenwälder und Ottenwälder (OUNDO)
Manufacturer: MAPAL Fabrik für Präzisionswerkzeuge Dr. Kress KG.
