Achieving Machine Tool Automation and Labor Saving: Workholding Fixture Solutions with Kitagawa × MST Smart Grip

Manufacturers today face a variety of challenges, including labor shortages, the need for higher productivity, and the demand for consistent machining quality. In Southeast Asia—particularly in Thailand—there is a growing need to improve production efficiency while minimizing capital investment.

To address these challenges, Kitagawa Corporation offers integrated assembly solutions that combine machine tools with peripheral equipment.

Workpiece mounting jig, Assembly, MST Smart Grip, Kitagawa Iron Works

Kitagawa’s Strength: Integrated Assembly Solutions Using Peripheral Equipment

One of Kitagawa Corporation’s key strengths lies not only in supplying individual products—such as chucks, NC rotary tables, and robot hands—but also in proposing integrated assembly solutions that combine these peripherals based on machining processes and production environments. The company provides comprehensive support, from selecting optimal peripheral equipment and designing workholding fixtures to system integration and implementation.

Kitagawa Corporation also operates in regions such as the United States, Europe, India, and China, where application expertise gained worldwide is shared across its global network. By leveraging this global experience, the company provides the same high level of technical support to customers in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand.

Workpiece mounting jig assembly, MST Smart Grip, Kitagawa Iron Works

▲ Design engineers at Kitagawa Corporation’s overseas locations support integrated solution proposals

MST Smart Grip for Process Integration

One of the key technologies supporting these integrated solutions is the Smart Grip workholding system developed by MST Corporation.

Smart Grip is a high-rigidity workholding system developed for metal machining. It features a structure combining an HSK interface with a dovetail clamping mechanism, enabling strong and stable clamping performance.

This design provides high clamping force even with a small gripping area while improving tool accessibility. As a result, stable and highly accurate machining can be achieved with minimal interference.

【Key Features of Smart Grip】
✓ High clamping force even with a small gripping area
✓ Excellent tool accessibility, enabling greater machining flexibility
✓ High rigidity for stable machining
✓ Compatible with automation systems through robot integration

In addition, Smart Grip allows workholders to be prepared offline in advance, enabling workpiece changeover while minimizing machine downtime. This not only shortens setup time but also helps ensure a stable machining environment independent of operator skill.

The system has a strong track record in Europe and the United States, supported by KNI, the authorized U.S. distributor of MST Corporation’s Smart Grip system.

Improving Productivity Through Process Integration

In conventional machining, fixtures such as vises are commonly used, and the workpiece is machined across multiple operations while its orientation is changed. This requires setup changes and re-centering for each operation, which can reduce production efficiency and increase operator workload.

Smart Grip enables multi-face machining with a single clamping, allowing machining processes to be integrated. This reduces the number of setup changes, resulting in shorter machining time and improved productivity.

Workpiece mounting jig, Assembly, MST Smart Grip, Kitagawa Iron Works

【Machining Process Comparison: With vs. Without Smart Grip】
Item	Conventional Machining	Smart Grip
Workpiece Setup	Setup required for each process	Single-clamping machining
Machining Process	Multiple operations	Process integration possible
Number of Operators	Multiple operators required	Fewer operators required

For example, by combining an NC rotary table from Kitagawa Corporation with the Smart Grip system on a 3-axis machining center, machining performance comparable to 5-axis machining can be achieved. This approach enables advanced machining using existing equipment without the need for costly new machinery.

Expansion to Automation and Unmanned Operation

Furthermore, Smart Grip can be integrated with robots through the use of a hydraulic auto head. By enabling automatic exchange of work holders, an automation system combining a machining center and a robot can be implemented. This allows extended and unmanned operation, contributing to further improvements in production efficiency.

Total Support for Solving Machining Challenges

Kitagawa Trading (Thailand) Co., Ltd. provides proposals for machining improvements by combining the Smart Grip system with workholding equipment such as chucks and vises. To address challenges in machining environments—including process integration, automation, labor savings, and stable machining quality—the company offers comprehensive support, covering everything from equipment selection and fixture design to system integration and implementation.

In many cases, machining issues that cannot be solved by a machine tool alone can be improved through the effective use of peripheral equipment. If you are considering improving your machining processes or introducing automation, please feel free to contact us.