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In precision manufacturing, we all talk about tolerances, stability, and repeatability. But there’s something many shops leave out of the equation:
Maintenance of their clamping systems.
It doesn’t matter if your workholding system was a well-planned investment, compatible with the most demanding standards. Over time, any component subjected to constant cycles, coolant exposure, metal particles, or pneumatic pressure starts to change:
# Axes lose smoothness
# Surfaces no longer seat properly
# Springs stop applying consistent force
# Fine dust affects repeatability
All of this can happen without you noticing. Until you notice it on the machine.
Maintenance Isn’t a Technical Luxury. It’s Part of the Process.
In shops running CNC, EDM, or WEDM equipment, workholding tools aren’t accessories. They’re the origin point of precision.
And when that point fails, everything else starts to suffer: setup quality, inspection results, delivery schedules.
Regular maintenance of your clamping systems means:
- Preserving the repeatability your parts require
- Reducing scrap and downtime from invisible causes
- Ensuring every tool change performs like the last one
- Extending the life of your investment
Basic Steps to Keep Your Workholding at 100%
These steps apply regardless of which system you use:
1. Deep clean every 3 to 6 months
Remove coolant residue, contaminated grease, and accumulated fine dust.
2. Use technical lubricants, not generic ones
It’s not just about “greasing.” Apply lubricants designed to resist pressure and repetitive cycles without breaking down.
3. Inspect springs, seals, and active surfaces
Replace components showing wear. Failures rarely come from one thing. They come from small deviations adding up over time.
4. Follow recommended assembly patterns
There are technical reasons behind the proper order of component installation. Don’t improvise.
Caring for What You Have is Part of Being a Precision Shop
Investing in quality workholding is only half the journey. The other half is keeping them in optimal condition.
A well-mounted setup is useless if the holder doesn’t clamp properly. A perfect CAD model means nothing if clamping isn’t consistent between cycles.
Practical Example: Step-by-Step Maintenance
To help you put all this into practice, we’ve prepared a video showing a real maintenance example. In it, we demonstrate complete servicing of the:
EROWA ER-007521 Compatible CNC 80 mm Square Pneumatic Chuck
📽️ [Watch the video]