How Mate Workholding Became United Machine’s Go-To Vise for Precision and Efficiency!

Workholding plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability and precision of any machining operation. Inadequate workholding can lead to longer setup and cycle times, increased scrap, tool wear, and the need for more rework. These challenges prompted John Robinette, the owner of United Machine Company, to seek alternative workholding solutions that would provide consistency and quality in the components his company manufactures for the aerospace industry.

Robinette had faced recurring issues with his previous workholding setup, including broken jaws, part lift, and rising perishable costs. The frustrations led him to search for a more reliable workholding option that would ensure higher-quality machining and better process efficiency. After researching the solutions offered by Mate Precision Technologies, Robinette was drawn to the DynoGrip™ vise, which promised a repeatability of 0.0004″ (0.010mm), quick-change jaws, and tool steel construction.

Robinette decided to test the DynoGrip™ vise using his Haas UMC-500 five-axis machine, machining a stainless steel aircraft galley cabinet latch. The results were impressive. Robinette noticed improvements in tool life, vibration control, and saw a reduction in setup times due to the elimination of dovetails in most applications. This simplification not only cut time but also reduced costs for United Machine.

The DynoGrip™ vise’s proprietary serrated jaws and clamping forces of 23kN (5,200 lbs.) for the DynoGrip 52 series and 34kN (7,650 lbs.) for the DynoGrip 96 series helped prevent part movement during aggressive machining. Robinette noted, “I’m routinely able to complete manufacturing of workpieces in one operation that previously required two or three.”

One of the key advantages of the DynoGrip™ vise was its quick-change jaw system. Robinette found this feature incredibly valuable, as it allowed him to switch from standard jaws to soft jaws without tools, saving him additional time and making the process more efficient.

Although he no longer needs dovetails for most applications, Robinette still uses them when he wants to machine all sides of a workpiece in one operation. Mate’s jaws come with a standard 45° dovetail, in addition to serrated teeth, offering maximum flexibility in part setup.

Since adopting the DynoGrip™ vise, United Machine now produces over 300 stainless steel levers per month, with several DynoGrip™ vises in operation. Robinette praised the consistency and reliability of the system, noting that it had reduced the complexity of jobs, which also helped with machinist retention.

He emphasized that nothing breaks in Mate’s DynoGrip™ vise: the jaws remain intact, and the parts do not move during the machining process. This has resulted in a noticeable improvement in part quality. “Before Mate,” Robinette said, “I wasn’t sure what would happen after starting the machine tool. I’d lose three or four parts per job. With Mate’s DynoGrip™, I’m no longer concerned when I press the GO button.”

In addition to its benefits in traditional machining, Mate’s workholding solutions have supported United Machine’s automation efforts. The company recently installed a Haas UMC-500 with a robot pallet loader and upgraded its system from 15 pallets to 40 pallets—all equipped with Mate vises. This automated cell now runs lights-out overnight, increasing operational efficiency.

“These vises change how we program and cut parts,” Robinette explained. “It’s hard to express how much of a difference they make.”

With decades of in-house machining experience, Mate Precision Technologies developed its workholding systems to meet real-world shop demands and help manufacturers push their limits with confidence. The partnership between United Machine Company and Mate demonstrates the impact of advanced workholding solutions on productivity, precision, and cost-effectiveness.

The DynoGrip™ vise has proven to be more than just a tool—it has become a cornerstone of United Machine’s success, enabling faster production times, improved part quality, and a smoother transition to automated manufacturing.

Mate’s DynoGrip™ vises have become a game-changer for United Machine Company, offering improved productivity, precision, and efficiency in their machining operations. With quick-change jaws, flexible setups, and superior clamping force, Mate’s workholding solutions are driving United Machine toward greater success in the aerospace and manufacturing industries, highlighting the importance of high-quality, reliable workholding in modern production environments.