Compact Automation Datum

Compact Automation Datum System for Pallets & Fixture Carriers

Q: What repeatability is listed for the BDS datum bodies?

The current catalogue lists repeat positioning accuracy below 0.003 mm for the main BDS A024 and B024 datum bodies.

Q: How much clamping force is listed for BDS A024 and B024?

Both the A024 and B024 datum bodies are listed at 60,000 N clamping force in the catalogue.

Q: What is the difference between the datum body and the datum pallet?

The datum body is the clamping receiver mounted to the machine or fixture base, while the datum pallet is the mating carrier designed for repeatable transfer and automated handling.

Q: What air supply does the BDS datum body use?

The datum bodies are listed with pneumatic unlocking at 0.5–0.8 MPa. Clean, dry air is recommended for stable long-term operation.

Q: When should I choose BDS instead of a larger zero-point family?

Choose BDS when you want a more compact datum interface for automation cells, fixture carriers, or machine-table setups while still keeping high repeatability and strong clamping.

BDS A024 / B024 positioning datum for compact pallets, fixture carriers and automation handoff

BDS is built for compact pallets and fixture carriers that need a smaller datum footprint than a large zero-point receiver, while still delivering repeat transfer accuracy, four-side indexing and protection for positioning surfaces during handling.

<0.003 mm repeatabilityCatalogue data lists repeat positioning accuracy below 0.003 mm for the main A024 and B024 datum bodies.

60,000 N clamping forceA strong spring-and-ball-lock structure supports stable clamping in machining and automation transfer scenarios.

Built for automationMatching pallets include handling-friendly designs so cells can move between prep, machine loading, and repeat setups more efficiently.

View specs Quick fit guide Catalog & downloads

Discuss BDS Integration Open BDS fit guide

Jump in by task

Start with footprint fit, then confirm datum family and pallet logic

Use the shortcuts below when the current question is whether BDS fits the carrier footprint, how A024 and B024 differ, or what information engineering needs before recommending a matched stack.

Footprint focus

Check whether BDS solves the space problem better than a larger zero-point receiver without overbuilding the datum interface.

Model focus

Use A024 versus B024 selection to balance pallet support, transferred mass, and how much surrounding carrier area is available.

Transfer focus

Confirm pickup direction, automation handling, and coolant or chip exposure before finalizing the pallet and protection concept.

Fast engineering handoff

Send the pallet and mounting constraints first

Available footprint, mounting pattern, and carrier type.
Fixture plus workpiece weight and repeatability target.
Manual pickup, robot transfer, or mixed transfer direction.
How the datum family may need to scale into future automation.

Request BDS review

Quick fit guide

When BDS is the better fit than a larger zero-point interface

BDS works best when you need a smaller datum footprint without giving up repeatability, pallet discipline, or automation-friendly handling.

Choose BDS when space is tight

A compact machine table, fixture carrier, or robot end interface often benefits more from BDS than from a larger receiver format.

Choose BDS when repeat transfer matters

It is a good fit for pallets that move between prep, machining, inspection, and compact automation cells with one reference logic.

Use a larger interface when loads dominate

If the main requirement is a bigger contact area for heavier roughing loads, a larger zero-point architecture may be the safer starting point.

Send these details for a matched BDS stack

Mounting space

Available footprint, mounting pattern, and whether the datum is going on a pallet, fixture carrier, robot gripper, or machine table.

Load & accuracy target

Part weight, fixture weight, expected cutting loads, repeatability target, and whether inspection transfer is included.

Transfer direction

Tell us whether pickup is manual, robot-based, top loading, or side access, so we can avoid interference issues early.

Pallet plan

Share whether you need matched pallets, anti-rotation logic, direction control, and future automation expansion on the same datum family.

Discuss BDS project data Review A024 / B024 models

How to shortlist A024 vs B024

Both families keep the same compact-datum logic, but the better choice usually comes down to carrier footprint, workpiece mass and how much support you want around the pallet.

Start with A024 when

You need the smallest practical datum footprint for compact pallets, lighter fixture carriers or tighter machine-table layouts.

Step up to B024 when

You want more carrier support, a slightly larger datum body or extra confidence when pallet size and transferred mass increase.

Keep one datum family when

The same pallet must move between setup, machining, inspection and robot transfer without changing the locating logic or carrier orientation.

Quick fit guide Model Matrix Why BDS Selection & Integration Guide Application Scenarios Resources & Downloads Frequently Asked Questions

Catalogue model matrix

A024 / B024 Datum Bodies and Pallets

Compare A024 and B024 as compact datum families for pallets, fixture carriers and robot handoff. The best match depends on available footprint, supported mass and how much pallet stiffness you need around the interface.

Family	Product code	Type	Repeatability	Clamping force	Indexing	Material	Weight
BDS A024	NT-S1100P120A	Positioning datum	<0.003 mm	60,000 N	4 × 90°	Hardened stainless steel	24 kg
BDS A024	NT-S1100P240A	Datum pallet	Uses datum indexing	—	4 × 90°	Aluminum	7.5 kg
BDS B024	NT-S1100P160B	Positioning datum	<0.003 mm	60,000 N	4 × 90°	Hardened stainless steel	29 kg
BDS B024	NT-S1100P240B	Datum pallet	Uses datum indexing	—	4 × 90°	Aluminum	10 kg

Pneumatic unlocking

The main datum bodies use pneumatic unlocking at 0.5–0.8 MPa, supporting clean clamp / unclamp sequencing in automation cells.

Seal + air-jet cleaning

The catalogue highlights sealing, anti-chip cleaning, and air-tightness checking to protect datum accuracy over repeated cycles.

Lift protection for heavy work

A center lifting structure helps protect the datum face during loading and unloading of heavier pallets or workpieces.

Why BDS stays attractive in compact automation

Compact datum body

Use BDS when the fixture, pallet or robot end-effector benefits from a smaller interface than a larger receiver family.

Protected Z-axis contact

The catalogue highlights a center lifting structure that can protect the datum surface when mounting heavier workpieces.

Contamination control

Seal-ring protection and air-jet cleaning help reduce chip and coolant intrusion that would otherwise affect accuracy over time.

Stable locking logic

Spring and steel-ball locking with compressed-air unlocking supports repeatable automated clamp / unclamp cycles.

Best-fit scenarios

Compact automation cells where pallet density and access matter more than a large interface.
Machine-table datum stations that need fast repeat setup on recurring jobs.
Robot-loaded pallet carriers where orientation and pickup consistency must stay stable.
Transfer-ready fixture bases that need a cleaner bridge from manual prep to automated loading.

Selection & Integration Guide

What to confirm	Why it matters	Typical BDS direction
A024 vs B024 interface direction	The catalogue separates two matched datum directions, so engineering should confirm which family the pallet and receiver will belong to before ordering.	Keep the datum body and matching pallet in the same family to avoid an avoidable interface mismatch later.
Datum body vs datum pallet	The receiver stays on the machine or fixture base, while the pallet becomes the transfer-ready carrier for repeated jobs.	Choose the full matched set when robot handling, offline setup or repeat pallet exchange are part of the project scope.
Heavy-workpiece mounting risk	Heavier loads increase the chance of damaging the datum face during clamp / unclamp and handoff.	Use the protected lifting logic and confirm the real pallet + workpiece mass early in the project review.
Air and contamination quality	Dirty air and chip buildup reduce unattended reliability, especially in automated loading cells.	Use clean dry air, maintain the seal surfaces and add clamp / unclamp confirmation in the machine or robot logic.

Application Scenarios

Machine-table datum base

Mount BDS receivers directly on the table to reduce re-indicating and keep repeat positioning stable across recurring setups.

Automation pallet transfer

Pair the datum body with matching pallets when a robot or transfer module needs a compact but repeatable handoff interface.

Heavy workpiece loading

The protected lifting concept is valuable when heavier parts could otherwise damage the datum face during clamp and location.

Inspection and fixture carriers

Use BDS on fixture carriers to keep setups transferable between prep, machining and checking stations with less manual touch-up.

Resources & Downloads

Request Product Catalog

Ask for the BDS catalogue pages, confirmation of the exact datum / pallet combination, and current dimensional drawings for your project.

Request Catalog

What to send us

Your machine model and table size
If the cell is manual, robot-loaded, or pallet-transfer based
Approximate workpiece / pallet mass
If you need datum only, pallet only, or a full matched set

Buyer FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Short answers to the most common selection and integration questions for the BDS positioning datum family.

What repeatability is listed for the BDS datum bodies?

The current catalogue lists repeat positioning accuracy below 0.003 mm for the main BDS A024 and B024 datum bodies.

How much clamping force is listed for BDS A024 and B024?

Both the A024 and B024 datum bodies are listed at 60,000 N clamping force in the catalogue.

What is the difference between the datum body and the datum pallet?

The datum body is the clamping receiver mounted to the machine or fixture base, while the datum pallet is the mating carrier designed for repeatable transfer and automated handling.

What air supply does the BDS datum body use?

The datum bodies are listed with pneumatic unlocking at 0.5–0.8 MPa. Clean, dry air is recommended for stable long-term operation.

When should I choose BDS instead of a larger zero-point family?

Choose BDS when you want a more compact datum interface for automation cells, fixture carriers, or machine-table setups while still keeping high repeatability and strong clamping.