Modular magnetic device for clamping ferromagnetic workpieces

1. A magnetic device for clamping ferromagnetic workpieces comprising a frame having:

a first magnetic circuit which is configured to generate a first magnetic field adapted to clamp a ferromagnetic workpiece to be processed,

a second magnetic circuit which is configured to generate a second magnetic field adapted to clamp said ferromagnetic workpiece to a machine tool bed,

said first magnetic circuit and said second magnetic circuit being adapted to be controlled to turn on and/or off independent of each other,

wherein the magnetic device comprises first and second mechanical and electrical connection means for mechanically and electrically connecting said magnetic device, when in operation, to second and first complementary mechanical and electrical connection means of other modular magnetic devices located adjacent thereto, to create a series of modular magnetic devices mechanically and electrically connected together.

2. A magnetic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first and second mechanical and electrical connection means comprise mechanical linkage means for providing mechanical coupling while allowing mutual motion between a modular magnetic device and another modular magnetic device adjacent thereto.

3. A magnetic device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said linkage means include a rotary coupling, involving rotation about a constraint axis.

4. A magnetic device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said linkage means comprise a rotary coupling, for allowing rotation about said constraint axis over an angle that falls within a range from 0 to ±120° so that said magnetic device can be tilted by said angle relative to the magnetic device adjacent thereto.

5. A magnetic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said first and second mechanical and electrical connection means comprise a male input electrical connector and a respective female output electrical connector.

6. A magnetic device as claimed in claim 3 , wherein said magnetic device mainly extends in a longitudinal direction and defines first and second sides at the opposed larger surfaces whose ends define a front part and a rear part of said frame, said longitudinal direction forming an axis of symmetry for said frame, so that the front part and the rear part oppose each other along said axis of symmetry, said constraint axis being transverse, preferably orthogonal to said direction of extension.

7. A magnetic apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said front part is complementary to the rear part.

8. A magnetic device as claimed in claim 3 , comprising at least one magnetic or non-magnetic area which is coaxial to said constraint axis.

9. A magnetic device as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a first part having said first magnetic circuit disposed therein and a second part having said second magnetic circuit disposed therein.

10. A magnetic device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first mechanical connection means integrate the first electrical connection means and the second mechanical connection means integrate the second electrical connection means.