BDS positioning datum overview
Compact Automation Datum

Compact Automation Datum System for Pallets & Fixture Carriers

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 specsQuick fit guideCatalog & downloads
Lead time: 15–25 days MOQ: 1 set Payment: T/T · L/C ISO 9001 / 14001 / 45001 MIC Verified Supplier
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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 dataReview 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 guideModel MatrixWhy BDSSelection & Integration GuideApplication ScenariosResources & DownloadsFrequently 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.

A024 / B024 Datum Bodies and Pallets — technical data
FamilyProduct codeTypeRepeatabilityClamping forceIndexingMaterialWeight
BDS A024NT-S1100P120APositioning datum<0.003 mm60,000 N4 × 90°Hardened stainless steel24 kg
BDS A024NT-S1100P240ADatum palletUses datum indexing—4 × 90°Aluminum7.5 kg
BDS B024NT-S1100P160BPositioning datum<0.003 mm60,000 N4 × 90°Hardened stainless steel29 kg
BDS B024NT-S1100P240BDatum palletUses datum indexing—4 × 90°Aluminum10 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.

Models in detail

NT-S1100P120A and NT-S1100P160B at a glance

Two compact datum bodies covering most pallet and fixture-carrier sizes. Both share the same locking logic, so pallets stay interchangeable across the family.

NT-S1100P120A BDS positioning datum body, 320 × 240 mm
NT-S1100P120A dimensional drawing, 320 × 240 × 50 mm with 4× Ø13 mounting slots
Compact size · 320 × 240 footprint

NT-S1100P120A · BDS A024

Smaller datum body for compact pallets, lighter fixture carriers and tighter machine-table layouts.

Footprint
320 × 240 × 50 mm
Repeatability
<0.003 mm
Clamping
60,000 N
Indexing
4 × 90°
NT-S1100P160B BDS positioning datum body, 330 × 267 mm
NT-S1100P160B dimensional drawing, 330 × 267 × 50 mm with 4× Ø13 mounting slots
Larger carrier · 330 × 267 footprint

NT-S1100P160B · BDS B024

Use B024 when pallet size, mass or fixture-carrier stiffness goes up — same datum logic, larger body.

Footprint
330 × 267 × 50 mm
Repeatability
<0.003 mm
Clamping
60,000 N
Indexing
4 × 90°

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

Selection & Integration Guide — technical data
What to confirmWhy it mattersTypical BDS direction
A024 vs B024 interface directionThe 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 palletThe 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 riskHeavier 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 qualityDirty 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.

BDS IN PRODUCTION

Two cell layouts and four design details that hold up

What BDS looks like in real production cells — and the engineering details that keep it stable shift after shift.

BDS positioning datum in production: robot-arm-fed cell, center-lift heavy-pallet datum, plus four key design features (lift mechanism, sealed interface, air-jet cleaning, ball-lock clamping)
BDS in real cells

How BDS sits inside a working cell

These three views are taken straight from project cells — robot pallet handoff, vise-on-datum machining and tombstone fixture transfer.

Robot arm loading a pallet onto BDS positioning datum inside a CNC machine, with the spindle and jaw fixture in view

Robot pallet transfer

Compact datum body lets a 6-axis arm pick, place and re-clamp without re-indicating between stations.

BDS positioning datum mounted on a CNC machine table with a precision vise stack underneath the spindle

Datum-stack on the table

Receiver mounted directly on the machine table; the pallet locks the same way every cycle, even with a precision vise on top.

Tombstone fixture mounted on BDS positioning datum carrier inside a vertical machining centre

Tombstone fixture carrier

BDS handles the carrier handoff — the same tombstone fixture moves between offline prep and the machine without re-zeroing.

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.

What is the typical lead time from confirmed PO to shipment?

Standard BDS positioning-datum modules ship 4–6 weeks after PO confirmation. Custom pull-stud configurations, matched datum sets, or non-standard mounting patterns add 1–2 weeks. Committed lead time is confirmed in writing once the receiver spacing and pull-stud spec are locked.

What inspection and quality documentation ships with each BDS positioning datum?

Each BDS receiver ships with a factory inspection report covering pull-stud receiver repeatability, datum geometry, and seating force. Material certificates for the hardened steel body, calibration traceability, and the written warranty are available on request at order time.