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The increase in higher precision machining is creating demand for stronger, more durable, faster acting, closer tolerance chucks and collets that can grip and hold the parts and the tools being used. Here is a review of some of the latest chuck and collet solutions that meet that demand.

Posted: February 27, 2015

For precise serial production, the ROTA NCO lathe chuck from SCHUNK has the highest clamping force, lowest jaw stroke and lowest height of any chuck in its class, ensuring more space in the engine room, shorter cycle times, and higher versatility.
The TB2 Chuck from SCHUNK meets the increased demands of machining rods and pipes for the oil industry, including more parts in less time, less maintenance, longer life, increased and more efficient cycles, as well as safety. It actuates faster with an innovative exhaust system that allows the quickest venting to ensure shorter cycle times.
The Unilock ESA 120/70 automation chuck from BIG Kaiser allows robots to pick and place fixtured workpieces into the machine by checking for workpiece presence, proper orientation and clamping, then communicating back to the controller when the workpiece is in place and ready to be machined.
The Production Dynamics Full Bore collet chuck from Lexair increases the through-hole capacity of lathe spindles with a self-contained mechanical-grip/air-release actuation system that eliminates the drawtube needed for hydraulic chucks.
Mounted in direct contact with the top jaw, the jaw forming ring from Dillon preloads the chucking system and provides a jaw surface true to the machine centerline to reduce set-up times and increase up-times for running machined parts. This maximizes jaw life for requalifying or reforming by lessening the amount of jaw stock removal required during parts set-up.
The compact power-operated, rotating CAPTIS collet chuck from Röhm is ideal for turning machines, with an innovative quick-change method that converts from external to internal clamping in less than a minute and collet changes made in 15 seconds.
The universal high-precision chuck from WIDIA is a single high-accuracy tool holder for milling, drilling, reaming, or tapping that boosts efficiencies while holding near-perfect runout in aerospace, transportation, die and mold, general engineering and other applications.
The HydroForce HT™ universal hydraulic chuck from WIDIA is a high-performance, high-torque universal hydraulic chuck that cost-effectively simplifies inventory while maximizing tool life and machining results for milling, drilling, reaming, and other rotating applications.
The Hi-Q/ERC 50 collet nut for through-coolant tools from Rego-Fix is used with larger ER 50 tools to replace standard ER 50 non-coolant nuts in applications where coolant through is possible.
For superior clamping to high-speed machining, the micRun clamping system from Rego-Fix is designed with the best combination of TIR, clamping force and ease of use in mind, creating the most accurate collet system for high-speed machining on the market.
Hardinge offers P16C, P20C and P25C collets along with the corresponding P16D, P20D and P25D Long Bearing Carbide Guide Bushings for the Nomura line of CNC Swiss Turning machines.
Low-profile Flex-Grip collet closers from Lexair get a tighter grip on non-uniform workpiece diameters with flexible collet heads. They are ideal for stationary workholding in assembly or machining operations by providing more Z-axis clearance on machine tables, fixture plates, tombstones and trunion tables.
PG-L collets from Rego-Fix accommodate longer tools by providing 3 mm to 6 mm longer engagement than standard collets.
PG-S collets have 3 mm to 6 mm shorter engagement than standard PG collets and permit use of off-the-shelf cutting tools instead of specials and also provide more latitude for regrinding.

The powRgrip system utilizes a special shallow-tapered collet that is pressed into a holder with a matching taper using either a hydraulic hand pump or a tabletop hydraulic press. The system is engineered as an alternative to shrink fit and hydraulic toolholding systems and provides minimal runout, maximum clamping force, high vibration dampening and ease of use.

The company also recently offers its Hi-Q/ERC 50 collet nut for through-coolant tools. Designed for use with larger ER 50 tools, Hi-Q/ERC 50 collet nuts can be used to replace standard ER 50 non-coolant nuts in applications where coolant through is possible. The Hi-Q/ERC 50 nut will use DS/ER 50 coolant disks for tools larger than 25.5 mm and can utilize a special adapter allowing the use of ER 40 coolant and flush type disks for the smaller diameters. The adapter reduces the number of disks required specifically for ER 50 applications. Originally developed by Rego-Fix and patented in 1973, the ER clamping system is the most commonly used collet chuck system in the world. The system offers precise total indicated runout (TIR), can handle high torque and provides vibration damping that helps maintain product quality and productivity.

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For superior clamping to high-speed machining, the Rego-Fix micRun clamping system is designed with the best combination of TIR, clamping force and ease of use in mind, creating the most accurate collet system for high-speed machining on the market. It is available in standard taper types and comprises three precision-tailored and matched components: micRun collets, micRun clamping nuts, and micRun toolholders. When used together in compliance with recommended tightening torque, the components create higher transferable torque compared to other precision collet systems and provide a TIR of less than 0.00012 in at 3 x D.

Available with internal or peripheral cooling, micRun features a patent-pending collet locking system that retains the collet in the nut for easier insertion and removal, with no extractor required. The micRun line of collets provides great flexibility with four sizes available: MR11, MR16, MR25, MR32. It also allows 16 different tool diameters ranging from Ø 1.00 – Ø 20.00 mm to be clamped in the same holder, including tools with nominal diameter with shaft tolerance h11.

micRun clamping nuts have a special surface treatment that increases the clamping force, and a special thread design keeps the nut aligned with the holder to improve repeatability and rigidity in challenging applications. The nuts, which also have a closed contour design that reduces noise, can be tightened and loosened with a free-wheel wrench head. The nuts are available with standard (MR) and fine thread (MRM), and coolant versions for Coolant Flush Disks and Sealing Disks (MRC).

Rego-Fix Tool Corporation, 7752 Moller Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268, 317-870-5959, Fax: 317-870-5955, www.rego-fix.com.

COLLETS AND GUIDE BUSHINGS FOR SWISS TURNING
Hardinge Workholding (Elmira, NY) offers two additional Swiss families as a standard product. Available for sale are P16C, P20C and P25C collets along with the corresponding P16D, P20D and P25D Long Bearing Carbide Guide Bushings for the Nomura line of CNC Swiss Turning machines. Designed and engineered as a standard product, these products are available in round, hexagon and square sizes. This line of collets and guide bushings will cover nearly all models of Nomura Swiss style turning machines.

Also available as a standard products are popular long bearing Carbide Guide Bushings including TD25, TD25S, TD26, TD32, TD32S and 0201 that were previously special order. Round long bearing guide bushings are carbide lined to keep the stock clean and unmarked. The extended length carbide provides additional contact surface required for longer parts.

“Adding new products into our standard product offering now gives users the opportunity to obtain the workholding they require in ten days or less at a competitive price,” said Ryan Ervin, the manager of North American workholding sales and product development comments. These new products join an already huge line-up of standard Swiss collets and guide bushings offered by Hardinge for nearly all makes and models of Swiss-style machines.

Hardinge Inc., One Hardinge Drive, PO Box 1507, Elmira, New York 14902-1507, 800-843-8801, Fax: 607-734-8819, info@hardinge.com, www.hardinge.com.

LOW-PROFILE COLLET CLOSERS
Low-profile Flex-Grip collet closers from Lexair maintain a secure, parallel grip on inconsistent workpieces by using a quick-change system of vulcanized collet heads that accommodate workpiece variations of ±0.5 mm (±0.020 in) diameter. Designed for use in stationary applications on machine tools or assembly pallets, Flex-Grip collet closers use Hardinge Flex-C collet heads or other brands of vulcanized collets to maintain a parallel grip on non-uniform parts, minimizing stock push back and draw-bar force. The system facilitates quick setup with automatic part centering and collet changes in seconds using a manual collet compression tool.

Flex-Grip collet closers can be used horizontally or vertically on machine tables, fixture plates, trunion tables and tombstone fixtures, singly or ganged together. They use a through-hole, double-acting, fixed-length design to accept long parts through the body of the closer. Two sizes with heights of just 70 mm (2.75 in) and 80.5 mm (3.17 in) accommodate 42 mm (1.65 in) or 65 mm (2.55 in) diameter collet heads to handle a part diameter range of 5 mm (.19 in) to 65 mm (2.55 in). The low-profile design gives more Z-axis clearance to accommodate a wider range of part sizes. The units are hydraulically actuated, requiring pressure to open or close, while holding the collet and part securely in a fixed position. Maximum input pressure is 2,000 psi.

Collet heads are available in round smooth, round serrated, hex serrated, square smooth and emergency styles. The vulcanized one-piece design prevents chips from entering the collet and spindle, while the rubber’s elasticity accommodates repeated open/close cycles to make the system ideal for quick-change applications. The Flex-C collet heads are guaranteed to a concentricity of 0.005 mm (0.0002 in) TIR.

Lexair is an authorized distributor of Hardinge Flex-C collet heads and can custom design single or multi-unit workholding systems utilizing Flex-Grip closers and vulcanized collet heads. www.lexairinc.com

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