For situations where parts are small and space is tight inside sliding head machines, a new holding system offers fast and easy tool changes and a wide variety of cutting options.

Introduced by Sandvik Coromant, the QS Micro is designed for use in many industry segments, including automotive, aerospace, medical and general engineering. It was developed specifically for machining small workpieces (up to 40 mm in diameter, but normally around 20 mm) in smaller Swiss lathes, noted Hampus Jemt, Sandvik Coromant's global product manager for small part machining and threading. Inside these machines, space is "very limited, so it's difficult for operators to reach the tools," Jemt said. "Therefore, in many cases, they are not able to change the tool insert without taking the tool out of the machine. So the main idea with this system is that you easily can remove the cutting head, change the insert outside (the machine) and put it back in."

According to Sandvik Coromant, the QS Micro features an extensive range of cutting heads for general turning, parting and grooving, and threading. These heads attach to rectangular shaft adapters in cross-sectional sizes ranging from 10 mm × 10 mm to 20 mm × 20 mm, as well as equivalent inch sizes. Shank adapters can fit both rightand left-hand tools. A side lock holding mechanism that firmly attaches heads to adapters minimizes vibration during cutting operations.

QS Micro component grades and geometries are available for all application areas, according to the company. Materials that can be cut include steel, stainless steel, hardened steel, cast iron, non-ferrous materials and heat-resistant super alloys.

The components of the QS Micro system allow a large number of possible configurations, with different cutting heads fitting into different adapters as well as into the same adapter. This modularity "is a good thing if you want to limit your tool inventory," Jemt noted.

Jemt also points out that cutting head changes can be made quickly, which reduces machine downtime. And when a cutting head is removed for indexing, he said, the position of the cutting edge will be within ±3 μm of the previous edge position when the head is put back in place. This helps to ensure excellent accuracy and repeatability from one operation to the next.

For better chip control and longer tool life, all QS Micro shank adapters feature a through-coolant design that allows easy connection to the cutting heads, whose ports deliver coolant to the cutting area. A coolant line can be connected to the rear or side of the shank adapter.

Though there are several similar products available in the market, Jemt points to the QS Micro's index precision as a distinguishing feature. "We can ensure that the cutting edge won't be flying around to different locations," he said.

The QS Micro holding system includes a variety of different components that allow quick cutting head changes in tight spaces. Sandvik Coromant.