Swap toolholders in 30 seconds or less

Anyone who’s set up a Swiss-style automatic lathe knows that replacing cutting tools can be challenging, frustrating and time-consuming. The quarters are cramped, and the screws and inserts are often tiny. For shops applying through-coolant tools, the lines and hoses needed to plumb toolholders are harder to reach than those underneath a kitchen sink. Worse, they tend to snag long, stringy chips, presenting the possibility of a crash if a nest of chips gets caught between the main spindle and subspindle when transferring a part or when using some type of autoloader.

Arno-Werkzeuge USA LLC, Harvard, Illinois, introduced a line of Swiss-style tooling named the Arno Fast Change system to provide fast setups and reduce the downtime associated with in-process tool changes. The AFC holder also eliminates the need for the chip-snagging copper or plastic lines commonly used to plumb the toolholders.

The AFC system is available for Citizen A20 and L20 machines but will soon expand to include other makes and models of Swiss-style lathes. Image courtesy of Arno-Werkzeuge USA

The company does mean fast. “You can swap toolholders in 30 seconds or less,” said Martin Gardner, president of Arno USA. “It typically takes 15 to 20 minutes to prep another standard nonquick-change system with through coolant.”

The system features two pieces: a universal fixed stop that resides in the machine and a quick-change toolholder that slides into the end of the stationary block and easily locks in place. The plumbing is all internal—no hoses or fittings and nothing to catch chips or create interference problems.

“Quick-change toolholding systems are not a new concept for Swiss-style machining, but Arno has improved the concept with the features and capabilities included in our new AFC system,” Gardner said. “For example, the integral plumbing differentiates the system from others.”