Toolholding

A balanced toolholder is essential when high-speed machining.

The advantages of dual- and triple-contact toolholding systems for high-speed machining.

The use of shrink-fit toolholders continues to grow, mainly because, compared to conventional holders, they secure tools more tightly and extend the life of cutting tools. Article includes an overview of available systems and comments from users of shrink-fit holders.

Discussion of different types of toolholders for lathes, including collets, drill chucks, bushings and keyless chucks. Author discusses best holder for different applications, based on his experiences.

Modular toolholding systems save shops money in several ways, according to this article. By making it possible to use the same tools on several machines, for example, a modular toolholding system can allow a shop to reduce its tool inventory. This article explains many other savings in addition to tool inventory reduction.

A toolholder that uses metal's natural thermal expansion and contraction to hold tools does not suffer from many of the drawbacks of other toolholding mechanisms, according to this article. In addition to outlining the benefits of this "shrink-fit" toolholding system, the article also explains the technology and describes how shops have benefited from it.

HSK toolholders were designed with high-speed machining in mind. This article explains the features of the toolholder that make it perform well in modern machining centers at high spindle rpm. It also discusses the toolholder's handling and maintenance requirements.

This article makes the argument that ball-drive quick-change tapholders, which transfer torque through hardened-steel balls fitted into mating detents, are more reliable than tang-drive units. The technology behind ball-drive tapholders and the design's benefits are explained.

Some North American end users have been disappointed in the performance of their HSK toolholders. This article discusses why and looks at ways the toolholder design developed in Europe for high-speed milling may need to be adapted for machining practices in the United States.

The steep-taper toolholder shank design remains popular, but it needs updating to keep pace with modern machining practices. This report suggests minor design changes that these researchers say might overcome steep tapers' limitations.