Tooling system matches proper toolholder to application
The HSK-A125 tooling system from BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc., Hoffman Estates, Ill., (www.bigkaiser.com) is for machine tools, such as Makino’s T2 and T4 models, that can cut large titanium and other difficult-to-machine workpieces on massive tables.
The A125 lineup is an expansion of the company’s HSK Form A program and is available on request. The lineup features many toolholder types, including HMC and Mega Double Power milling chucks up to 2 " in diameter, Mega ER/Mega N/Mega E collet chucks, shrink-fit holders, facemill adapters, Kaiser KAB adapters and Mega Synchro tapping holders. Through-coolant capability is standard, and most holders have a sealing arrangement for directing coolant through the tool or around the tool periphery.
“Selecting the proper toolholder for the application is the key,” said Alan T. Miller, the company’s engineering manager, product manager-BIG. “Our HSK-A125 tooling system provides the variety that ensures you have the right toolholder for the job, and the rigidity and precision to get the job done right. HSK-A125 is quickly becoming very popular in the aerospace industry.”
Toolholder extension for difficult-to-access areas on workpieces
Schunk Inc., Morrisville, N.C., (www.schunk.com) offers the Tribos SVL toolholder extension to machine difficult-to-access areas on a workpiece. Runout accuracy is better than 0.003mm.
The extension can be combined with various toolholders, including the company’s Tendo hydraulic expansion holders, Celsio heat-shrink holders, Tribos holders and collet toolholders. When used in connection with Tendo hydraulic expansion holders or Tribos-R polygonal holders, vibration damping occurs for the overall system, the company reports. Extensions are available in clamping diameters from 0.3mm to 20mm and 1/8 " to ¾ ".
Shrink-fit toolholder series expanded
OSG Tap & Die Inc., Glendale Heights, Ill., (www.osgtool.com) says its expanded HY-PRO series shrink-fit toolholders are for high-speed and high-precision applications.
The expanded lineup includes the HY-PRO balancing machine, which is a modular system for balancing toolholders and grinding wheels to maximize machine tool potential and impart fine surface finishes at high spindle speeds. The company also offers collet chucks with vibration damping features to reportedly extend machine, spindle and tool life.
Air chucks have special top tooling
Northfield Precision Instrument Corp., Island Park, N.Y., (www.northfield.com) custom designed four Model 450 air chucks to enhance a customer’s finishing efficiency.
The four air chucks, with special top tooling, are mounted on a pallet that installs on the machine bed. The machine’s pick-and-place arm takes the parts after they are machined in the two front chucks and transfers them to the rear two chucks for finishing. All hosing is routed under the plate for actuation of the chuck jaws.
Power drawbar offers numerous advantages
The OTT-JAKOB SK power drawbar from Advanced Machine & Engineering Co., Rockford, Ill., (www.ame.com) provides power-off clamping, an intensified spring force, a compact design with minimal rotating mass and no load on the spindle bearings during tool change.
The cutting tool is held in the spindle taper with gripper fingers, which are pulled into the taper with the drawbar’s spring pack. A patented intensifying mechanism multiplies the pull-in force, according to the company. The spring force applied to the clamping sleeve pushes the balls outward. The cam inside the spindle closes the gripper fingers and the tool is then securely locked. Loss or reduction in hydraulic pressure will not release the tool. The power-off design requires pressure applied to the hydraulic piston and transmitted through the rod to push the clamping sleeve down.
Related Glossary Terms
- chuck
chuck
Workholding device that affixes to a mill, lathe or drill-press spindle. It holds a tool or workpiece by one end, allowing it to be rotated. May also be fitted to the machine table to hold a workpiece. Two or more adjustable jaws actually hold the tool or part. May be actuated manually, pneumatically, hydraulically or electrically. See collet.
- collet
collet
Flexible-sided device that secures a tool or workpiece. Similar in function to a chuck, but can accommodate only a narrow size range. Typically provides greater gripping force and precision than a chuck. See chuck.
- computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM)
Use of computers to control machining and manufacturing processes.
- coolant
coolant
Fluid that reduces temperature buildup at the tool/workpiece interface during machining. Normally takes the form of a liquid such as soluble or chemical mixtures (semisynthetic, synthetic) but can be pressurized air or other gas. Because of water’s ability to absorb great quantities of heat, it is widely used as a coolant and vehicle for various cutting compounds, with the water-to-compound ratio varying with the machining task. See cutting fluid; semisynthetic cutting fluid; soluble-oil cutting fluid; synthetic cutting fluid.
- facemill
facemill
Milling cutter for cutting flat surfaces.
- gang cutting ( milling)
gang cutting ( milling)
Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.
- grinding
grinding
Machining operation in which material is removed from the workpiece by a powered abrasive wheel, stone, belt, paste, sheet, compound, slurry, etc. Takes various forms: surface grinding (creates flat and/or squared surfaces); cylindrical grinding (for external cylindrical and tapered shapes, fillets, undercuts, etc.); centerless grinding; chamfering; thread and form grinding; tool and cutter grinding; offhand grinding; lapping and polishing (grinding with extremely fine grits to create ultrasmooth surfaces); honing; and disc grinding.
- milling
milling
Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.
- tap
tap
Cylindrical tool that cuts internal threads and has flutes to remove chips and carry tapping fluid to the point of cut. Normally used on a drill press or tapping machine but also may be operated manually. See tapping.
- tapping
tapping
Machining operation in which a tap, with teeth on its periphery, cuts internal threads in a predrilled hole having a smaller diameter than the tap diameter. Threads are formed by a combined rotary and axial-relative motion between tap and workpiece. See tap.
- toolholder
toolholder
Secures a cutting tool during a machining operation. Basic types include block, cartridge, chuck, collet, fixed, modular, quick-change and rotating.
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