Product category:
Chucks and collets for rotational work
News Release from: Hardinge Machine Tools | Subject: HQC Quick-Change Collet Systems
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 14 August 2007
Collets offer quicker lathe changeovers
A range of quick changeover, flexible collets can accommodate bar stock variation and provide the opportunity for increased spindle speeds.
Hardinge Machine Tools' HQC Quick-Change Collet Systems offer faster changeover than standard collets and more flexibility than master collets and pads Hardinge also said that the collets offer long life, can accommodate bar stock variation and provide the opportunity for increased spindle speeds
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 6 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The flexible collet head offers true parallel gripping with the collet segments running parallel to the stock even when there are variations in the stock size.
The collet head has a working range of +/-1/64in (say +/-0.4mm).
Features also include the following.
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* Parallel clamping minimizes stock 'push back' and requires less draw bar force than conventional collets.
* Higher feed rates and spindle speeds are possible.
* Exerts more gripping force and achieves greater concentricity control than standard collets, master collets and pads, or three-jaw chucks.
Hardinge HQC Quick-Change Collet Systems can be changed from one size collet to another size in less than 20s.
This is accomplished by using a manual or hydraulic changing wrench.
The wrench compresses the collet, allowing for quick and easy removal, and quick installation of a different size collet head.
When used in multi-spindle automatics, the fast collet changeover can be multiplied by six or eight spindles.
Because the system requires less draw bar force to adequately grip the bar, it reduces the breakage of closing fingers and pins common when the bar varies beyond the range of a standard solid collet or master collet with pads.
HQC collets are available for multi-spindle automatic screw machines, Hardinge collet-ready CNC lathes and chucking lathes.
The HQC collet heads are designed with special replaceable inserts that form a seal while holding the collet segments together.
The seals protect the spindle, collet body and draw tube from chips and coolant.
Unlike other quick-change collet systems, the HQC patented slot-seal system eliminates the need to return the collet to the manufacturer to have the seals changed or re-vulcanized.
The seal (inserts) can be replaced in the shop, by the machine operator, further reducing operating costs.
HQC Quick-Change Collet Systems can be used on chucking lathes to replace bulky three-jaw chucks.
The reduction in weight and the unique, efficient design of the HQC System allow you to increase the spindle speed without any concern for centrifugal forces.
Hi-tech cutting tools, along with faster speeds and feeds, can boost your productivity.
Chucking forces are higher than jaw chucks and even higher than solid standard and master collets.
The interferences associated with jaw chucks are nonexistent with the clean contours of the Hardinge system.
If you're thinking about adapting your chucking lathe to accept collets for high-precision work, said Hardinge, then consider the HQC Quick-Change Collet System instead of a conventional spindle adapter (collet adaptation chuck) that uses conventional collets.
The HQC system is shorter than standard collet adapters, gaining more working area.
Machining closer to the spindle results in better total indicator reading (TIR) on finished parts.
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