Collet Chuck Design Optimizes Machine Tool Performance

To solve manufacturers’ challenges of having poor surface finish on workpieces, or having to frequently change collet chucks, which increases downtime, Lyndex-Nikken has designed its SK collet chucks with accuracy and precision in mind. The design of the SK collet chuck provides increased rigidity and gripping force as well as the ability to reach tight spaces via its narrow body design, making it ideal for machining complex parts, such as molds and dies.

A custom heat treatment, grinding and slotting process enables Lyndex-Nikken to guarantee a 5 µm runout tolerance for its “on size” fractional and metric size precision collets. Moreover, a titanium nitride bearing nut improves rigidity — the gold ring reduces collet damage and micro vibration with the collet flange and eliminates friction with the collet. It improves the cutting rigidity and the quality of the cut compared to traditional collet chucks, according to the company.

The taper angle also provides increased gripping power. The SK collet chuck’s 8-degree collet sits deeper in the body of the holder, providing double the clamping force and precision than traditional 16-degree collets.

Lydex-Nikken’s SK collet chuck is versatile, applicable for all milling, drilling, reaming and rigid tapping applications. It covers sizes from 0.028-1" and offers 0.0002" or less concentricity with one-size collets. Moreover, it’s said to be 2X more accurate than ER collet chucks, within 10X optimized repeatability.

SK collet chucks are also available in Taper Plus which combines taper accuracy with flange rigidity. Additionally, SK collet chucks are available with coolant thru options — a high-pressure coolant collet system that allows for higher accuracy and gripping torque.