"Workholding solutions for turning centers need to be fast to set up so machine downtime is minimized, provide high precision and gripping force to help ensure machining accuracy and allow for a wide clamping range to accommodate different workpiece sizes," said a Lyndex-Nikken spokesperson.
Lyndex-Nikken engineered workholding solutions are designed for maximum flexibility, productivity and efficiency. According to the company, Lyndex-Nikken quick change flex collets (QCFC) provide: quick set-up time as collets can be switched to any size within seconds and not minutes; high accuracy of .0004" or better; wide clamping range allowing workpieces to be up to +/- 0.031" from nominal diameter; easy mount design; high RPM; compact design; durable, wear resistant collets; and increased gripping force as the collet collapses parallel to the work piece and not angular.
QCFC are suited for a wide range of applications, including high volume, low mix production applications for bar feeding and robot loading as well as low volume, high mix job shop applications for varying size and shape materials.
Lyndex-Nikken QCFC come in a wide range of smooth collets, serrated collets and hex collets. All QCFC are precision paired before the rubber vulcanization process to optimize roundness and cylindrical accuracy. In addition, they are constructed of case hardened steel, which provides optimal performance due to wear and abrasion.
Smooth collets are used mostly on the subspindle of the lathe since the tooling needs to get as close as possible to the workpiece. For that reason, the smooth collet is shorter than other collets. The ground cam relief allows for precision repeatability and accuracy of .0004" or better, the company reported.
"Serrated collets are used on the main spindle of a lathe, so clamping force is essential to securely hold and grip the workpiece or tool," said the spokesperson. "Serrated collets have hardened serrations and an enlarged surface of this longer collet. This provides strong gripping strength for aggressive roughing of material and is ideal for bar feeding applications. Lyndex-Nikken offers longer gripping lengths on our serrated collets than our smooth collets-this provides much stronger gripping force."
Hex collets are precision broached to optimize centering of hex bar stock. Hex collets are suited for bar feeding of any hex material.
Lyndex-Nikken offers a full workholding solution of QCFC and quick change chucks (QCC). There are two types of QCC: pull back chucks or dead length modular chucks. Both QCC are constructed of wear resistant hardened chromium steel, and the small nose diameter allows for increased tool clearance. "Installation is quick and easy as switching from a 3-jaw chuck to a collet chuck takes less than 10 minutes, and it only takes 10 seconds to swap collets," said the spokesperson. "QCC, pull back chucks and dead length modular chucks are also designed for high accuracy with a maximum gripping range of 0.062 in., which accommodates oversized or undersized material. High RPM makes them both ideal for production flexibility. While both QCC have a lot in common, the differences between the them are in the body design."
Pull back chucks are optimized for maximum rigidity due to the one-piece body design. This makes it possible to rough and finish the same as with a 3-jaw chuck. Pull back chucks have a removable backstop, included as standard, for through-material applications. With a 1/16 collet collapse range, the pull back chuck is suited for bar feeding applications.
Dead length modular chucks have a two-piece modular design allowing for modular flexibility of the collet chuck for variable machine taper mounts with the same series and reduced weight during assembly. Taper-to-taper design provides easy installation with maximum accuracy. A stationary removable backstop is included as standard.
"Key to using both pull back chucks and dead length modular chucks is knowing how to get the draw screw measurements as well as the assembly," said the spokesperson. "Specifically, you need to know how to thread the draw screw, take draw screw design measurements and attach the modified draw screw to the base of the chuck body. It is the same process for either QCC."
For more information contact:
Lyndex-Nikken
1468 Armour Blvd.
Mundelein, IL 60060
847-367-4800
sales@lyndexnikken.com
www.lyndexnikken.com