If you’re the owner or manager in a machine manufacturing environment, you know how important spindle performance is. If your spindles fail to perform optimally, your machines will eventually malfunction. Therefore, focusing on keeping your spindles in tip-top condition is essential, as you don’t want to face any unnecessary downtime. Downtime is like throwing money down the drain because workers aren’t productive at that time, and money isn’t being made. And for businesses to thrive, they must be making money at all times, if possible. Here is an overview of some helpful tool-holding techniques for optimal spindle performance.
Shrink Fit Tool Holders
Shrink-fit tool holders are smart tool-holding mechanisms. This tool-holding technique works through the expansion of the thermal properties of the device. The device expands somewhat bigger than the shank of the tool. The tool is then placed inside this holder once the holder has cooled. Once placed inside, the tool holder reduces to slightly larger than its original size, creating extreme compression around the shank. Different sizes undergo different expansions, so you get to choose the correct size to ensure you always have a perfect fit for your machines. A perfect fit means you can rely on the holders whenever using the machine.
Mechanical Spindle Tightening
Mechanical spindle tightening is one of the simplest ways to ensure tools are held securely in place. It is one of the most basic ways to promote spindle compression as the holder performs it. This technique has limitations; the main downside is a limited number of pressure points. Therefore, it’s not as reliable as other tool-holding techniques.
Hydraulic Tool Holders
If you’re looking for a tool holder that creates significantly more pressure and holds power, then you might want to look into a hydraulic tool holder. This type of tool holder is tightened by the pressurized liquid placed inside the holder’s bore. This creates a reliable grip that prevents separation.
When Modifications Are Necessary
Depending on the types of tool-holding techniques you opt to use, you might need to perform some modifications. Modifications can customize the holders to suit your specific needs. Here are some examples:
Haimer Safe-Lock
The Haimer Safe-Lock system is trademarked, and with this system, special drive keys placed into the tool holder can prevent spindles from separating from the machine. The Haimer Safe-Lock does exactly what its name says: It safely uses a screw to lock the tool into place, keeping it secure until it’s manually removed. This system is more costly than other modifications, but most machine operators rave about its massive effectiveness.
ToughGRIP Shanks
This modification system is another reliable shank modification that customers love. This system works by increasing the shank’s friction, making it easier for the tool holder to grip the tool without prematurely releasing it. Users report that it is comparable to the Haimer Safe-Lock and that both modifications are superior to a shrink-fit tool holder alone.
Weldon Flats
This is yet another type of modification that can create added strength for a tool holder. It significantly increases its grip on the tool, preventing the unexpected release of tools. The Weldon flats work by offering support via a strategically placed screw. This screw is placed to provide a greater grip, keeping the tool firmly in place. Some machine operators feel this method is outdated, but it works wonders for others, so it’s still used in many manufacturing settings.
Choosing a Tool Holder and Modification
Sometimes, tool holders are sufficient alone. However, choosing the correct tool holder is important if you expect it to properly hold the tool. If a modification is necessary, then it’s also necessary to choose the correct modification. If you fail to choose either the best tool holder or the modification, you might struggle to find the perfect fit. If you’re new to choosing tool holders, it’s a good idea to ask for assistance from an expert. If needed, you might want an experienced person to choose the tool holder and the modification. If the right tool holder is chosen in the first place, modifications are often unnecessary. However, some machine operators like to have modifications available if needed.
Combining the Proper Tools with the Proper Modifications
Just as it is important to choose the correct tools, it’s also necessary to know which tool holders combine best with the different modifications. This will depend on the particular tools that your machines are required to use. You could waste money and time if you choose the proper tool holder and the incorrect modifications. This is why it’s important to consult with an expert in the area to get things right the first time.
Assess Your Tools Before Shopping
Before considering purchasing tool holders or modifications, you must assess the tools and machines you need holders for. You can compare your machines and tools with devices that have already been fitted with tool holders to get an idea of which ones work best. You can read reviews, ask other machine operators, and watch online tutorials if necessary. The idea is to choose the most effective tool holders available, and if you need modifications, then choosing the best support for your tool holders is necessary.
As you can see, proper tool holding is important for optimal spindle performance. Without properly performing spindles, your machines can’t function accurately. Therefore, you must ensure the tools used on them are secure and high-quality. If you can’t rely on the tool holders, you will start experiencing problems. So, by working on finding and implementing the best tool-holding techniques, you can ensure that your spindles are performing to their full capacity as often as possible.