Shrink Fit Holders – Ideal for High-Speed Machining
A shrink fit toolholder is commonly used in high-speed machining (HSM) applications. Reason being is that it is designed to securely hold cutting tools such as end mills, drills, or reamers in place during HSM operations. The shrinking process consists of two main components:
Shrink Fit Holders: The toolholder body is made of H13 tool steel, and it is designed to hold the cutting tool securely and provide stability during machining.
Shrink Fit Unit or Machine: The heating coil on the shrink fit machine heats the shrink fit holder so the ID bore can expand allowing the cutter shank to be inserted into the ID bore of the holder.
High-Speed Machining Challenges
High-speed machining (HSM) presents several challenges that can be effectively addressed by using a shrink fit toolholder:
Vibration Damping: HSM generates significant cutting forces and vibrations, which can lead to poor surface finish, tool chatter, and reduced tool life. Shrink fit toolholders offer excellent damping properties, minimizing vibration and ensuring stable machining conditions.
Tool Runout: Maintaining low tool runout is critical in HSM to achieve precise dimensional accuracy and surface finish. Shrink fit toolholders provide high clamping forces and concentricity, minimizing tool runout and improving machining accuracy.
Heat Dissipation: HSM generates a considerable amount of heat due to high cutting speeds and feeds. Shrink fit toolholders efficiently transfer heat away from the cutting zone, reducing thermal damage to the tool and work piece and prolonging tool life.
Tool Stability: The high clamping forces exerted by shrink fit toolholders ensure excellent tool stability during HSM. This stability minimizes tool deflection and vibration, allowing for deeper cuts and higher feed rates without compromising machining quality.
Chip Evacuation: HSM produces large volumes of chips rapidly, which can hinder chip evacuation and lead to chip recutting and tool damage. Shrink fit toolholders provide ample clearance around the cutting tool, facilitating efficient chip evacuation and preventing chip buildup.
Machining Accuracy: HSM requires high levels of machining accuracy to meet tight tolerances and surface finish requirements. Shrink fit toolholders offer superior rigidity and precision, enabling consistent and accurate machining even at high speeds.
Tool Changes: In HSM, frequent tool changes may be necessary due to accelerated tool wear. Shrink fit toolholders allow for quick and easy tool changes, minimizing downtime and increasing productivity.
By addressing these challenges, shrink fit toolholders enhance the capabilities of high-speed machining processes, enabling manufacturers to achieve higher productivity, better quality, and reduced production costs.
Shrink Fit Features for Heat Shrink Precision
- H13 Heat Resistant hot working tool steel
- 52 to 54 Rc hardness
- Works excellent with HSS, carbide, and powder metals
- Balanced from the factory up to 25,000 RPM
- Available in three lengths for added flexibility
- Collet bore runout < .0001”
- Shrinks cutting tools in less than four seconds
See more about what heat shrink precision can do for you:
Videos: Why Manufacturers Choose Lyndex-Nikken Toolholders
Hear and see for yourself how Lyndex-Nikken quality toolholders provide optimal machining solutions for:
