Source: ETP Transmission Inc.
ETP Transmission presents its Hydro-Fix Swiss products, which are hydraulic, high-precision clamping tool holders for Swiss lathes. These tool holders fit into a machine’s existing static tool blocks and are well suited for static front and back machining operations, providing consistency, accuracy and fast cutting tool changes.
A tool holder can accommodate up to 26 different shank sizes using reducing sleeves. These are designed to accurately center the tool in the block of a machine. The Hydro-Fix Swiss products are designed to drill deeper, use larger tool shanks and have a lower profile than ER collets. Other drilling tools can also be used, such as boring bars, reamers, forming tools and indexable tools – which often have larger shanks.
Because the combination of hydraulic tool holders and sleeves only grips a specific shank size per sleeve, less pressure is required to grip the tool shank (0.00045 inches). This can provide the user with more gripping power than an ER collet chuck and reduce the risk of runout.
ETP uses an activation screw that is tightened with a simple T-handle torque wrench, providing faster and safer tool changes compared to ER collet holders. Hydraulic gripping of the shank absorbs and reduces tool vibration, improves surface finish and increases the ability to meet tight part tolerances, the company says. The torque wrench clicks once when the screw reaches the appropriate torque, eliminating over-torqueing and stripping threads. A puller helps remove oily sleeves when changing tools in the machine.
There are hydraulic versions that are activated from the front of the tool holder on machine blocks with blind holes. On machines with through-hole blocks, some units are activated from the back, away from the cutting edge of the tool. Some units expand hydraulically in the machine block and simultaneously grip the tool shank. These units center the tool in the bore of the machine block, which can help prevent runout errors.
The tool holders can reduce cycle times by eliminating the need to travel to deep hole stations. Users also benefit from safer, easier and faster tool changes compared to ER collets. The company says cutting tool changes can be completed in as little as 30 seconds with greater accuracy and repeatability than typical ERs. Users can avoid touching by using the integrated backgauge adjustment screw, which can reduce tool change times by up to 4 minutes per tool. The clamping units are available in front and rear activated versions. ETP says it can also provide high-pressure tool holders with through-coolant for sub-spindle facing for almost any make and model of machine.
