Ever since man first picked up a rock and used it as a hammer, our ability to hold tools hasn’t come too far. Even in the most technically and mechanically advanced era the world has ever seen, we still find ourselves holding tools by brute mechanical force. The machining industry is notoriously slow when it comes to adapting to new ways of doing old tasks. Toolholding for machining centers is no exception. Isn’t it time to grasp a toolholding technology that is proven, dependable and efficient?

If you do high speed, or high torque machining you should seriously consider the benefits of shrink fit technology. Your investment will pay for itself many times over. With shrink fit toolholders vibration is reduced and cutting is noticeably faster and smoother due in part to the lack of set screws and component tolerance variances. Manufacturing times can be reduced while maintaining the quality and accuracy demanded by today’s competitive markets.

How it Works
Shrink fit uses the expansion and contraction properties of metal to provide extremely powerful tool holding. The bore is slightly smaller than the tool shank, and when heated it expands just enough to allow the tool to be inserted. When it cools, the contraction of the metal holds the cutting tool with 10,000 lbs of force. The shrink fit machine above takes care of all these tasks in a compact and efficient manner. Here’s how:

Safe, controlled induction heat from the shrink fit machine expands the inside diameter of the tool holder bore so the tool shank can be inserted.

Automatic air cooling contracts the bore to hold the tool with up to 10,000 lbs of holding power creating an extremely rigid connection between the spindle and the cutting tool.

Here’s a partial list of benefits:

• 10,000 lbs. Holding Power
• T.I.R. 0.0002″ max
• Change tools in as little as 6 seconds
• Pre-set tools off-line
• Eliminate collets and nuts
• No need to use torque wrenches or vises
• Works with carbide and HSS tools
• Rigid hold improves carbide tool life and reduced tooling costs
• Increase spindle bearing life
• Thin profile for machining hard to reach areas