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You’re Buying That New Lathe… Some Tooling Tips from Heimatec

Getting started with live tools…

A flexible tool adapter system can be a big time and money saver, if properly utilized and properly designed for maximum power transmission and accuracy in alignment.

When any metalworking manufacturing facility, whether captive or job shop, makes the substantial investment in a new lathe, they are often looking for ways to streamline the manufacturing process. The smarter you are when choosing the live tools for your job, the more efficient the machine becomes. Finding a supplier of live tools who offers high-quality, high-performance products that will allow you more flexibility on the first big job and into the future in your operation is the key.

The first tool feature to consider is the output needed. Standard ER output or quick-change? Do you need coolant through the tool capabilities? Does the tool meet your requirements for precision and performance, including the necessary torque output to complement the machine? Are the tools designed according to the specifications of the lathe manufacturer?

When you look at an ER output, does it give you enough flexibility or do you need a more flexible machining system that will allow you to use the same tool for different applications. If more flexibility is required, then you may want to consider tooling with a system that features adapters for a variety of tools without the cost of new complete toolholder assemblies for each tool needed. However, when you look at such systems, be sure they feature a rigid polygon drive system design to prevent power transmission and alignment issues. Such systems seem appealing, because the live tool stays in place and only the adapter and collet get changed out with each new tool. However, less sophisticated though inexpensive systems will compromise the accuracy of your work. At that point, the few dollars saved will mean very little, compared to the scrap and downtime resulting.

If changeover time is critical, such as when working on a “family of parts,” the option of a true “quick- change system” might be more

A true quick-change system can be set offline and quickly installed, but it must be considered in light of today’s AND tomorrow’s workload.

beneficial. Adapters can be set offline and ready to go for minimal changeover time.

When coolant-thru tools are selected, it is imperative you first check the machine specifications to be sure your tool is capable of handling the coolant pressure of the machine. In general, your internal coolant live tools should be able to handle 1000 psi or more.

If your live tool is constructed with large, high accuracy bearings, the tool will have excellent rigidity and premium cutting performance, with minimal runout. (0.0002” or 0.006mm is a desirable goal.) The bearings, combined with ground, paired and high accuracy gears, make for tools that are consistent and long lasting. Bore tolerance is absolutely key in maintaining proper bearing load and this factor should never be compromised.

In addition, you should consider the many applications that can be accomplished with the proper live tool. You can purchase speed increasers for higher rpm, gear reducers for added torque, adjustable angle tools for compound angles, multiple-spindle tools for additional capacity, or gear hobbing tools for spline or gear cutting. Most of those items are standard catalog devices, but one more piece of advice: never shy away from the custom tool, when appropriate and justified by the job you have in-shop today, as well as the ones you might have tomorrow. A good tooling supplier will work with you to produce custom tools at reasonable prices, but the supplier must be very reliable, so look for one with grinding, finishing and perhaps even heat treating in-house or very closely monitored, to do such work. Additionally, be certain the supplier has local support and tools can be repaired or reworked quickly and correctly.

The workpiece materials are always a driver. Those of you doing medical machining know this well. Buying a less expensive or lower featured tool to work cobalt chromium and titanium is a really bad idea, to be blunt.

Custom tools, though usually dedicated to a particular application, can be the best solution, IF the design and construction of the tool is solid and the application engineering and after-sale support is available locally to service it.

On a practical level, always check the supplier for inventory and source of supply. Today, when your customers are demanding faster response times and more cost off-loading, you can expect the same from your tooling supplier. Likewise, application and engineering assistance should be available from local sources to support your tool choices.

The bottom line is the bottom line for most of us today. However, always consider the future jobs when purchasing tooling systems for your new and existing lathes. What might seem a bargain might not be, after the first big job is completed.

DIN and ABEC standards are the norm in industry and your supplier should be willing to supply all necessary documentation on request. Shortcuts on quality are never, repeat never, worth the short-term savings.

I hope this short primer on tooling will assist you in equipping your next machines.

For addition information or inquiries, please contact:

Preben Hansen, President
HEIMATEC INC.
16 E. Piper Lane Suite 129
Prospect Heights, IL 60070
Phone:  847-749-0633
Fax:  847-749-2445
Email: info@heimatecinc.com
Website: www.heimatecinc.com

Connect with Heimatec Inc:  twitfbliytgplus

Heimatec is an international tooling manufacturer, based in Renchen, Germany. Its experienced staff is dedicated to providing customers the most innovative tooling technology possible. In 2010, the company opened Heimatec Inc. in Prospect Heights, IL, near Chicago, to serve its growing North American customer base with sales and service, plus an extensive inventory of products. Heimatec serves the auto, aero, medical, off-highway, rail, energy, woodworking, composites and other industries, as well as an ever-increasing number of machine tool OEM’s worldwide.

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HT Series… Fastest Quick-Change Tool Adapter System On The Market!

New Heimatec system reduces downtime, eliminates costly changeover; ideal for the busy job shop or production department

HT Series quick-change tool adapter system from Heimatec requires only a single clamping bolt turn for changeover. Click the image to view the animation.

Heimatec, a world leader in live tools, angle heads and multi-spindle drill heads, announces immediate availability of its newest development, the HT Series quick-change tool adapter system.  With the HT Series onboard, users do not need to change tooling, only the adapter and that action is accomplished with a single clamping bolt.  In this way, collet assemblies can be preset outside the machine tool, then simply swapped out as needed.

Whether a one-off job shop or long run production department, downtime on any machine tool is costly and the HT Series reduces changeover from an average of 15-20 minutes down to about that many seconds.  The tool head stays in the machine, so less probing is needed after the changeover, as well.

HT Series offers users a lower initial investment, minimized tooling time, reductions of tooling quantities and related costs, plus considerably lower inventories.  Further savings are realized by the high degree of flexibility in the system, the shortest gauge line of any system on the market, meaning no additional tool length consumed, standard coolant-through design, exceptional repeatability to 0.0002” and easier handling of the components, resulting in lower setup costs.

This new quick-change system is available from Heimatec with all common outputs, including collet, extended collet, collet with tension and expansion for tapping, weld-on, weld-on extended, arbor, hydro-chuck, indexable insert holder, shrink fit and blank/plug design.

Interested parties can see the HT Series in action on youtube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl7_978FQ94&NR=1

For further information and literature on this new product, please contact:

Preben Hansen, President
HEIMATEC INC.
16 E. Piper Lane Suite 129
Prospect Heights, IL 60070
Phone:  847-749-0633
Fax:  847-749-2445
Email: info@heimatecinc.com
Website: www.heimatecinc.com

Connect with Heimatec Inc:  twitfbliytgplus

Heimatec is an international tooling manufacturer, based in Renchen, Germany. Its experienced staff is dedicated to providing customers the most innovative tooling technology possible. In 2010, the company opened Heimatec Inc. in Prospect Heights, IL, near Chicago, to serve its growing North American customer base with sales and service, plus an extensive inventory of products. Heimatec serves the auto, aero, medical, off-highway, rail, energy, woodworking, composites and other industries, as well as an ever-increasing number of machine tool OEM’s worldwide.

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U-tec Flexible Tool Adapter System from Heimatec: IMTS Booth W-1986

Heimatec axial tool with built-in U-tec system

To everything, there is a REASON…turn, turn, turn…

Here’s your best reason to stop by our booth:

At this year’s IMTS, Heimatec will display its live tooling in a unique way…a live demo on a rotating machine tool turret.   Come and see the show!

Heimatec, a world leader in live tools, angle heads and multi-spindle drill heads, today announced immediate availability of its newest development, recently unveiled for IMTS.
U-tec is the company’s patented flexible tool adapter system that allows a standard ER output live tool to accept various adapters for different applications. This allows users the ability to have  quick changeover of tools on almost any lathe, using a single live tool, without having to commit to a quick-change system on the initial purchase.  A facemill adapter, for example, can be quickly positioned into the standard holder, without the need for a completely new base being installed.  This significantly reduces inventory costs as well as changeover time, for the busy shop.

Heimatec radial tool with built-in U-tec system

The U-tec system, according to Heimatec Inc. President Preben Hansen, “…represents a real improvement in lathe and mill/turn tooling design.  U-tec allows great user flexibility, while a polygonal drive system ensures extremely high power transmission stability and faster set-up with absolutely no loss in performance or accuracy, because the live tool base remains in position and only the adapter and collet get swapped.”

He went on to explain the unique collet nuts on the U-tec system have internal  threading for rigid mounting and that this new tool adapter system enables the actual cutting tool to be brought into closer proximity to the bearing, thus further improving performance in use.  This benefit results from the short and compact tool length design.  Internal coolant up to 2000 psi(140 bar) is provided standard.

Side lock adapter

Every adapter in the U-tec system comes complete with any necessary clamping nuts and adapters are immediately available in face mill style, ER extensions, side lock, shrink fit, hydraulic and blank.

The U-tec system is available for all major turning machines on the market today.  Heimatec currently manufactures over 10,000 live tool types.

Extended ER collet chuck adapter

For further information and literature on this new product, please contact:

Preben Hansen, President
HEIMATEC INC.
16 E. Piper Lane Suite 129
Prospect Heights, IL 60070
Phone:  847-749-0633
Fax:  847-749-2445
Email: info@heimatecinc.com
Website: www.heimatecinc.com

Connect with Heimatec Inc:  twitfbliytgplus

Heimatec is an international tooling manufacturer, based in Renchen, Germany. Its experienced staff is dedicated to providing customers the most innovative tooling technology possible. In 2010, the company opened Heimatec Inc. in Prospect Heights, IL, near Chicago, to serve its growing North American customer base with sales and service, plus an extensive inventory of products. Heimatec serves the auto, aero, medical, off-highway, rail, energy, woodworking, composites and other industries, as well as an ever-increasing number of machine tool OEM’s worldwide.

Face mill adapter

ER collet

ER collet chuck adapter

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