Collets
Collets are used to clamp tools with a cylindrical clamping shank or cylindrical workpieces with high precision in machine tools. The collet is pressed or pulled into a conical holder. The tool or workpiece is precisely centred and securely clamped by the evenly arranged longitudinal slots of the collet.
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Collets - precise clamping for the highest demands in machining
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Collets are among the central components in metalworking and machining technology. They enable precise, secure and low-vibration clamping of tools or workpieces. Whether on milling machines or lathes - collets provide the necessary stability and accuracy at high speeds and loads.
What is a collet chuck?
A collet is a conical, slotted clamping device that is compressed by axial movement in a suitable collet chuck. This creates a force-fit connection between the collet and the tool or workpiece.
Collet chuck - the right holder
The collet chuck is the counterpart to the collet. It serves as an interface between the machine and the tool. The collet is pulled into the tapered chuck by tightening a union nut. This design ensures a tight fit, reduces vibrations and increases concentricity.
Collet chucks for milling machines - precision for every machining operation
Collet chucks for milling machines are essential for precise tool holding during milling work. They serve as an interface between the spindle of the milling machine and the clamped tool - e.g. drills, milling cutters or reamers - and ensure stable, secure and repeatable clamping. In contrast to rigid tool holders, collet chucks offer the advantage that they can cover a small diameter range. This means that a collet chuck can be combined with different collets in order to hold different tools - while maintaining high concentricity.
The ER collet chuck - the all-rounder in machining
The ER collet chuck (also known as DIN 6499) is the most widely used standard in industrial applications. It is characterised by its versatility, high clamping force and excellent concentricity properties. ER collets are available in various sizes (e.g. ER11, ER16, ER32, ER40) and can accommodate tools with different shank diameters within a clamping range.
Advantages of ER collets:
- Large clamping ranges (e.g. 1 mm clamping range per collet)
- High concentricity (typically < 10 µm)
- Versatile use: drilling, milling, reaming, engraving
- Compatible with numerous tool holders
- Low wear when used correctly
Areas of application for collets
Collets are used in many areas:
- Lathes
- Engraving machines
- Grinding machines
- Tool grinding machines
Tips for selection and application
- Check the accuracy of fit: The collet chuck must fit the shank diameter of the tool or workpiece exactly - too much clearance reduces concentricity.
- Regular maintenance: Collets and collet chucks should be cleaned regularly and checked for damage.
- Apply the correct clamping force: Clamping forces that are too high can damage the tool, forces that are too low result in insufficient hold.
- Use original accessories: For maximum precision, collets and chucks should come from the same manufacturer.
Conclusion:
Collets and collet chucks are indispensable precision components for modern manufacturing processes. They not only offer high accuracy and process reliability, but also flexibility in tool holding. ER collets in particular have established themselves as the standard in metalworking and offer a reliable solution for a wide range of applications.
Working with collets
In this video, we introduce you to our range of collets and show you how to insert a milling cutter into a collet system and mount it on the milling machine.
When working with collets, always insert the collet into the union nut first and then screw the collet with the union nut into the collet chuck. Then insert the milling cutter into the collet and tighten everything.