We are the typical job shop, super high mix low volume, machine just about every material you can imagine. So naturally we have just about every type of holder under the sun, with the exception of no shrink fit. Hydraulic chucks we have found great for tight tol finish work, but have had pull out issues when roughing, ER are sufficient for anything semi loose tolerance (+/-.001 or more), Side lock kind of a go to for roughing, however to date the absolute best milling chucks we have come across are the emerge FPC holders. Pricey but not much different than hydraulic prices. Interchangeable collets, no special fixtures for swapping tools or collets out, they have basically zero runout and have never had a tool pull, additionally we get 3-5X tool life over a sidelock or ER collet. The difference it has made on some of our more troublesome jobs has been stellar. If we were not constantly swapping tools and collets i'd probably go shrink fit but for us right now it doesn't make sense. Also emuge support is pretty nice to have for optimization, they know what they are doing over there.
Thank you my friend, that was incredibly helpful! Over the last few days of research and talking with application engineers, I've decided to use milling chucks for all of our roughing (likely the Hi-Power Milling Chuck from Big Daishowa) and hydraulic toolholders for all of our finishing or long-reach applications (likely a few products from ETP).It actually does not require the weldon, the one we use does not, that is an option they offer, however in my experience MOST applications do not require that. I would reccomend these for finish ops as well as the roughing.
I had never heard of the FPC product, but I'm going to contact Emuge and see what they offer. It seems like a good alternative to the Diashowa product for roughing operations. My only concern is that it requires tools with a Weldon flat, whereas hydraulic toolholders almost always forbid this. Thus I would need to control which tools go where. When it comes to students using things, the less variation I can have the better. But still, I'll see what Emuge says.
Cheers!
I have one of the Albrecht-branded FPC-type chucks and it grips extremely securely. The problem is that the collet can be extremely difficult to release. I have seen somewhere on PM folks having the same issue, which may be why Albrecht no longer makes them AFAIK. At a minimum, a torque wrench key would be mandatory in a multi-user environment.Yes, the collets can actually break as they have the hardened worm end of the collet. We have only had 1 get stuck (which broke the collet) to release. Emgue rep came to the shop and picked it up, fixed it and brought us back the chuck with a new collet and endmill the next day. I have since put a very small amount of the grease that comes with indexable screws on ONLY the thread/worm of the collet since then have not had any issues. It helps to not let them sit on a shelf for weeks on end with an endmill installed especially after running them with coolant, that is how the one we had got stuck.
It actually does not require the weldon, the one we use does not, that is an option they offer, however in my experience MOST applications do not require that. I would reccomend these for finish ops as well as the roughing.Man thank you! I actually talked to the North American sales lead for Emuge today, he was very helpful. I've asked him to quote a smattering of products for us.
Man thank you! I actually talked to the North American sales lead for Emuge today, he was very helpful. I've asked him to quote a smattering of products for us.We have found them to be just as good as any hydraulic holder we have for finishing. I actually think they grip the tool much better also. Runout would be comparable to any quality hydraulic holder. Hey Micmac1, I apologize that I never replied to your comment directly, but thank you so much! Emuge actually gave us three FPC chucks and a few collets just because. I haven't done anything crazy with them yet, but I already love them and I'm buying a few more!
I'm curious about your suggestion to use the Emuge product for finishing too. Have you found that they actually perform better that a good hydraulic chuck for finishing? Or certain kinds of finishing? Everything I've heard is that hydraulic chucks have superior dampening properties, which I feel could be useful -- particularly for long-reach tools.
But I could be wrong! It seems I'm learning new things every day because of this thread and all the calls it leads me to.
Thank you!
Regardless who you choose, I will caution you on roughing, especially dynamic type toolpaths that use the side of the endmill. They will pull out every easily compared to even just a regular collet chuck. You can't beat a milling chuck for roughing, and some are quite accurate.Milling chucks do have a great reputation for strong grip. But also for longer gage lengths. Unless you have a higher end machine with great drawbar force and a stiff spindle a short side lock will outperform the best of milling chucks.
Hey Micmac1, I apologize that I never replied to your comment directly, but thank you so much! Emuge actually gave us three FPC chucks and a few collets just because. I haven't done anything crazy with them yet, but I already love them and I'm buying a few more!
I love the opportunity to introduce our would-be engineers to real-world products like this. It's stuff like that (not using cheap-as-possible tooling) that will help them make wise decisions when they step into a real job and have a tricky job to figure out.
Thanks!
Collets play a vital role in securing workpieces or cutting tools in place, especially in CNC machines, lathes, and milling equipment.
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With multiple types and sizes available, selecting the right collet and collet chucks for your machining operations can significantly improve the quality of your output and reduce operational downtime.
If you are a manufacturer or workshop looking for reliable machining accessories like collet chucks , understanding the factors involved in collet selection is the first step toward achieving optimal performance.
A collet is a subtype of chuck that forms a collar around the object to be held and exerts a strong clamping force when tightened.
Unlike jawed chucks, collets offer higher concentricity and better grip on cylindrical tools or parts, making them ideal for precision applications.
Collets are commonly used for:
Before diving into selection criteria, it’s important to understand the various types of collets available:
Each type is compatible with specific collet chucks, so compatibility is crucial.
The most basic but critical factor is the size of the tool or workpiece. Collets are designed to hold a specific diameter, usually within a limited clamping range.
Using the wrong size can result in poor grip or damage to both the tool and the collet chuck.
Harder materials like steel may require collets with stronger gripping forces, while softer materials like plastic or aluminum can use lighter tension collets.
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Choosing the wrong type can lead to slippage or deformation of the workpiece.
Different operations—such as drilling, milling, or turning—have varying requirements:
If your application demands tight tolerances and minimal runout, investing in high-precision collets like hydraulic or shrink-fit collets is worthwhile. ER collets are generally good for moderate runout needs.
Determine if you are using the collet for tool holding (e.g., drills, end mills) or work holding (e.g., rods, tubes). Some collets are better suited for one function over the other.
A collet chuck is the mechanism that holds and tightens the collet in place. It’s essential that the collet and collet chuck are compatible—not just in size, but also in taper angle, locking mechanism, and machine interface.
For instance, if you’re using ER collets, you’ll need an ER collet chuck with a compatible clamping nut and wrench. Improper pairing can cause misalignment, tool breakage, or even machine damage.
Even the best collet can underperform if not properly maintained. Make sure to:
Replace collets periodically to maintain machining accuracy.
Choosing the right collet and collet chucks is a critical step in ensuring high-quality machining outcomes.
By considering your tool size, application type, runout tolerance, and compatibility, you can significantly enhance your productivity and reduce tool wear..
Invest in the right collet system today for smoother operations, tighter tolerances, and better finishes in all your machining tasks.
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