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breaking news

NEW Video!!! Masa Introduces New Microconic Products for 2022 - 2023

10/10/2022

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OCEANSIDE, CA.  - At IMTS 2022 we where visited by the great folks at GIE Media, Inc. who publish Today's Medical Developments, Aerospace Manufacturing and Design and Today’s eMobility. They asked Matt Saccomanno, the inventor of the Microconic system to give them an on-camera overview of our products and how they work.
 
As you probably already know, Masa’s Microconic Cartridge and Collet assembly is designed to vector the chucking force directly over the holding surface in your Swiss type CNC screw machine. This means that the chucking force can be reduced while at the same time the holding power is increased. This opens up the possibility of shifting part operations from the main to the sub-spindle and dramatically reducing cycle time. 20% ~ 40% cycle time reduction is commonly achieved.​

At IMTS 2022, we expanded our Microconic line of swiss type CNC machine workholding. The new push type F15M5 and F16M5 cartridges replace the standard TF15 and TF16 collets in your CNC spindle. This enables you to use the newly introduced Microconic UM5 collet series with the Micrograd Dial Wrench to achieve superior stability with precise, calibrated, repeatable setting of collet closure. The off-the-shelf Microconic system concentricity of the cartridge and collet system combination is guaranteed to be within 5µm (0.0002") in production use.

Both the F15M5 and F16M5 cartridges are a micro-workholding system for use in high precision, small diameter CNC turning applications which enables you to move more work to the sub spindle operations and reduce cycle time. ​

The F15M5 cartridge is compatible with spindles that accept Schaublin F15 76-580, E120, Southwick & Meister TF15 and Hardinge TF15 / 4607 collets, while the F16M5 cartridge is compatible with spindles that accept Schaublin F16 76-1076, E1212, Southwick & Meister TF16 and Hardinge TF16 / 4609 collets.

Along with the new smaller cartridges comes a comprehensive series of UM5 collets that are ideally suited for small diameter part sizes ranging from 0.2mm/.008" to 5.5mm/.217" in diameter. These are available in regular type UM5 collets as well as all three types of Microconic's T, V and W type Over-Grip collets. Masa Tool offers the most unique variety of over-grip collets in the industry.

And yes, if you listened closely to the video, you heard correctly, Matt spilled the beans on the new product that we'll be releasing  next: The F13M5 Cartridge.  And after that, we're going to heed that advise of "go big or go home.  Yea, that was a spoiler alert. 
Masa Tool Microconic TF20 TF15 TF13 TF16 Cartridge  Micrograd Dial Wrench
The things that seems to excite Swiss machinists the most is our Micrograd™ wrench. The Micrograd Dial Wrenches provides a method of precisely setting clamping pressure on both the regular Microconic collets and on all series of Microconic over-grip collets. It can be adjusted in an infinite number of increments between the metric graduations of 0,02mm and inch/imperial graduations of .001" With the Micrograd Dial you can document the micrometer-adjust collet closure in your set up plan so it's done the same every time, regardless of operator skill and without relying on "feel".
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Microconic holds a Firm Grip without Damaging the Threads on Bone Screws

3/16/2022

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Microconic UM10 Collets regular, over-grip
Microconic standard collets on the left and over-grip collets on the right are ideal for machining bone screws in Swiss Style CNC Machines (UM10 Collet series shown here)
The  standard Microconic collets will  help with bone screws and other bone implants by allowing a firm grip on the threaded exterior without causing damage, and yet holding it so much more rigidly that they will be able to do heavy operations in the sub spindle. This includes operations like blind hole broaching. 

Set ups are quicker and more repeatable with Microconic. With the Microgram Dial Wrench You can document the micrometer-adjust collet closure in your set up plan so it's done the same every time, regardless of operator skill and without relying on "feel".
​Calibrate spindle accuracy with the Microconic cartridge as a precision cylinder gauge. When that is good, EVERY Microconic collet will run within .0002" TIR -- no fiddling and swapping collet after collet looking for a "good" one. Set ups go smoothly and predictably.

Included with each cartridge, the MicrogradTM Dial Wrench is a dual-purpose tool used to install and adjust the collet in the cartridge. With dial graduations in either .02mm or .001-inch increments, the closure of the Microconic collet can be set with calibrated precision using a common pin gage the diameter of the work piece.​
Micrograd Face Dial Wrench inch metric swiss machine clamping pressure
Micrograd Dial Wrench with dial graduations in either .02mm or .001-inch increments. Shown here are the Dial Wrenches for UM10 and the UM5 collet series.
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Solving Pick Off Collet Problems by Masa Tool

10/4/2021

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During the New England Tool Corp Oktoberfest Open House in September 2021, Matt Saccomanno, President of Masa Tool, presented a webinar "Solving Pick Off Collet Problems"

Matt talks about why traditional Pickoff Collets suck so bad: Micro-movement, Poor concentricity, Size is not available NOW and poor control of clamping pressure which leads to overall length variations and crushed parts.
MicorGrad Collet Wrench
No other collet system has permits you set clamping pressure for consistent clamping repeatability of 0.0002" TIR
Matt goes on to explain how the Microconic System solves all of the problems with traditional pickoff collet with a   guaranteed 0002" TIR accuracy and ships everything from stock within two days of placing an order!
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Modern Workholding Strategies for Swiss-type Machining

6/20/2018

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Thursday. September 13| 1:15 PM - 2:10 PM | McCormick Place Room W193-B
Matt Saccomanno, the Co-Founder of Masa Tool and inventor of the Microconic Workholding sytem will talking about process innovations in the metalcutting manufacturing industry during the International Manufacturing Technology Show, IMTS, in September at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. 
Modern Workholding Strategies for Swiss-type Machining
Swiss-type CNC machines have gained in capability and demand as the machined components they produce are trending toward higher precision and micro-sized features. As the machines have become more sophisticated, the underlying basics of workholding remained unchanged until recently.

​This presentation is an overview of new developments as well as traditional approaches with relevance to today’s highly capable sliding headstock “Swiss-type” CNC turning centers. The goal is to summarize best-practices for optimizing use of both main and sub-spindle to maximize productivity and overall equipment effectiveness. The material presented is useful for machinists, CNC programmers, tool crib personnel, manufacturing engineers, estimators, and hands-on managers.

If you would like to reserve your spot in this technical presentation and discussion please click the below button.
Add To IMTS Show Planner

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NEW! Masa Introduces the Microconic F201 Cartridge

4/11/2018

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Picture
OCEANSIDE, CA - Masa Tool has just released the newest product in the Microconic line of cartridges for swiss machine workholding. The NEW push type F201M10 Cartridge replaces the Tornos F20-201 collet in your CNC spindle. This enables you to use our Microconic collets to achieve concentricity guaranteed to be within 5µm (0.0002") in production use.

The F201M10 Cartridge is a micro-workholding system for use in high precision, small diameter CNC turning applications which enables you to move more work to the sub spindle operations and reduce cycle time.

​The F201M10 Cartridge  is compatible with spindles that accept F20-201 collets including  DIN 136E,  Meister Swiss 136E, Schaublin F20 (76-201),  Southwick & Meister F20-201, KEB (MasWerks) MC20-201,  Hardinge F20-201 / 4709 collets.

Masa’s Cartridge and Collet assembly is designed to vector the chucking force directly over the holding surface.  This means that the chucking force can be reduced while at the same time the holding power is increased. This opens up the possibility of moving part operations to the sub-spindle and dramatically reducing cycle time.  20% ~ 40% cycle time reduction is commonly achieved.​
F201M10 Cartridge Features
  • Solid extended nose, giving superior access for tooling and coolant, with minimal overhang.
  • The cartridge's core diameter is a single piece construction that will maintain 5 µm/.0002" concentricity at the extended nose tip.
  • Micrometer dial control of collet clamping pressure regardless of the machines hydraulic or pneumatic collet closing force with the use of our Micrograd™ Wrench. Ideally suited for small diameter part size range from .2mm/.008" to 10mm/.3934" diameter
  • 2-days shipping on all cartridges and collets​.

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How to use the Micrograd Face Dial Wrench

3/14/2018

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Set ups are quicker and more repeatable with Microconic™. You can document the micrometer-adjust collet closure in your set up plan so it's done the same every time, regardless of operator skill and without relying on "feel". ​
Our Micrograd™ Face Dial Wrench is included with the purchase of any Microconic Cartridges.

The Micrograd™ Face dial Wrench provides a method of precisely setting clamping pressure on both the Microconic collets and an Microconic overgrip collets .  

​It can be adjusted in metric increments of 0,02mm and imperial increments of .001"
Micrograd Face Dial Wrench Microconic
Top View of the 5C Cartridge with alignment arrow for use with the Micrograd collet wrench. The locking set screw to fix the position is located behind the arrow line.

How to use the Micrograd™ Face Dial Wrench

Microconic Micrograd Face Dial adjustment wrench
Side view of the F25 Cartridge with alignment line show for use with the Micrgrad collet wrench
  1. Insert a gage pin of the appropriate diameter.
  2. Tighten collet with Micrograd Collet wrench by 2 – 4 graduations to set initial clamping force. 
  3. For a firm grip on solid workpieces typically a closure of about .08mm (0.003”) is a good starting point. 
  4. Use the screwdriver allen wrench to lock the set screw on the cartridge in place.

Experience will soon teach the best settings, and they may vary significantly for different applications based on the force required, rigidity of workpiece, and machining operation being performed. 
For a complete set of instructions please see our installation procedures for more details on how to set up and replicate your clamping pressure on every machine in your shop.
micrograd wrench Microconic um10 collets
Micrograd wrench surrounded by Microconic UM-10 collets
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​Masa Expands Offering of Microconic Over-Grip Collets with New Long-Land T-type Series.

2/13/2018

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OCEANSIDE, CA.  Masa Tool has expanded their line of Microconic over-grip collets to include a new style called a "T-type."  The T-type over-grip collet has a longer gripping surface than the original W-type. We designed it specifically for longer parts such as bone screws with wide pitch threads.
The Microconic  over-grip collets provide more work holding and programming options than previously available. It enables you to move operations from the main spindle to the sub-spindle. This balances the work being performed between the main and sub time which can dramatically reduce cycle time.  

​The land width on the W-type over-grip collet, pictured at the right,  is approximately 1 X Diameter of the workpiece. 
Micorconic W-Type Overgrip Collet
The Microconic W-type over-grip collet can swallow up to 4mm over the held diameter
But,  in some cases, with longer parts, the land width "B" needs to be longer to support the workpiece properly.
​

Masa's new T-type collet provides the solution for longer workpieces

Typically with over-gripping applications, a shorter land length/clamping pad length/grip length is desired because of limited space available to hold the workpiece behind the enlarged head or flange that it is reaching over. That is what our original W-type collet was optimized for.

However, with longer parts, with more surface area for clamping and gripping room, a longer land length is often preferred to provide more stability to support the longer length workpiece.
​It may also be necessary with very wide-pitched threads, such as on bone screws, where a long land in the collet allows spanning several thread pitches instead of just one or two. This same spanning issue can occur with parts that have wide grooves.

The  new "T-type" over-grip collet,  has a longer gripping surface than our original W-type: Typically 2 - 3 times the diameter of the workpiece.

​For extra long parts, the T-type collet provides the opening needed for the larger head to pass through the collet, so it can be pushed through the back end of the spindle for ejection when required.
Microconic T Type Overgrip 2-3X Land width
The Microconic T-type over-grip collet provides 2 -3 times the land width "B" of the W-type over-grip collet to support longer parts.

Microconic T-Type Over-grip Collet features

  • Standard gripping land length is 2x - 3x diameter. (vs. about 1x diameter with W-type)
  • Available from Ø1.55 - 7.2mm (Ø.061" - .283"). 
  • Opens 3.5mm diameter (.138") larger than the clamping diameter. (vs. 4mm larger with W-type).
  • Every size available to ship within 2 days of order.
  • Same Microconic accuracy and rigidity.
Typical uses are generally for over-gripping of longer parts:
  • Bone screws with wide-pitch threads
  • Orthopedic surgical drills and taps
  • Long shafts with flange
  • Long, thin walled tubular parts
  • Long plastic parts
Microconic T-Type Long Land Overgrip collets
Masa Microconic Overgrip Collets: W-type (upper) & T-type (lower)
If you've tried other companies overgrip collets with poor results, Microconic over-grip collets  will allow you to do things you might have thought impossible!

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How to use the Microguide™ Sleeve

1/17/2018

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Due to the extreme opening capability of our overgrip collets , workpiece ejection must be very reliable to prevent a part from becoming stuck in the slots of the collet. ​Therefore we have developed  the Microguide™ ejection guide sleeve to prevent parts from falling inside the collet instead of ejecting into the part catcher.  ​
 Microconic over-grip collet and Microguide ejection guide sleeve blank
Microconic™over-grip collet and Microguide™ ejection guide sleeve blank
The Microconic™ over-grip collet is extremely rigid and precise. If it closes onto a part wrapped with chips the collet may be over-stressed and break.  It is critical that the workpiece be free of wrapped chips. High pressure coolant is recommended to blast away chips.

​There are many other techniques that can be applied to keep the part clear of chips, such as chipbreaker inserts, speed/feed optimization, chipbreaker G-code cycles and cutter path retracing, amongst others.

​It bears repeating that we suggest using programmed cycle stops while validating the production setup so the operator can confirm the part is clear. Once chip control is proven reliable that won't be necessary.
Each Microconic™ Over-grip collet is supplied with a brass Microguide™ ejection guide sleeve blank.  The Microguide™ sleeve  can be bored, drilled or machined to match the part profile and support the part and guide it for reliable ejection into the part catcher. 

You will need to machine the Microguide™  to fit your particular part setup.  We suggest using programmed cycle stops while validating the production setup to make sure part ejection is reliable.
Micrograd ejection guide sleeve blank Microconic over-grip collet
The Microguide™ ejection guide sleeve blank threads into the Microconic™over-grip collet after being machined to the part profile.

Microconic W style over grip collet cross section
A cross section drawing of a workpiece being held in a Microconic W style over grip collet.
Microconic W Style OverGrip Collets
Microconic W Style over grip Collets

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Workholding System Enables Switching Operations from Main to Subspindle

7/12/2017

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Masa Tool is introducing its Microconic workholding system for use in subspindle Swiss-type machine operations, enabling the operator to switch operations from the main to the subspindle so that usage is balanced.
Masa Tool Overgip Collet swiss machining
Masa Tool is introducing its Microconic workholding system for use in subspindle Swiss-type machine operations, enabling the operator to switch operations from the main to the subspindle so that usage is balanced. This capability is said to reduce cycle time in ways that are not possible with conventional collets.

​The Microconic system consists of two primary components: a cartridge that fits in the machine’s standard TF20, TF25 or 5C collet closer, and the collet itself, which fits into the cartridge. Each cartridge model has a solid extended nose and can accept both regular and over-grip collets. The over-grip collets open up to 0.157" (4 mm) larger than the clamping diameter.

​The Microconic cartridge’s extended nose design directs all of the chucking pressure directly over the workpiece for concentricity and rigidity. Total indicated runout (TIR) for the Microconic system is guaranteed at 0.0002" (5 µm) at the workpiece, absent any runout introduced by the machine structure or other elements of the setup. The system capacity ranges from 0.008" to 0.394" (0.2 to 10 mm) in diameter, with all sizes available from stock.

Production Machining Magazine Logo Microconic
This article originally appeared in 
Production Machining 2/27/2017
Jedd Cole, Editor
Editor Asistente, MMS Mexico
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Rapid Traverse: Machining Technology in Brief

6/30/2017

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We got a very unexpected present in the mail this past week! We where very excited to learn that our Microconic workholding system for small diameter part machining was featured in the Rapid Traverse section of the June 2017 issue of Modern Machine Shop!!!

We've got pictures of the article below in case you don't currently subscribe to Modern Machine Shop.  You can also download a PDF copy of the entire June issue below in the link. It starts on Page 25 of the PDF download.  If you have the print edition it's on Page 22, or you can just read thought the screen shots below.  

We want to really extend a very big THANK YOU to Matt Danforth at Modern Machine Shop who wrote this article.  Matt really did an awful lot of work learning about the various features of our system. We know there where many many hours that he spent to develop this story just from the sheer number of follow up questions and conversations.  We really have an awful lot of respect for the entire MMS team and the effort they put into getting their story's "just right".

Download MMS June 2017 Issue HERE >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

mms_june_2017_microconic_article_page_25.pdf
File Size: 35701 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Modern Machine Shop Cover June 2017 Masa Tool Microconic page 22

Micro-Part Collets Make Subspindles Sing Page 22
Micro-Part Collets Make Subspindles Sing Page 24
Micro-Part Collets Make Subspindles Sing Page 25
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