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Just Released: The 2017 Microconic Catalog!

4/13/2017

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The Microconic system will be able to do things that are impossible
​with any other traditional collet system. 

Just-In-Time for the PMTS show! We have just released the NEW 2017 Masa Tool Catalog! 

The Masa Microconic system consists of the cartridge, which fits into your machine like a standard collet, and the Microconic collets which fit into the cartridge
Our regular MicroconicTM collets help reduce cycle time by allowing a rm grip on the workpiece without causing damage, and yet holding it much more rigidly than any other collet on the market.

You’ll be able to do heavy machining operations in the sub spindle, such as blind hole broaching, that would not have even considered in the past. Now you can switch ops from main to sub!


Set ups are quicker and more repeatable with Microconic.

​You can document the micrometer-adjust collet closure in your set up plan using our Micrograd Face Dial Wrench and it’s going to repeat to the same clamping pressure each and every time, regardless of operator skill and without relying on “feel”.


You can calibrate your spindle accuracy with the MicroconicTM cartridge by using it as a precision cylinder gauge.

​When that is good, EVERY Microconic collet will run within .0002” TIR: There’s no ddling and swapping collet after collet looking for a “good” one. Set ups go smoothly and predictably. 


Microconic clamping force is directly over the workpiece at the end of the collet
Microconic clamping force is directly over the workpiece at the end of the collet.
The Microconic collets fit into our cartridge to hold the workpiece with great precision and rigidity. Unlike traditional extended nose collets our unique design and closing action is inherently more accurate and consistent.
​

The clamping force is directly over the workpiece at the end of the collet. The origin of the word “Microconic”, alludes to the precise way in which the collet closing taper is formed to cancel the effects of heat treat warp and grind tolerances. As a result, it provides industry- best concentricity every time. 

Download or View the 2017 Masa Tool Microconic Catalog:

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Micro-Part Collets Make Subspindles Sing

3/8/2017

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A proprietary grinding process and the application of clamping force exactly where it’s needed ensure secure, concentric gripping with a collet system that can potentially fit every turning machine in a shop. 

​Blog: 2/17/2017
by 
MATT DANFORD
Associate Editor, Modern Machine Shop
Shop Blog Header Banner Masa Tool Microconic
There’s good reason why subspindle-equipped turning centers, particularly Swiss-type lathes, are so popular for small, complex parts produced in high volumes. However, there’s also good reason for the prefix “sub.” Automatic part hand-off for backworking operations isn’t viable without secure gripping, and the smaller, already-machined portion of the work presented to the subspindle tends to create more challenges than the raw barstock gripped in the main spindle. As a result, subspindles can be limited when it comes to blind-hole broaching, heavy peck drilling and other processes that risk pushing a part off-kilter or damaging it.
However, the right workholding can break down these barriers, says Matt Saccomanno, CEO of Masa Tool (Oceanside, California). Founded in the wake of Mr. Saccomanno’s own frustration with secondary operations and underutilization of subpsindles, Masa Tool offers the Microconic system, an alternative to traditional, extended-nose collet designs that applies force closer to the part for greater rigidity and concentricity—advantages that extend to main-spindle operations as well. Another benefit is the ability to adjust clamping pressure at the spindle nose to grip securely without damaging small, fragile workpieces. On the efficiency front, a collet in one size can be swapped for another without reaching anywhere beyond the spindle nose, and any collet can fit multiple draw-type or push-type machine collet closers. This saves time and eliminates the need for different collet series for different machines. 
Microconic Collet Bone Screw Workholding
Finally, overgrip models that expand 0.157 inch (4 mm) beyond the clamping diameter enable reaching over and gripping the part behind large-diameter areas. ​
Microconic system components swiss machining

​The Microconic system consists of two primary components: a cartridge that fits in the machine’s standard 
5C, TF20 or TF25 collet closer, and the Microconic collet itself, which fits into the cartridge.

​Collets accommodate workpiece diameters ranging from 0.008 inch (0.2 mm) to 0.394 inch (10 mm).

Total indicator runout (TIR) is guaranteed at 0.0002 inch (5 microns) at the workpiece, absent any runout introduced by the machine structure or other elements of the setup, Mr. Saccomanno says. He adds that the cartridge can be used as a precision gage to calibrate spindle accuracy.

Installation is simple. Users place the machine in a safe state for collet changing; insert the appropriate Microconic cartridge; and thread the Microconic collet into the cartridge. “You put it in your spindle and leave it there,” Mr. Saccomanno says about the three cartridge models, each of which can accept any standard or over-grip collet. This capability enables switching to a different-diameter collet for a different-diameter part and setting the correct chucking force in roughly 2 minutes, compared to the 15 minutes it might take to swap, say, a TF25 collet, he says.
There’s no “feel” involved in tightening the collet, he says. That’s a task accomplished with the company’s Micrograd wrench, which features micrometer graduations of 0.001 inch (0.02 mm) to aid users in dialing in the perfect closure on either a workpiece or a gage pin of the same size. This configuration relegates the machine’s own clamping mechanism to the role of an actuator that triggers the opening or closing of the collet. As such, he advises keeping the machine’s own function at a medium force setting and allowing the Microconic cartridge to control the actual chucking force. Machined from a single piece of hardened steel, the cartridge preserves the dead-length operation of “push-type” collet systems (that is, the collet itself doesn’t move in or out as the machine cartridge actuates the chuck).
Micrograd clamping pressure wrench swiss machining
In addition to better facilitating secure clamping without damaging thin-walled or otherwise delicate workpieces, self-contained, dial-micrometer force adjustment helps ensure setups aren’t affected by temperature fluctuations that might subtly alter the machine structure between collet-closer and collet. As Mr. Saccomanno puts it, “From the first part in the morning to the last part on second shift, it grips the same. You don’t have to play with it throughout the day.”
Microconic Overgrip collet with dental drill
He credits much of that precision to the fact that clamping force is applied directly over the workpiece, a contrast with traditional extended-nose designs that apply force farther back. He also credits the manufacturing process. Tapering collet jaws to interface with the machine is nothing unusual.

​However, Masa Tool employs a proprietary, five-step grinding process that leaves each jaw with a particularly precise conical shape (hence the name “Microconic”) that forms a particularly tight fit.  More specifically, a “slight crown” ensures that the contact point is always centered, he explains, citing the pattern of wear marks on well-used collets as evidence. 
“Traditionally, you’ll see wear closer to the slots rather than in the center, between the slots,” he says. “There’s no uncertainty about whether (a Microconic collet) will touch on the left or the right side first. That’s where you’ll get some variation in traditional designs.”
Gripping wasn’t the company’s only focus when designing the Micronic system. Reliable part ejection is also critical, Mr. Saccomanno says, particularly with overgrip collets that offer such a wide gripping range. That’s why overgrip models ship with a Microject, a brass ejection guide sleeve that can be machined to mirror the outer profile of the workpiece.

​Once threaded into the over-grip collet, the sleeve prevents parts from falling inside the chuck or getting stuck rather than ejecting into the parts catcher. The sleeve also provides a tight seal that improves the ability of through-spindle coolant or shop air to aid in part ejection.

Microconic workholding System overview
Granted, Mr. Saccomanno recommends using programmed cycle stops while validating a production setup to ensure part ejection is reliable. Nonetheless, combined with the precision and gripping security common to all Microconic collets, capability for extreme overgripping can enable “doing things on the subspindle that you never would have dreamed of before,” he says. ​​
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Marubeni Citizen L20 with LFV uses Microconic workholding at IMTS showcase.

1/11/2017

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Marubeni Citizen introduced their  famed L20 series with low-frequency vibration (LFV) cutting at IMTS 2016. The new LFV machine featured the Microconic workholding system in the subspindle.  They utilized a F20M10 Microconic cartridge in their TF20 subspindle with one of our overgrip collets to demonstrate the performance of the new LFV.

You can check out our segment starting at 8 minutes into the video!  We want to extend a very big thank you to Marubeni Citizen for putting our system as a feature of their very latest in technology! 

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Masa Tool Get's Interviewed at IMTS 2016! 

11/22/2016

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We where honored and privileged to be interviewed by IMTStv during the show in 2016! It enabled us to get the word out about our Microconic workholding solution that solves clamping problems that have never been solved before!

​We discussed that many many people had just given up on trying to find a solution for balancing out production between the main spindle and the sub-spindle years and years ago. We where even more excited than most of the people that stopped by our booth to learn that we had indeed invented something that fixes the problem! 
A big thank you to the folks at AMT and IMTStv who interviewed us at the show for the big screen!!
​
​"If you manufacture small parts, you have to see this microconic system, it's no ordinary collet! Check out what we found in the west hall at Microconic by Masa Tool's booth W-2232!" Watch more videos at IMTS.com/IMTSTV
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Everything you wanted to know about the Microconic #Workholding System

10/11/2016

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Matt Saccomanno, the inventor of the Microconic Workholding system discussed how it works at IMTS 2016.  

Masa Tool has developed the Microconic™ system specifically for holding workpieces from Ø0.15mm to 10mm (Ø0.006" to 0.390") in any machine that has a collet-type chuck.

The system consists of two major components: The Microconic™ cartridge, which fits into your CNC machine spindle replacing the standard 5C, TF20 or TF25 collets, and the Microconic™ collet, which fits in the Microconic™ cartridge. 

The Microconic™ system has unsurpassed concentricity: Our manufacturing tolerance is 3µm (.0001") and we guarantee our cartridges to be within 5µm (0.0002") in production use in your machine.

The Microconic™ system works with either draw-type or push-type standard collet systems that are in any machine.

​The Over-grip collet capabilities of Masa Microconic™ System, introduces a whole new world of time saving opportunities awaiting. Our Overgrip Collets open up to 4mm (0.157") diameter larger than the clamping diameter.
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IMTS 2016 was Incredible!

9/29/2016

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IMTS 2015 Microconic Workholding
Our first IMTS show was a tremendous success!  We got to meet many many new customers and where very pleasantly surprised by all the industry media people who stopped by to visit us at the show.  We had an awful lot of people comment on the "Game Changing Workholding for Small Parts" by asking us "What's so game changing?"  After they learned about the entire Microconic system we often heard them say "Wow! This is REALLY a game changer!!"
On Sunday, we where interviewed on IMTStv and had some time to talk to the great folks from AMT about our Microconic system technology and where heard from people that we where on the big screen throughout the show.  

​We're keeping an eye on YouTube to see it and we'll be sure to share it here when we find it. :-)

We really can't express enough thanks to the folks over at Citizen for using our Microconic system on their new L20 machine with low frequency vibration technology that was on display in their booth.  The application engineers sent quite a few people over to our booth once they saw it in the machine!
Microconic Gamechanging Workholding
On Thursday, Harry Moser from the Reshoring Initiative visited us and we talked about how our products where developed right from our experience on the shop and because of the machining that is done locally in the Oceanside area.  The video was posted live on our Facebook Page and you can find right here down below on the left.
​

Be sure to keep an eye our for some articles in some pretty big name magazines in the next few months.  We're now on the look out for some application stories for them based upon the success you've had with our product.  If you have a story to tell us be sure to leave it in the comments below or contact us so we can get all the details! 

Harry Moser form  the Reshoring Initiative visited us!
Some pictures from our IMTStv interview. It was a busy week meeting lots of new customers!

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Microconic System to be Unveiled at IMTS 2016: W-2232

8/3/2016

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Picture
Make plans now to visit Masa Tool at the  IMTS 2016 Booth W-2232 and learn about our new Microconic Workholding System.

The Microconic™ work holding system is a mechanically actuated micro-workholding system for use in high precision, small diameter CNC turning applications.

The system consists of two major components: The Microconic™ cartridge, replaces the standard TF20 collets and  fits into your CNC machine with no modifications to the spindle required.  The second component to the system is the  Microconic™ collets which have capacities of 0,22mm - 10,00mm ( 0.0086" - 0.3949") and -Over-Grip collets which can open up to 4mm over the chucking diameter and run within 5 µm/.0002" TIR

It's the first and only workholding system for the micro-machining industry.

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Masa Introduces the new F20M10 Cartridge for Swiss Lathes

7/1/2016

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Masa Tool has just introduced the F20M10 Cartridge as the latest expansion of  the Microconic™ system . The System was developed specifically for holding workpieces from Ø0.15mm to 10mm (Ø0.006" to 0.390") in any machine that has a collet-type chuck.
The push type F20 Cartridge replaces the standard TF20 collet in your CNC spindle. This enables you to use the Microconic collets to achieve concentricity guaranteed to be within 5µm (0.0002") in production use.

The system consists of two major components: The Microconic™ cartridge, replaces the standard TF20 collets and  fits into your CNC machine with no modifications to the spindle required.  The second component to the system is the  Microconic™ collets which have capacities of 0,22mm - 10,00mm ( 0.0086" - 0.3949") and -Over-Grip collets which can open up to 4mm over the chucking diameter and run within 5 µm/.0002" TIR
Picture
F20M10 Microconic Cartridge
The new F20M10 Cartridge is compatible with spindles that accept Schaublin F20,  Southwick & Meister TF20, KEB (MasWerks) MC20,  Hardinge TF20 / 4611 collets to name but a few.
Picture
F20M10 Cartridge. Standard single piece construction extended nose
Picture
F20M10 Cartridge with a UM10 Collet installed
The Microconic™ system and F20M10 Cartridge has unsurpassed concentricity: Our manufacturing tolerance is 3µm(.0001") and we guarantee  our cartridges to be within 5µm (0.0002") in production use in your machine.  

The 
F20M10 Cartridge fits the  following models of Swiss Machines as well as several others.
  • Citizen Models:  A16, C16, K16, M16.
  • Maier Models:  ML-16A/16B, ML-16C/16D.
  • Star Models:  ECAS 12/16, JNC16, KJR16B, RNC16 & II, RNC16B & II, SA12, SA16/16R, SB16/16S, SE12, SE16, SH12, SH16, SI 12/12C, SNC15DX, SR16/16R, SST16 STM32, SV12, VNC12.
  • Tornos Models: DECO 2000 13, Elector16, ENC16, ENC162, ENC164.
  • Traub Models: TNL-16G
  • Tsugami Models: NMP16II, NP16/16 II, NT12, NT16 II/16 III, 600, 600P.​ 
  • Tornos CAM Models: M15, R16
Picture
F20M10 Cartridge with standard TF20 Pull Type closing system

Micrograd™ Face Dial Wrench permits accurate clamping pressure adjustment

As with all Microconic Cartridges, the F20M10 comes standard wit a Micrograd™ Face Dial Wrench.  The Micrograd wrench  gives you the ability to to set your collet clamping pressure. 

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"
Picture
Micrograd Face Dial Wrench to to set clamping pressure

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Microconic System for Micromachining Offers Precise Control

3/31/2014

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Picture
Article From: 3/31/2014 Production Machining
​
Lori Beckman , Managing Editor 
Originally titled 'Precision Collet Device for Micromachining Offers Precise Control'

The system provides precise control of collet closure despite the force a machine’s closure system exerts. Delicate parts can be held firmly and precisely without damage.

The cartridge provides extended nose capabilities, but remains solid and rigid. The cartridge nose is designed with a small diameter, so tooling and coolant have easy access to the workpeice.

​This eliminates the need for extended nose collets and greatly decreases concentricity runout, the company says.

Microconic collets (UM10’s) are designed for high precision, small workpeices. Hardened blanks are available for delivery within hours of ordering.

The collets are available in size increments of 0.050 mm (0.001”), and diameter sizes start at 1 mm (0.039”) and go up to a maximum of 10 mm (0.393”).
Picture
Microconic system components
Masa Tool Inc. has created a precision collet device for the micromachining industry. The “Microconic System” is a miniaturized collet system that consists of two major components: the Microconic “cartridge” that fits directly into Swiss spindles like a collet and the Microconic collet that is a “right size” style collet. This chucking method is available for both draw-type (5C) and push-type or “dead length” systems (TF25), used on the subspindle of Swiss CNC lathes.
The Microconic grind provides extreme accuracy, high gripping force and tolerance for workpiece size differential, the company says. Each finger of the collet has a separate conical surface that acts to apply the gripping force with accuracy.
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