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Masa Tool

breaking news

Cartridge Reduces Cycle Time, Enables More Subspindle Operations

10/17/2018

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Masa Tool’s Microconic push-type F201M10 cartridge pairs with its Microconic collets
for concentricity within 5 microns (0.0002") in production use

Masa Tool’s Microconic push-type F201M10 cartridge pairs with its Microconic collets for concentricity said to be within 5 microns (0.0002") in production use. The cartridge is a micro-workholding system for use in high-precision, small-diameter CNC turning applications. The cartridge is compatible with spindles that accept F20-201 collets.
IMTS2018-pr-masatool-f201m10 microconiMasa Tool's Microconic F201M10 cartridge on display at IMTS 2018.
The cartridge and accompanying collet are designed to vector the chucking force directly over the holding surface, reducing the chucking force while also increasing the holding power. This reduces chucking damage on the workpiece and reduces cycle times by 20 to 40 percent, the company says. 

The cartridge’s solid extended nose enables access for tooling and coolant with minimal overhang. Its core diameter is a single-piece construction that is designed to maintain 5 microns (0.002") concentricity at the extended nose tip. Used with the company’s Micrograd wrench, the cartridge features micrometer dial control of collet clamping pressure regardless of the machine’s hydraulic or pneumatic collet closing force. The cartridge is suited for small-diameter parts ranging from 0.22 mm (0.008") to 10 mm (0.3934") in diameter.

"Micro-movement" of the workpiece is reduced, resulting in a longer tool life, better finishes, fewer chatter problems, and less damage to the workpiece. The cartridge eliminates secondary operations, saves time and enables operations to be done in the subspindle. Broaching, milling, saw cutting/slotting, turning, boring and drilling can be machined in the subspindle.


Modern Machine Shop Logo
This article originally appeared at
Modern Machine Shop
Product Post: 7/11/2018

Edited by Hannah Mason

Assistant Editor
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NEW! Masa Introduces the Microconic F37 Cartridge at IMTS 2018

8/21/2018

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Masa Tool Microconic F37 Cartridge IMTS 2018
OCEANSIDE, CA - Masa Tool has just released the newest product in the Microconic line of cartridges for swiss machine workholding. The NEW push type F37M10 Cartridge replaces the standard TF37 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  F37M10 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.

​Compatible with spindles that accept DIN 1536E, Meister Swiss 563, Schaublin F37 (76-740),  
Southwick & Meister TF37, KEB (MasWerks) MC37,  Hardinge TF37 / 4619 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.​

This new cartridge will be demonstrated for the first time at IMTS 2018 in the West Building, Level 3 & Annex - Tooling & Workholding Systems - 432232

Masa Tool Microconic F37 Cartridge
Microconic F37 DIN1536E
Fits the following models of machine
  • Citizen Models:  E32K, E232
  • Hanwha Models: SL32HP
  • KSI Models: SA32
  • Maier Models:  ML-32A/32B, ML-32C/32D, ML-32E, MLK-32
  • NexTurn Models: SA32
  • Star Models:  ECAS 32, 32T, JNC25/32, KNC25/32B, KNC32, SR32/SR32J, SST16 STM32, SV32, SV32J/32J II, VNC32
  • Tornos Models: DECO 2000 25/32, MR32
  • Tsugami Models: NP32 II, NP32 III, NT25, NT32/ II/ III, SS32, BO325II, 326II, 327II
  • Methods CAM Models: SS32
  • Tornos CAM Models: MR32

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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

1 Comment

 
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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Workholding: Design and Function

8/23/2017

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Todays Medical Developments Log Masa Tool Article
This article originally appeared in the April 2017 issue of Today's Medical Developments.
​It was the cover story entitled: "Micro-Precision Machining" by Elizabeth Modic

Microconic’s cartridge is made of exotic high-chromium tool steel, triple tempered and cryogenically treated to provide stable construction. All functional seating surfaces are ground with extreme precision on a one-piece, ultra-rigid body structure.

“The cartridge can be used as a calibration gage to verify the machine spindle accuracy,” Co-owner Chip Prescott notes.

Microconic collets are finished to exacting standards with a five-step grinding process that removes the effect of heat-treat warpage. Also, the proprietary Microconic form of the closure surfaces is inherently more accurate than traditional collets, providing for a greater full-accuracy working range.

Cartridges are available to fit in push-type dead-length collet closers and also draw-type closers: F20M10 (for TF20 collet replacement), F25M10 (for TF25 collet replacement), and 5CM10 (for 5C collet replacement). All of these cartridges use the same Microconic UM10 collets, with more cartridge sizes in development to be released soon.
Microconic Workholding: Design and Function

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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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Workholding: Micro-Precision Machining

5/10/2017

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Todays Medical Developments Log Masa Tool Article
This article originally appeared in the April 2017 issue of Today's Medical Developments.
​It was the cover story entitled: "Micro-Precision Machining"

Matt Saccomanno’s Microconic collet-type workholder for small part machining was inspired by his experience in a Swiss screw-machine job shop.
By Elizabeth Modic
In 1996, Matt Saccomanno, co-founder of Masa Tool, was frustrated with the limitations of conventional collets and workholding systems when performing secondary machining operations as engineering manager at Allied Swiss Screw Products.

​This was in the early days of CNC Swiss-type machines, when machining capabilities were limited, requiring lots of secondary operations. His solution – a high-precision, collet-type workholding device for small parts machining.

As machining capabilities advanced and precision requirements became more challenging, Saccomanno realized that the legacy collet systems used in micro-machining were a serious limiting factor that prevented full use of modern machine capabilities.

​That prompted Saccomanno to design the next generation, the Microconic system.  
Todays Medical Developments Microconic Workholding April 2017

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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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