• Home
  • About
  • Cartridges
    • F20M10 Cartridge
    • F201M10 Cartridge
    • F25M10 Cartridge
    • F37M10 Cartridge
    • 5CM10 Cartridge
  • Collets
    • Regular Collets
    • W - Overgrip Collets
    • T - Overgrip Collets
    • Accessories >
      • Micrgrad Dial
      • Microguide EGS
  • Installation
  • News
  • Applications
  • Contact
    • Where to Buy
Masa Tool

breaking news

Microconic holds a Firm Grip without Damaging the Threads on Bone Screws

3/16/2022

0 Comments

 
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.
0 Comments

Just Released! The 2018 -2019 Masa Tool Microconic Catalog

9/4/2018

1 Comment

 
We have just released the NEW 2018-2019 Masa Tool Catalog! Our first batch of new catalogs is shipping directly to our IMTS booth in Chicago for release, but you can download your own copy right here!
The 2018-2019 catalog features NEW PRODUCTS including:
  • The NEW push type F37M10 Cartridge that replaces the standard TF37 collet in your CNC spindle and will be introduced at IMTS 2018.
  • The NEW Comprehensive Range of Microguide EGS™ Ejection Guide Sleeves in Different Materials. (July 2018)
  • The NEW push type F201 Cartridge that replaces the standard F20 collet. (April 2018)
  • The NEW Long-Land T-type Over-Grip Collets (February 2018)
  • The NEW Large Open V-Type Over-Grip Collets. (February 2018)
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.

The Microconic system provides:

Masa Tool Microconic Catalog 2018 2019
  • Solid extended nose — extremely rigid
  • Micrometer-adjust control of collet closure — even the most fragile parts can be held safely and firmly.
  • Extreme accuracy — concentricity within 5μm (0.0002”)  runout.
  • The Microconic cartridge can be used as a gauge to verify machine spindle accuracy.
  • Collets available from Ø0.2mm (0.008”) to 10mm (0.394”).
  • All collets hardened and precision ground to the highest quality standards.
  • Over-grip collets with performance unlike anything else! Open 4mm larger than the clamping diameter. Unmatched rigidity and concentricity. If you have tried other over-grip collets then you will be shocked at the difference — our Microconic over-grip collets are amazing.
  • The Microconic collets fit in any Microconic cartridge, no matter which machine.

Read More
1 Comment

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​.

Read More
1 Comment

How to use the Micrograd Face Dial Wrench

3/14/2018

1 Comment

 
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
1 Comment

Workholding: Design and Function

8/23/2017

0 Comments

 
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

0 Comments

Rapid Traverse: Machining Technology in Brief

6/30/2017

0 Comments

 
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
0 Comments

Workholding: Micro-Precision Machining

5/10/2017

0 Comments

 
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

Read More
0 Comments

Just Released: The 2017 Microconic Catalog!

4/13/2017

0 Comments

 

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:

0 Comments

Micro-Part Collets Make Subspindles Sing

3/8/2017

0 Comments

 
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. ​​
0 Comments

Masa Tool Get's Interviewed at IMTS 2016! 

11/22/2016

0 Comments

 
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
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    Here you will find the latest press releases, news coverage and technical information about our Microconic™ system

    Archives

    February 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    May 2021
    July 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    August 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    July 1999

    Categories

    All
    5C Cartridge
    5C Collet
    Advanced Manufacturing
    Advertisement
    Agent Profile
    AMTS
    APT Machine Tools
    Avinger
    Bell Mouthing
    Bone Screws
    Case Study
    Catalog
    CEO CFO
    Chip Wrapping
    Cincom
    Cincom L12
    Cincom L20
    Cincom M16
    Cincom M32
    CNC West
    Collet
    Concentricity
    Dental Implants
    Dragan Marjanovic
    Dunner SA
    Eastec
    Ejection Guide Sleeve
    Emergency Collet
    F13M5
    F15M5
    F16M5
    F201M10
    F20M10
    F37M10
    Floyd Automatic
    Ganesh
    High Tech Industrial
    IMTS
    ISwiss
    Jones Marketing
    Lane 4
    Machinery Trade International
    Magazine Article
    Mann Sales
    Marubeni Citizen
    Material: 6Al4V
    MAV Innovations
    Metal Cutting Corp
    Microconic
    Micrograd Wrench
    Microguide Sleeve
    Micromachining
    Micro-Matics
    Modern Machine Shop
    Morris South
    NETC
    Next Generation Tooling
    Oceanside Facility
    Oktoberfest
    Open House
    Overgrip Collet
    Part: Counterbore Drills
    Part: Dental Drills
    Part: Dental Impant
    Part: Medical Device
    Part: Surgical Drills
    Part: Surgical Taps
    PMTS
    Press Release
    Production Machining
    Productivity Inc.
    Ram Sales & Marketing
    Schlenker
    SIAMS
    South Tec
    South- Tec
    Star CNC
    Star SR20
    STEM
    Tech Tip
    TF15
    TF16
    TF20
    TF25
    TF37
    Todays Medical Developments
    Tool Marketing Service
    Trade Show
    Trade Shows
    Tsugami
    UM10
    UM10T
    UM10W
    UM5
    UM5T
    UM5V
    UM5W
    Videos
    Workpiece Deflection

    RSS Feed

Microconic Advantages
FAQ

Warranty
​Return Authorization
Shipping Policy
​Sales Policy
​MSDS
Downloads
Masa Tool Inc.
2575 Jason Court
Oceanside, CA 92056-3592

tel: 760.732.1422     
Picture
© 2025 Masa Tool Inc.
Microconic™, Micrograd™​ and  Microguide™​
​
are trademarks of Masa Tool.   
​
All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • About
  • Cartridges
    • F20M10 Cartridge
    • F201M10 Cartridge
    • F25M10 Cartridge
    • F37M10 Cartridge
    • 5CM10 Cartridge
  • Collets
    • Regular Collets
    • W - Overgrip Collets
    • T - Overgrip Collets
    • Accessories >
      • Micrgrad Dial
      • Microguide EGS
  • Installation
  • News
  • Applications
  • Contact
    • Where to Buy