How to use the Microguide™ Sleeve

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

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.

The Microguide™ ejection guide sleeve blank threads into the Microconic™over-grip collet after being machined to the part profile.

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

Microconic W Style over grip Collets

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About Masa Tool
Masa Tool is an international rotary workholding manufacturer of a unique clamping system called Microconic which is designed for small diameter, high tolerance part machining. Based in Oceanside, California, Masa Tool serves the automotive, aerospace, defense, medical, electronics, energy, composites and other industries. The Microconic system replaces existing sub-spindle collets with the Microconic system in an ever-increasing number of CNC swiss machine tool OEM’s worldwide by providing 5µm (0.0002") clamping concentricity.