Microconic System for Micromachining Offers Precise Control

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

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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”).

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.