Internal Clamping Collet Adapts to Workpiece Contours

Andreas Maier GmbH & Co. KG’s (AMF) new collet for internal clamping consists of a basic element and an attachment for internal clamping. Users can adapt this clamping attachment to suit the internal contours of their workpieces. This unique clamping technology is said to enable workpieces with blind holes to be clamped safely and without distortion. A clamping control feature provides feedback about the workpiece being clamped securely.

Users can machine this collet attachment to adapt it to match the internal contour of the workpiece they are clamping. AMF says that no through holes are needed in the workpiece to achieve safe internal clamping. With mechanical lateral actuation, workpieces with a blind hole can also be clamped securely and without distortion. As a unique feature, this basic element is also equipped with a clamping control unit made of stainless steel. This enables users to establish that the workpiece really is clamped properly. This is said to significantly improve process reliability.

By adapting the collet attachment to the internal contour of the workpiece, free-form contours can be clamped safely and securely. The minimum diameter is 32 mm. During the adjustment process, a retaining ring ensures that the workpiece can then be clamped securely for the next process. The minimum clamping depth measures 10 mm. Depending on variant, the maximum clamping depth measures 40 or 44 mm respectively.

To secure the basic element to the machine table, the device has a circumferential clamping rim. Flat surfaces on the sides enable it to be mounted in the machine vice. Alternatively, it can be secured in the machine table using T-slots. In addition, there are base mounting points, sizes K10 and K20, for the AMF Zero-Point-System, as well as indexing grooves for the positioning of AMF zero-point clamping modules. The mechanism in the basic element is protected against dirt and cooling water. At the AMB trade fair, AMF is showcasing the collet for internal clamping as the further development collet for external clamping from the same series. According to the company, the basic element can be used for both collet attachments.