Industrial HSK-Tool clamping for ultra-precision machining and beyond
Performance, productivity, and result of a machining process, as well as the surface finish of the finished part, are predomiantly determined by three main components involved: the machine, the work-holding and tool spindle and the tool itself. Recognizing the unique demands on our products, we have broadly developed solutions that would typically be sourced-in from any other spindle manufacturer. This includes, for example, rotary encoder systems, electric motors, bearing systems, tool clamping systems and tool holders.
The tool clamping system and the tool holder both are components only a few have on their radar, but are crucial parts of a spindle-tool system and thus the machining process. If the tool clamp system is inconsistent or unreliable,
any machining process is difficult to control. If the tool holder has an imbalance that is signicantly higher than the residual imbalance of the spindle shaft, this would make a precision machining at higher spindle speeds and with
small tools simply impossible. To address this and to maximize the performance of our spindle solutions, we provide our customers with a new dimension in tool holders (UTS-x) and tool clamping systems (SLH-x).
These in-house developed components finally bridgle the gap of standard CNC-machining and high-speed or ultra-precision machining and give so much more: Consistency, reliability and controllability!
Key advantages of improved tool holders and tool clamping systems
A well-designed tool holder and a reliable, consistent tool clamping ensure low tool run-out and repeatable machining results at significantly lower scrap rates.
Rigid tool clamping minimizes vibrations, leading to an improved surface quality and an extended tool life.
An efficient clamping system allows for quick and easy tool changes, reducing machine downtime and boosting overall productivity.
Premium tool holders and clamping systems are often compatible with various tool types and sizes, increasing flexibility when machining different workpieces.
Robust tool holders and clamping systems are less prone to wear, offering longer service life, reduced operating costs, and lower maintenance requirements. Thus, robustness and simplicity are key.
Built-in spring-less HSK clamping units „SLH-x“
Robustness, repeatability and consistency are key: Because spring systems fatigue, require a lot of space and tend to change position over the life cycle of a clamping system, spring-based clamping systems are prone to failiure and inconsistency.
Simplicity and size matter: The more parts are involved in a tool clamping, the more work is required to install and maintain it. Because of the required travel to clamp and unclamp a tool, the spring system of spring-based clamping systems not only requires a certain length, it also makes it hard to install and to maintain.
Our built-in sprin-less clamping units SLH-x overcome all the mentioned downsides of a spring-based clamping and yet offers a reliable, consistent and safe clamping using a self-locking in a pre-loaded state at shear simplicity and an ultra-short design.
- Exceptionally low and consistent residual imbalance over its life cycle
- Reliable and consistent clamping with respect to force and clamping positions over its life cycle
- Ultra-compact design, high robustness and excellent serviceability
- No bearing protection system required, because when ejecting a tool no additional spring load has to be overcome
Ultra-precision HSK-tool holder series „UTS-x“
Most poeple simply neglect the influence of the tool holding, but its impact on the machining result can be quite severe. With in-house verified and averaged imbalances of G8 mm/s (25,000 rpm) for commercially available tool holders, this is not only 3 times higher than it should be according to the DIN standard, considering a residual imbalance of a spindle shaft (Levicron) of G0.05 mm/s (20,000 rpm), it is in fact and looking at the different weights, more than 30 times more imbalanced than the spindle shaft itself. This will surely ruin your machining results, but can also put your spindle in danger when used at higher speeds.
Vibration due to imbalance aside, also tool run-out is curcial for more and more applications. Not only causes tool run-out a drop in precision, but leads also to increased tool wear. Where the industry standard and DIN gives 3 micron
run-out (static), in intensive testing commercially available tool holders, we could measure between 3 and 10 micron, even when used in our ultra-precision tool spindles that offer < 200 nm tool clamp repeatability.
Our UTS-x series offers customers tool holders with a guaranteed static tool run-out of under 0.8 micron and a balancing quality of G0.3 mm/s at 60,000 rpm if used with one of our tool spindles – 25 times better than the industry standard. This exceptional performance sets a new benchmark for tool holder technology.
Overview of our HSK tool clamping products
| Model | Tool interface | |
| SLH-x *) | ||
 | SLH-63 | HSK-E 63, DIN 69893-5 |
| SLH-40 | HSK-E 40, DIN 69893-5 | |
| SLH-32 | HSK-E 32, DIN 69893-5 | |
| SLH-25 | HSK-E 25, DIN 69893-5 | |
| SLH-20 | HSK-E 20, DIN 69893-5 | |
| UTS-x **) | ||
 | UTS-40 | HSK-E 40, DIN 69893 E, Shrink |
| UTS-32 | HSK-E 32, DIN 69893 E, Shrink | |
| UTS-25 | HSK-E 25, DIN 69893 E, Shrink | |
| UTS-20 | HSK-E 20, DIN 69893 E, Shrink | |
| *) SLH= Spring-Less, Self-Locking HSK / **) UTS= Ultra-precision Thermal Shrinking |
