NEXT GENERATION TOOLING
  • Home
    • Schedule
    • Training
  • About
    • History
    • Contact
  • Territories
    • NorCal & N-NV
    • SoCal & S-NV
    • Mountains
  • Principals
    • Tooling >
      • 2V Industries
      • BIG Daishowa
      • Champion Storage
      • Drill America
      • Jewell Group
      • Mapal
      • Martindale Gaylee
      • OSG Tool
      • Performance Micro Tool
      • Platinum Tooling
      • TechniksUSA
    • Workholding >
      • BIG Daishowa
      • Earth Chain
      • Jergens
      • mPower Workholding
  • Promotions
  • Events
  • News
  • Technical

Six Factors in Selecting Hydraulic or Shrink-Fit Holders

9/10/2019

1 Comment

 
by Alan Miller  
Originally published in Fabricating & Metalworking  Oct 24, 2018

Shrink-fit and hydraulic holders are both useful in low clearance, tight work envelopes found in moldmaking and multi-axis machining applications. When deciding which one to use, their differences will guide your choice. Here are some of the fundamental contrasts to help you decide which holder type is best for your work.
Big Kaiser Hydraulic holder
Hydraulic holders (shown here) and shrink-fit holders share a middle-of-the-road gripping strength: about half that of a milling chuck and about double that of collet chucks. The superior vibration control of hydraulic chucks makes them good choices for finish milling, reaming and drilling work. While they may not be as precise, the rigidity of shrink-fit holders makes them effective in moderate to heavy milling work where clearance is an issue, and in many high speed scenarios.
Shrink-fit and hydraulic holders are especially useful in low clearance, tight work envelopes because of their relatively slim design. This has made them effective in moldmaking applications and more coveted since the widespread adoption of multi-axis machinery. Hydraulic and shrink-fit holders also share a middle-of-the-road gripping strength: about half that of a milling chuck and about double that of collet chucks.

These similarities are why we’re taking the time to compare the two. When it comes to deciding between one or the other, it’s the differences that will guide the choice. So let’s dig into some of the fundamental contrasts that may help you decide which holder type is best for you and your work.

Initial Investment

When it comes to the holders themselves, shrink-fit is generally a slightly lower cost. The delicate hydraulic clamping systems built into the holders add cost when compared to the simple and solid bodies of shrink-fit holders. Where the major difference lies is in the equipment needed to heat the shrink-fit holders.

When heated to the proper temperature, the resulting growth of the ID allows the tool to be slipped into the bore. Once cooled, the holder expands, gripping the tool. This process, especially the induction heating, involves cost. Shrink-fit heating systems start at around $5,000 and go up from there. They also require fairly significant power, adding a slight ongoing expense.

Maintenance

If you want to see a full return on your shrink-fit investment and then some, maintenance is critical. When dealing with temperatures that can approach 600 deg F, the stakes are heightened.

This is why we recommend using dry cutting tools without oil on them. From there, diligent attention must be paid to the cleanliness of holder bores and tool shanks. Any contamination will be baked onto the metal and progressively deteriorate performance.

When it comes to hydraulic chucks, maintenance is straightforward as long as the hydraulic chamber stays sealed. To ensure the hydraulic system performs consistently, we recommend using test pins to gauge its force over time.

Training, Handling and Safety

Hydraulic chucks are infinitely simple. A turn of a wrench locks the tool in place. When it comes to shrink-fit systems, there are a few more factors to consider when getting the team up to speed, including safety considerations. Aside from the operators who handle the tooling and heating system directly, others on the floor need to be made aware of the risk of burns.

Heating stations are usually benchtop arrangements because of the power requirements. This means hot metal will need to be transported across the floor in one form or another. Another training consideration is that tools can be overcooked, so to speak. This will cause permanent damage that harms performance. Operators must understand, know how to prevent and diagnose this.

Setup

As mentioned earlier, hydraulic chucks use a simple wrench to lock in the tool. Tools can also be swapped at the machine or offline. When it comes to shrink-fit setups, they must be done exclusively offline where the heating and cooling can be powered. Most heating cycles can be as fast as 15 seconds.

Cooling can take several minutes, even with assistance like air. Having extra compatible holders is a viable solution to speed concerns, if you’re comfortable with the additional investment. All that being said, there are significant time-saving opportunities to be found setting up tools offline. We believe strongly in tool measuring systems and recommend offline setup when and where applicable.

Vibration

Hydraulic chucks have two specific advantages in terms of vibration and accuracy. The first is that shrink-fit tools and holders are dependent on the heating and cooling processes being consistent. This brings us back to the maintenance section above; the slightest imperfection in the holder bore, not to mention the natural inconsistencies in the heating and cooling processes, can be multiplied at the cutting edge in the form of vibration or runout.

There is also the chance of some variation from operator to operator. Hydraulic chucks are less reliant on these variables and their production is imminently consistent. Once a master bore is established during manufacturing and assembly, it’s a repeatable process over thousands of cycles.

This translates to consistent clamping tolerances and forces over the life of the holder. The second advantage is the natural damping characteristics that hydraulics provide. That’s not to say shrink-fit holders are ineffective in terms of vibration management. Their runout is five times better than side-lock holders.

Roughing and Finishing

That brings us to some application talk. While they may not be as precise, shrink-fit holders’ rigidity makes them effective in moderate to heavy milling work where clearance is an issue, and in many high speed scenarios. The superior vibration control of hydraulic chucks makes them good choices for finish milling, reaming and drilling work.

Roughing and Finishing

Up to this point, you may think I’m an advocate of hydraulic chucks over shrink-fit holders, but that’s not the case. We offer both products. In fact, shrink-fit holders are fundamentally the perfect tool holder. From an engineering perspective, there are no moving parts, no additional components, they use the properties of the holder itself to grip the tool and they’re symmetrically round. But as we all know, a manufacturing floor is not a perfect environment. Variables must be considered when choosing equipment.

Should the choice between hydraulic chucks and shrink-fit holders come up, the factors discussed here will help guide your choice.
1 Comment

    Technical Support Blog

    At Next Generation Tool we often run into many of the same technical questions from different customers. This section should answer many of your most common questions.

    We set up this special blog for the most commonly asked questions and machinist data tables for your easy reference.

    If you've got a question that's not answered here, then just send us a quick note via email or reach one of us on our CONTACTS page here on the website
    email us

    Authorship

    Our technical section is written by several different people. Sometimes, it's from our team here at Next Generation Tooling & at other times it's by one of the innovative manufacturer's we represent in California and Nevada.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    September 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    November 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    March 2013
    December 2012
    March 2012
    November 2011
    May 2011
    March 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010

    Categories

    All
    5th Axis
    Aerospace
    Allied Machine
    Aluminum Oxide
    Angle Head
    AT3
    Balance
    Bellmouthed Hole
    Big Daishowa
    Big EWA Automatic Boring
    Big Kaiser
    BIG Plus
    Blue Photon
    Bone Screws
    Boring Tool
    Carbide
    Carmex Precision
    CBN
    Centerline Deviation
    Ceramic Black
    Ceramic End Mill
    Ceramic Inserts
    Ceramic Oxide
    Ceramic Whiskered
    Ceramic White
    Chamfer
    Champion Tool Storage
    Chip Breaking
    Circular Saw
    Class Of Fit
    CNC Lathe Tooling
    Collet
    Collet Chuck
    Collet ER
    Composites
    Covid-19
    Deep Hole Boring
    Deep Hole Drilling
    Drilling
    Dual Contact
    Dyna Contact Gage
    Dyna Force Tool
    Dyna Test Bar
    EMO
    End Mill
    Exotap
    Facemill
    Fixturing
    Fretting
    Gaylee Saw
    Hard Turning
    Heimatec
    Helical Interpolation
    Hohl Shaft Kegel
    How Its Made
    HSK A
    HSK-A
    HSK E
    HSK-E
    HSK F
    HSK-F
    HXL Tap
    Hy Pro Tap
    Hy-Pro Tap
    IMTS
    Jergens
    Kurt
    Lang
    Live Tooling
    MA Ford
    Maintenance Cart
    Mapal
    Martindale Saw
    Material: Aluminum
    Material: CFRP
    Material: D2
    Material: Hastelloy
    Material: Inconel
    Material: Peek
    Material: Stone
    Material Titanium
    Material: VC-10
    Metric Course Thread
    Metric Fine Thread
    Metric Thread Chart
    Microconic
    Micromachining
    ModLoc
    Modular
    Mogul Bars
    MPower
    No Go Too Loose
    NTK
    NTK HX5
    On Site Training
    OptiMill-SPM
    OSG Tap & Die
    Oversized Thread
    Parlec
    PCD
    PCT Firm Hold
    Platinum Tooling
    Projection Length
    Pull Studs
    Reamer
    Retention Knob
    Rotary Toolholders
    Rotary Toolholders BT
    Rotary Toolholders CAT
    Rotary Toolholders HSK
    Rotary Toolholders Hydraulic
    Rotary Toolholders Shrink
    Rough Thread
    Runout
    Runout Axial
    Runout Radial
    Saw Selection
    Short Tap Life
    Sialons
    Silicon Nitride
    Smart Damper
    Speed Increaser
    SpeedLoc
    Speroni STP Essntia
    Spindle Mouth Wear
    Swiss
    Swiss Machining
    Taper Wear
    Tapping Feed
    Tapping; Form
    Tapping IPM
    Tapping: Roll
    Tapping RPM
    Tapping Speed
    Tap Tolerance
    Technical Training
    Technicrafts
    Techniks USA
    Thread Milling
    Thread Whirling
    T.I.R.
    Tolerance
    Toolchanger Alignment
    Toolholder Taper
    Tool Presetter
    Torn Thread
    Troubleshooting
    UNC Thread Size
    Undersized Thread
    UNF Thread Size
    Unilock
    Vises
    Workholding

    RSS Feed

Picture

About
Contact
TOOLING
WORKHOLDING
EVENTS
NEWS
TECHNICAL


Established 1995
​

Next Generation Tooling
10240 Cavalletti Drive
Sacramento CA 95829
916.765.4227
Northern California
23 Maxwell Street
Suite B
Lodi, CA 95240
Southern California
22343 La Palma Avenue
​Suite 126
Yorba Linda, CA 92887
© 2023 Next Generation Tooling, LLC. 
All Rights Reserved
Created by Rapid Production Marketing

Find us on Instagram @nextgentool

  • Home
    • Schedule
    • Training
  • About
    • History
    • Contact
  • Territories
    • NorCal & N-NV
    • SoCal & S-NV
    • Mountains
  • Principals
    • Tooling >
      • 2V Industries
      • BIG Daishowa
      • Champion Storage
      • Drill America
      • Jewell Group
      • Mapal
      • Martindale Gaylee
      • OSG Tool
      • Performance Micro Tool
      • Platinum Tooling
      • TechniksUSA
    • Workholding >
      • BIG Daishowa
      • Earth Chain
      • Jergens
      • mPower Workholding
  • Promotions
  • Events
  • News
  • Technical