TF-25 Swiss Pickoff Collet for Internal Gripping of Threaded or Thin-wall Parts
This custom designed Swiss-style pickoff collet is manufactured by Hardinge Inc. for Citizen 20mm machines and other brand screw machines that use TF-25 sub-spindle collets.
Originally designed for Brookdale Associates (Agawam, Mass), this internal gripping solution played a key roll in finalizing the sale of a Citizen machine, according to Randy Nickerson, Applications Engineer and Training Manager at Brookdale Associates. The job involved picking off a very thin-walled part from the main spindle for additional back- turning and facing of the part. The customer application incorporated automated loading of slugs into the main spindle. They wanted to eliminate any second operation to finish this part complete with an unmanned operation, and would not accept any alterations to the sub-spindle. Hardinge designed a solution to fit within the existing draw tube parameters without having to shorten the draw tube. Without alterations the sub-spindle is still able to function within it¹s normal capabilities to run other jobs.
Randy commented that he depends on Hardinge¹s knowledge and expertise in the industry for a reliable product that he and his customer can depend on. "When the customer has an unusual or complicated process where there is room for something to go wrong, we turn to Hardinge for the right solution," stated Randy Nickerson.
The TF-25 ID pickoff collet is application specific and grips just one part, however it could accommodate other similar jobs by changing out the expanding head portion of the assembly, according to Roger Smith, Hardinge Workholding Engineer. With a universal collet body, Hardinge is able to quickly create variations of expanding heads for other customer requirements for Citizen, Hardinge, Star, Tornos Deco and Tsugami sub-spindles that use TF-25 collets.
Hardinge manufactures and stocks Swiss-type headstock collets, standard pickoff collets, carbide guide bushings and bar loader collets for all brands of Swiss-type lathes. They have a dedicated staff and facility for manufacturing special collets, step chucks and fixturing devices. Phone support, applications engineers and high-skilled machinists work solely with special workholding requirements on a daily basis. For more information contact the Hardinge Special Collet Division at 800-843-8801, or fax 607-734-3886.