Alcester-based Seco Tools (UK) Ltd (www.secotools.com) has revealed the company’s latest tooling systems to make the transition from the R&D lab to the commercial market.

Seco’s EPB 5831 hydraulic chucks feature a slender profile, making it easy to undertake semi-finishing and finishing operations in confined spaces, such as when machining tight and narrow cavities in mould tools.

In addition to their slim design, the chucks are available in lengths of 150 and 200mm, allowing access to deep workpiece cavities. EPB 5831 chucks use high pressure via a single pressurising screw to grip small-diameter cutting tools uniformly.

According to Seco, this results in a run-out of less than 5µm at 3xD. The chucks accommodate 6, 8, 10 and 12mm tool diameters; and by using reduction sleeves, they can hold various shank types and diameters.

For example, with a sleeve, the 12mm hydraulic chuck can hold 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10mm-diameter tools. EPB 5831 chucks are available in HSK-A63, HSK-A100, BT 40 and Seco-Capto C5 machine interfaces.

Another new development from Seco is the ER-to-Combimaster compact holder, which is said to give multi-tasking machine tool users a stable, versatile and easy-to-use tooling solution.

The system combines ER taper, ER clamping nuts and a ball bearing interface to give reliable and accurate tool positioning, says Seco. Highly adaptable, the ER-to-Combimaster system is suitable for face, side and disc milling operations using insert-based milling cutters (as opposed to solid-carbide end mills).

Moreover, the system allows high rates of material removal to be achieved. Combimaster is available in three ER sizes — 25, 32 and 40 — and five Combimaster thread-size connections, ranging from M8 to M20.

The system supports a range of interchangeable milling-cutter heads and is particularly suited to Seco’s Turbo range of tools.