Rugby-based Mapal (www.mapal.com) has developed its first range of hydraulic chucks specifically for tool grinders.

The HydroChuck Grind-A and HydroChuck Grind-M, which are manufactured for shank tolerance h6, offer low wear characteristics. Mapal says that when designing the new HydroChuck range, it paid particular attention to minimising access restrictions to the tool and achieving the best possible grinding-wheel run-out.

The automatic workpiece clamping of the HydroChuck Grind-A is characterised by its ‘energy efficiency’ function. The workpiece is clamped by means of a cup-type spring pack, which ensures that the hydraulics of the machine are only required for releasing the workpiece.

Using two dial gauges, the hydraulic chuck can be set and adjusted in just a few minutes to micron precision. Furthermore, any ‘wobble’ can be compensated for, says Mapal.

Complementing the Grind-A automatic chuck is the HydroChuck Grind-M, which is designed for manual workpiece clamping using a hexagonal-head screw. Grind-A is available for clamping tool shank diameters of 20mm, whereas Grind-M has been developed for 12, 20 and 32mm tool diameters. Reducing sleeves are available to accommodate common tool shank sizes.