The Corsham-based tool-holding specialist Gewefa UK Ltd (www.gewefa.co.uk) has further expanded its programme of standard face-and-taper tool-holders by 50%, following the addition of a range of extended-length holders that greatly increase the areas of application.

The Gewefa family of face and taper tool-holders now covers BT and DIN formats in SK30, 40 and 50 tapers. The new variants cover all formats, including collet chucks, shell mills, face mills, shrink-clamp and hydraulic chucks in standard or adapter formats.

With face and taper, the crucial contact surfaces are precision ground to ensure an exceptionally rigid tool/spindle surface contact, while also optimising the clamping properties.

This creates the conditions for improved cutter life, along with better accuracy and cutting capability — all features that impact positively on high-speed and heavy-duty machining processes.

Gewefa has a long history as a manufacturer of face-and-taper tooling; as long ago as the mid-1970s, it was manufacturing tool-holders in this format for machines using spindles from Waldrich Coburg, Ingersoll and Werner & Pfleiderer.

The company subsequently developed its own comprehensive range, which is completely interchangeable with other proprietary systems.

Gewefa UK’s managing director, Keith Warner, said: “In the overall scenario of tool-holding, face and taper is increasingly popular in heavy-duty and high-speed applications.

“The enhanced surface contact with the chuck has direct knock-on advantages in precision, rigidity and maintaining accuracy.”