An expanding collet is a specialized type of workholding device used in machining operations to secure a workpiece. It consists of a cylindrical sleeve or tube with longitudinal slots or cuts, which allow it to expand when a force is applied. The collet is typically inserted into a collet chuck or fixture and tightened […]
What is an Expanding Collet? Read More »
I get a lot of inquiries asking, “how much expansion can you get from our expanding collets”? Most expanding collets that are activated by a screw pulling back into the front taper of a collet will only have a maximum expansion of .010”. The reason being, if the collet is expanded beyond .010”, you will
Expansion Range of Expanding Collets Read More »
We recently received a request to machine a custom Expanding Collet to fit the ID of a plastic part. The only thing that was unusual about this, is that the part could not come into contact with the entire face that it was locating on. To achieve this, we simply tree panned a face groove
Custom Expanding Collet Read More »
Every year I get a few calls where a customer needs to grab the ID of a part, but they don’t have a collet chuck or just can’t justify the cost of a complete Expanding Collet Assembly for the one job they’re working on. I usually will suggest that they use a set of Aluminum
Using Full Circle Jaws to hold The ID of a Part Read More »
Every so often I am asked if we offer our expanding collets with a rubber seal that fits into the slots. The purpose for this would be to eliminate chips from getting into the slots. Metal chips, in some instances, can get stuck in the slots of the expanding collet. This can possibly prevent the
Sealing Expanding Collets Read More »
I get a few phone calls from customers every year regarding breakage issues with our Expanding Collets or the collet growing to the point that you can no longer get the part on the collet. Read on for a couple of simple solutions to these two problems. Let’s begin with the breaking problem: 99.9% of
When to use a Heat Treated Expanding Collet Read More »
There are several different methods to use when machining collets to your desired size. Please note that it’s very important to seat a collet into the spindle prior to machining. Expand the collet between .003”-.005” depending on how much the inside diameter of the part varies. Listed below are a few options to choose from:
How to Machine an Expanding Collet on a CNC Lathe Read More »
For those really big jobs, we have a line of Heavy Duty Expanding Collets that provide greater strength and rigidity. This collet system is designed to work with machines that have either a 16C or 3J spindle. This system works off the same principle as that of the Rovi 5C system. It still includes the
Rovi Heavy Duty Expanding Collets Read More »
I come across this question a lot: Can you use an Expanding Collet in a True Length or Dead Length Style Collet chuck? The answer to this question is a resounding NO!! The reason being is that Rovi and other Manufacturers of Expanding Collets use a screw that is mounted in the front of the
CNC Collet Chucks and Expanding Collets Read More »
Had a customer call today ( I’ll call him Bob) inquiring about an application that involved holding on to a Plastic part that was .750” on the OD and had an ID of .400”. The overall length of the part was 1.900” Bob was using another manufacturer’s 5C Expanding Collet System and having trouble with
Expanding Collet Case Study Read More »
