AIR COLLET CLOSERS

Stationary air collet closers are used for milling, drilling and tapping operations. They can be used as single station units or mounted on a rotary table or a pallet. They use between 50 and 100 psi depending on the holding power necessary for a particular operation. The air collet closers have a thru hole equal to the collet capacity

The standard air collet closer refers to a simple air cylinder which is adapted to a collet of a particular type using direct air pressure. When air is applied to the piston, it moves until the part in the collet is held firmly. The air pressure in the cylinder holds the piston in place until it is released. The part is held only by the force of air against the piston. This is a simple and effective way to hold a part for many machining and assembly operations. However, all holding pressure is directly related to the diameter of the piston and the air line pressure.

The air-mechanical collet closer refers to an air cylinder which is designed to collapse a collet of a particular type using air pressure and mechanical leverage. This cylinder uses air pressure to move the piston, which actuates a series of balls and inclined planes to increase the force of air pressure against the collet sleeve. The air against the piston in this collet closer does not directly hold the part, but compresses the balls between the inclined planes. The movement of the balls between the inclined planes lifts the collet sleeve, collapsing the collet. This increases the holding power to well above that attained by simple air pressure. The diameter of the piston can by considerably smaller while achieving the same holding power of a simple cylinder with a much larger piston. The part to be machined is also held firmly against the base of the fixture and not on a cushion of air.