A collet is a segmented sleeve, band or collar.[1][2] One of the two radial surfaces of a collet is usually tapered (i.e a truncated cone) and the other is cylindrical. The term collet commonly refers to a type of chuck that uses collets to hold either a workpiece or a tool (such as a drill) but has other mechanical applications.
An external collet is a sleeve with a cylindrical inner surface and a conical outer surface. The collet can be squeezed against a matching taper such that its inner surface contracts to a slightly smaller diameter, squeezing the tool or workpiece to hold it securely. Most often the collet is made of spring steel, with one or more kerf cuts along its length to allow it to expand and contract. This type of collet holds the external surface of the tool or workpiece being clamped. This is the most usual type of collet chuck. An external collet clamps against the internal surface or bore of a hollow cylinder. The collet's taper is internal and the collet expands when a corresponding taper is drawn or forced into the collet's internal taper.
As a clamping device, collets are capable of producing a high clamping force and accurate alignment. While the clamping surface of a collet is normally cylindrical, it can be made to accept any defined shape.
Several machine collets (top and centre) and a dismantled pin chuck (below).Generally, a collet chuck,[3] considered as a unit, consists of a tapered receiving sleeve (sometimes integral with the machine spindle), the collet proper (usually made of spring steel) which is inserted into the receiving sleeve, and (often) a cap that screws over the collet, clamping it via another taper.
For machining operations, such as turning, chucks are commonly used to hold the workpiece. The table below gives a functional comparison of the three most common types of chuck used for holding workpieces.
Comparison with different types of chucks - Collet Scroll chuck Independent-jaw chuck 1. Fast chucking (unclamp one part, switch to a new part, reclamp) Reliably Reliably Generally not 2. Self centering Reliably Reliably Never 3. Strong clamping Reliably[4] Usually Reliably 4. Resistance against being jarred loose (untightened) Reliably[4] To varying extents Usually 5. Precise centering (run-out less than 0.005 in (0.13 mm) TIR and usually less than 0.001 in (0.025 mm)) Reliably[4] Not reliably Reliably (but requires time and skill)Collets have a narrow clamping range and a large number of collets are required to hold a given range of tools (such as drills) or stock material. This gives the disadvantage of higher capital cost and makes them unsuitable for general usage in electric drills, etc. However, the collet's advantage over other types of chuck is that it combines all of the following traits into one chuck; making it highly useful for repetitive work.
Metalworking
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There are many types of collet used in the metalworking industry. Common industry-standard designs are R8[5] (internally threaded for mills) and 5C[6] (usually externally threaded for lathes). There are also proprietary designs which only fit one manufacturer's equipment. Collets can range in holding capacity from zero to several inches in diameter. The most common type of collet grips a round bar or tool, but there are collets for square, hexagonal, and other shapes. In addition to the outside-holding collets, there are collets used for holding a part on its inside surface so that it can be machined on the outside surface (similar to an expanding mandrel). Furthermore, it is not uncommon for machinists to make a custom collet to hold any unusual size or shape of part. These are often called emergency collets (e-collets) or soft collets (from the fact that they are bought in a soft (unhardened) state and machined as needed). Yet another type of collet is a step collet which steps up to a larger diameter from the spindle and allows holding of larger workpieces.
In use, the part to be held is inserted into the collet and then the collet is pressed (using a threaded nose cap) or drawn (using a threaded drawbar) into the body which has a conjugate taper form. The taper geometry serves to translate a portion of the axial drawing force into a radial clamping force. When properly tightened, enough force is applied to securely clamp the workpiece or tool. The cap or drawbar threads act as a screw lever, and this leverage is compounded by the taper, such that a modest torque on the screw produces an enormous clamping force.
The precise, symmetric form and rigid material of the collet provide precise, repeatable radial centering and axial concentricity. The basic mechanism fixes four of the six degrees of kinematic freedom, two locations and two angles. Collets may also be fitted to precisely align parts in the axial direction (a fifth degree of freedom) with an adjustable internal stop or by a shoulder stop machined into the internal form. The remaining sixth degree of freedom, namely the rotation of the part in the collet, may be fixed by using square, hexagonal, or other non-circular part geometry.
ER collets
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The "ER" collet system, developed and patented by Rego-Fix in 1973, and standardized as DIN 6499, is the most widely used clamping system in the world and today available from many producers worldwide.[7][8] The standard series are: ER-8, ER-11, ER-16, ER-20, ER-25, ER-32, ER-40, and ER-50. The "ER" name came from an existing "E" collet (which were a letter series of names) which Rego-Fix modified and appended "R" for "Rego-Fix". The series number is the opening diameter of the tapered receptacle, in millimetres. ER collets collapse to hold parts up to 1 mm smaller than the nominal collet internal size in most of the series (up to 2 mm smaller in ER-50, and 0.5 mm in smaller sizes) and are available in 1 mm or 0.5 mm steps. Thus a given collet holds any diameter ranging from its nominal size to its 1-mm-smaller collapsed size, and a full set of ER collets in nominal 1 mm steps fits any possible cylindrical diameter within the capacity of the series. With an ER fixture chuck, ER collets may also serve as workholding fixtures for small parts, in addition to their usual application as toolholders with spindle chucks.[9] Although a metric standard, ER collets with internal inch sizes are widely available for convenient use of imperial sized tooling. The spring geometry of the ER collet is well-suited only to cylindrical parts, and not typically applied to square or hexagonal forms like 5C collets.
Autolock collets
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"Autolock" collet chucks (Osbourn "Pozi-Lock" is a similar system) were designed to provide secure clamping of milling cutters with only hand tightening. They were developed in the 1940s by a now defunct UK company, Clarkson (Engineers) Limited, and are commonly known as Clarkson chucks. Autolock collets require cutters with threaded shank ends to screw into the collet itself. Any rotation of the cutter forces the collet against the collet cap taper which tightly clamps the cutter, the screw fitting also prevents any tendency of the cutter to pull out. Collets are only available in fixed sizes, imperial or metric, and the cutter shank must be an exact match.[10]
The tightening sequence of Autolock collets is widely misunderstood. The chuck cap itself does not tighten the collet at all, with the cap tight and no tool inserted the collet is loose in the chuck. Only when a cutter is inserted will the collet be pressed against the cap taper. The back of the cutter engages with a centering pin and further turning drives the collet against the chuck cap, tightening around the cutter shank, hence "Autolock".
The correct installation sequence as per the original specification is:
As the tool is used further rotation tightens the collet and the centering pin ensures that tool extension and alignment remain unchanged. A spanner is only required to release the locked collet.[11]
While threaded shank "Autolock" tools may be gripped by plain collets, such as ER, plain shank tools should never be used in an "Autolock" collet as they will not be properly clamped or aligned.
R8 collets
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R8 ColletsR8 collets were developed by Bridgeport Machines, Inc. for use in milling machines. Unusually, R8 collets fit into the machine taper itself (i.e. there is no separate chuck) and tools with integral R8 taper can also be directly fitted. R8 was developed to allow rapid tool changes and requires an exact match between collet and tool shank diameter.
R8 collets have a keyway to prevent rotation when fitting or removing, but it is the compressed taper and not the keyway that provides the driving force. Collets are compressed by a drawbar from behind, they are self releasing and tool changes can be automated.
5C collets
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Unlike most other machine collet systems, 5C collets were developed primarily for work holding. Superficially similar to R8 collets, 5C collets have an external thread at the rear for drawing the collet closed and so work pieces may pass right through the collet and chuck (5C collets often also have an internal thread for workpiece locating). Collets are also available to hold square and hex stock. 5C collets have a limited closing range, and so shank and collet diameters must be a close match. A number of other C-series collets (1C, 3C, 4C, 5C, 16C, 20C & 25C) with different holding ranges also exist.
A collet system with capabilities similar to the 5C (originally a proprietary system of Hardinge) is the 2J (originally a proprietary system of Sjogren,[12] a competitor of Hardinge, and which Hardinge later assimilated).
From left to right 5C, 2J and 3J collets. All 1" workholding size.355E Collets
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The SO Deckel tool grinders use these. Sometimes called U2 collets.
Watchmaker collets
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Watchmaking at Waltham, Massachusetts led to the invention of collets. Watchmakers' lathes all take collets which are sized by their external thread. The most popular size is 8 mm which came in several variations but all 8 mm collets are interchangeable. Lorch, a German Lathe maker, started with 6 mm collets and the first Boleys used a 6.5 mm collet. 6 mm collets will fit into a 6.5 mm lathe but it is a poor practice. Another popular size is the 10 mm collet used by Clement and Levin. For work holding, collets are sized in 0.1 mm increments with the number on the face being the diameter in tenths of a millimetre. Thus a 5 is a 0.5 mm collet.
Watchmaker collets come in additional configurations. There are step collets which step inward to hold gear wheels by the outer perimeter. These typically were made in sets of five to accommodate a range of different size gear wheels. These, like straight rod-holding collets, close on the outer taper. Ring collets also come in sets of five and hold work from inside a hole. They open as they are tightened by an outside taper against the outer taper of the lathe headstock.
Watch collets also include taper adapters and wax or cement chucks. These collets take an insert, usually brass, to which small parts are cemented, usually with shellac.
The book The Modern Watchmaker's Lathe and How to Use it[13] contains tables of makers and sizes; note that it refers to basic collets as split wire chucks.
DIN 6343 dead length collets
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These collets are common especially on production machines, particularly European lathes with lever or automated closers. Unlike draw-in collets, they do not pull back to close, but are generally pushed forward, with the face remaining in place.
Multi-size collets
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Collets allowing a wider range of workholding by means of springs or elastic spacers between jaws; such collets were developed by Jacobs (Rubberflex), Crawford (Multibore), and Pratt Burnerd, and are in some cases compatible with certain spring collet chucks.
Morse taper collets
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The Morse taper is a common machine taper frequently used in drills, lathes and small milling machines. Chucks for drilling usually use a Morse taper and can be removed to accommodate Morse taper drill bits. Morse taper collet sets usually employ ER collets in an adaptor to suit the Morse taper. The adaptor is threaded to be held in place with a drawbar. They can be used to hold strait-shanked tooling (drills and milling cutters) more securely and with better accuracy (less run-out) than a chuck.
Other applications
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Woodwork
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On a wood router (a hand-held or table-mounted power tool used in woodworking), the collet is what holds the bit in place. In the U.S. it is generally for 0.25 or 0.5 inches (6.4 or 12.7 mm) bits, while in Europe bits are most commonly 6, 8 or 12 mm (0.24, 0.31 or 0.47 in). The collet nut is hexagonal on the outside so it can be tightened or loosened with a standard wrench, and has threads on the inside so it can be screwed onto the motor arbor.
Craft hobbies
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Many users (hobbyists, graphic artists, architects, students, and others) may be familiar with collets as the part of an X-Acto or equivalent knife that holds the blade. Another common example is the collet that holds the bits of a Dremel or equivalent rotary tool.
Semiconductor work
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In semiconductor industry, a die collet is used for picking a die up from a wafer after die cutting process has finished, and bonding it into a package. Some of them are made with rubber, and use vacuum for picking.
Internal combustion engines
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Valve, spring, retainer and split colletMost internal combustion engines use a split collet to hold both the inlet and exhaust valves under constant valve spring pressure which returns the valves to their closed position when the camshaft lobes are not in contact with the top of the valves. The two collet halves have an internal raised rib which locate into a circular groove near the top of each valve stem, the outer side of the collet halves are a taper fit into the spring retainer (also known as a collar), this taper locks the retainer in place and the raised rib that sits in the circular groove on the valve stem also locks the collet halves in place to the valve stem. To remove the valves from a cylinder head a 'valve spring compressor' is used to compress the valve springs by exerting force on the spring retainer which allows the collets to be removed, when the compressor is removed, the retainer, spring and valve can then be removed from the cylinder head. It may be realized that the retainer does not budge when the valve spring compressor is used, this is due to a buildup of carbon which over time has locked the retainer and collets slightly. A slight sharp tap on the backside of the valve spring compressor above the valve stem should free the retainer allowing the springs to be compressed whilst retrieving the split collet. On reassembly it is difficult to keep the split collets in place whilst the compressor is released, by applying a small amount of grease to the internal side of the split collets will keep them in place on the valve stem whilst releasing the compressor, then as the spring retainer rises it locks the tapered split collets in place.
Firearms
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The Blaser R93 (and related models) use a unique bolt locking system that employs an expanding collet. The collet has claw-like L-shaped segments that face outward from the axis of the barrel. The multiple claws give a large contact area to distribute load. As the breech is closed, the collet expands, extending the claws to engaging with an annular groove in the barrel just behind the chamber; locking the bolt closed.[14][15]
See also
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References
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Bibliography
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Overview
Collets 101: The Definitive Guide covers five popular collet series: ER collets, TG collets, DA collets, AF collets, and RDO collets. In each section, you will find: recommended uses for each type of collet, along with accuracy metrics (T.I.R.), and tips for how to care for each collet system. If you are new to all of this, please refer to the FAQ & Glossary at the end of this guide for some answers to common beginner questions.
5 Collet Types & Recommended Applications
RDG/TG Collet RDO Collet RD/ER Collet RDF/AF Collet RDA/DA Collet MillingER Collets: The Best Toolholding Collet System
The RD/ER Collet System is the most versatile Toolholding System for any operation utilizing a round shank cutting tool in a machining or turning center. This includes drilling, milling, tapping, reaming and boring. RD/ER Collets are commonly known in the industry as ER, ESX, DR, BR, and VSAC Collets.
RECOMMENDED USES OF ER COLLETS
ER collets are recommended for Drilling, Milling, Rigid Tapping, Tapping (with Length Compensation), Reaming, Boring, Coolant Through, External Coolant Through, and High Precision Grinding.
RD/ER Collets are available in the following series ranges to maximize efficiency in most applications:
Series
HIGHEST ACCURACY: RD/ER COLLET CONCENTRICITY – PER DIN 6499
METRIC Clamping Range D L Maximum T.I.R. PrecisionACCURACY OF ER COLLETS
The RD / ER collet system is the only popular Toolholding system in which all components (ER chucks, ER collets and ER clamping nuts) are standardized by DIN 6499. Most Toolholding Collet systems state the collet is .0005 or .001 T.I.R. but, that does not mean that this is the accuracy one will achieve on the cutting tool when mounted into the chuck. The accuracy of the RD/ER assembly is guaranteed to conform to the DIN 6499 Table.
ER collet systems are truly interchangeable. All manufacturers of the ER collet system should conform to the DIN6499 standard. This becomes important to users that may have toolholding systems from different Toolholding System Manufacturers. As tools are taken out of the tool crib and reassembled for different jobs, if all the RD/ER system components are in good condition, and are from Quality Toolholding System Manufacturers, the collet and tool should achieve the DIN 6499 accuracy.
Mixing components of Toolholding Systems other than RD/ER can have varying results. While other Toolholding systems may be “interchangeable”, none of the Toolholding Systems Manufacturers know the tolerances and specifications others are using for all of the components.
HOW TO USE ENDMILLS
When using endmills or any round shank cutting tool, collets and collet chucks centralize the cutting tool, unlike conventional sidelock endmill holders that push the tool to the side of the bore of the holder with a set screw. This method creates a small contact area on the cutting tool and shifts the cutting tool from the true centerline of the Machine spindle. With the cutting tool off-center, the cutting tool edges have an uneven load and will wear out prematurely. Collets and Collet Chucks centralizing the cutting tool will result in increased tool life, higher feed rates, better workpiece accuracy and enhanced workpiece finish. Carbide endmills are usually not supplied with a weldon or locking flat for side lock endmill holders. This is because they are not designed to be used in side lock endmill holders. Many Machinists hand grind a locking flat on to the shank of the carbide end mills to use them in side lock holders, perhaps it would be better to use them in the type of tool that they are designed to be used in.
METHOD OF INSERTION & RELEASE FOR RD/ER COLLETS
INSERTINGHold nut in vertical position and remove nut at an angle. Collet is automatically withdrawn from chuck by excentric ring of nut when unscrewed.
CARE AND USE OF ER COLLET SYSTEMS
The ER chuck, ER collet and ER nut must be thoroughly cleaned before assembling to maintain accuracy. Use a benchtop ultrasonic cleaner to dislodge fine chips and debris. You can also use a bottle-type brush to clean the inner diameter of the collet and a toothbrush-style brush to clean the exterior.
Once assembled, a normal machining environment will not affect the ER toolholding assembly. The ER collet must be installed into the nut (see assembly instructions) before engagement with the collet chuck to ensure the ER collet is seated into the 30 degree concave angle of the nut. Putting the ER collet into the chuck and then installing the nut will result in a condition that the eccentric ring of nut will engage only one side of the collet and produce poor results such as runout and drastically reduced holding strength.
Never try to install a cutting tool with a larger shank than the maximum or nominal diameter of the collet to expand the collet. Most ER Collets are designed to collapse 1mm or .039. For example: If the cutting tool shank is 4.2mm a 4-3mm is not suitable. A 4.5-3.5mm collet would be required.
Sealed ER Collets for coolant through applications do not have a collapse range, and must be used at exact size. The radius of the collet must exactly match the radius of the cutting tool shank in order to maintain a complete seal. If companies claim that they have sealed collets with a collapse range please keep in mind that if the radius does not match exactly coolant canals will be created by the mismatched radius of an improperly sized collet.
RD/ER Collets must be tightened correctly. Many machinists have been trained that nothing is ever too tight. This is particularly not true with collets and collet chucks. Overtightening a collet chuck will distort the collet and actually diminish the holding strength and accuracy. Maximum tightening torque for RD/ER Systems is as follows:
Series SizeCutting tools should be inserted into the collet the full length of the bore wherever possible. Failure to insert the cutting tool into at least 2/3 of the bore may distort the collet. Collets should be cleaned and oiled prior to storage.
BENEFITS OF ER COLLETS
ER Collets are also very economical when compared with other popular collet systems. Collets work best when used at nominal or full diameter but when the economy is desired this system compares very favorably with other systems. If a user would like to cover a range of 1/8-1″ with a toolholding system please consider that with the RD/ER System this only requires 23 collets. With a TG system of the same capacity it takes 59 collets to cover the same range. When compared with DA collets with a capacity of 1/16-3/4″ the RD/ER system only requires 18 collets while the DA needs 45 collets to cover the same range. This represents a significant cost saving while improving accuracy, and versatility.
THE CENTAUR “GREEN ZONE”
BENEFITS OF CENTAUR “GREEN ZONE” ER COLLETS
Centaur manufactures the widest variety of exact size collets in the industry to ensure you get the most out of your cutting tools, to reduce downtime and tooling costs.
Centaur offer RD/ER collets in full millimeter sizes, .5mm sizes and true inch size collets in 1/32″ increments from inventory.
Centaur also offers Sealed High Precision Collets for coolant through applications.
Centaur Sealed ER collets are available with internal flow for oil hole tools or, with external flow (coolant canals through the collet) for use with cutting tools with or without oil holes. The external flow collets are especially beneficial for applications where there is coolant through the spindle but lower cost solid cutting tools are desired or applications where oil hole tools are used in through holes.
Centaur external flow ER collets are also extremely beneficial for through holes with oil hole cutting tools, as this will ensure that the cutting is properly cooled completely throughout the entire cycle. In many applications as the cutting tool is passing through or breaking through the workpiece the coolant may be just passing through the hole, with an external flow sealed collet one can be assured the complete cutting edge and lands of the drill are cooled throughout the complete cycle.
Centaur offers the most extensive program for ER tapping collets in the industry. ER Tapping collets will allow users to convert collet chucks used for many purposes into tapping chucks.
Centaur’s ER rigid tapping collets with square drive are available in inch or metric sizes, standard or sealed for internal or external coolant flow.
Centaur also offers RDT/ER tapping collets. These collets will inexpensively convert a standard collet chuck into a length compensating, Quick-change tapping chuck with square drive.
Centaur manufactures each collet from high-grade spring steel and are hardened and fully ground for absolute precision. Each Centaur collet is 100% inspected for the highest possible accuracy.
Browse ER Collets
TG Collets
RDG/TG collets achieve higher accuracy and greater gripping strength than DA collets and some other popular collet systems. This system will perform well in applications up to 10,000 RPM. RDG/TG collets are also known in the industry as DF, BG, VDF, and PG collets.
RECOMMENDED USES OF TG COLLETS
RDG/TG Collets are used for Milling, Drilling and Rigid Tapping. RDG/TG collets are available sealed for coolant through applications. RDG/TG collets. RDG/TG in 1/64” Increments or .5mm increments for metric sized tools.
ACCURACY OF TG COLLETS
RDG/TG Collets are within .0005 T.I.R. The collet chucks are within .0002 T.I.R. from the cone to the collet seat bore. The nuts are designed to float to allow for centering of the collet. RDG/TG systems when properly cleaned and assembled can achieve approximately .001 T.I.R. on a cutting tool shank in the assembly at a checking point length of about 2-3 times the diameter of the cutting tool. The collapse range of the RDG/TG Collets are 1/64”. As with all Collets it is recommended that the collet be used at the nominal or largest diameter. Sealed Collets do not have a collapse range and must be used at the exact size.
CARE AND USE OF TG COLLET SYSTEM
The TG chuck, TG collet and TG nut must be thoroughly cleaned before assembling to maintain accuracy. A benchtop ultrasonic cleaner will dislodge fine chips and debris or, a bottle type brush can be used for cleaning the inner diameter of the collet and a toothbrush style can be used to clean the exterior. Once assembled a normal machining environment will not affect the toolholding assembly.
The RDG/TG Collets must be snapped into the Clamping Nut prior to installing onto the Collet Chuck. Collets can be removed from the clamping nut by holding the small end of the collet and tilting the collet angularly until it is removed from the nut. Do not attempt to remove the collet from the clamping nut by forcing the collet out from the front of the collet nut using a punch or screwdriver as this will damage the collet and clamping nut. For maximum accuracy and holding strength RDG/TG Collets must be tightened correctly, maximum tightening torque is as follows:
RDG/TG 75Browse TG Collets
DA Collets
RDA/DA Collets are recommended for drilling. RDA/DA Collets were originally designed to clamp well on slightly uneven surfaces such as jobbers or taper length type drills. RDA/DA Collets are available in 1/64 increments and in .5mm increments for metric sizes. RDA/DA collets are also known in the industry as DA and VDA collets.
RECOMMENDED USES FOR DA COLLETS
RDA/DA collets are recommended for drilling only.
ACCURACY OF DA COLLETS
RDA/DA Collets are manufactured to within .0005 T.I.R. outer diameter to inner diameter. The length of parrallelism between the two female contacting angles in the chuck controls the accuracy of the system and is held to within plus or minus .0002. The clamping nut floats slightly to allow the chuck to center the collet. Normal accuracy is approximately .001 T.I.R at the face of the collet chuck.
CARE AND USE OF DA COLLETS
The DA chuck, DA collet and DA nut must be thoroughly cleaned before assembling to maintain accuracy. A benchtop ultrasonic cleaner will dislodge fine chips and debris or, a bottle type brush can be used for cleaning the inner diameter of the collet and a toothbrush style can be used to clean the exterior. Once assembled a normal machining environment will not affect the toolholding assembly.
Browse DA Collets
AF Collets
This highly accurate Acura-Flex collet system (AF collet system) was originated by Universal Engineering. RDF/AF Collets are recommended for drilling, milling and boring applications. RDF/AF collets are also known in the industry as BF collets.
AF collets are available in 1/64” increments and limited metrics sizes. RDF collets are designed to collapse 1/64. Size ranges are as follows:
Series*RDF/AF Collets in the 50, 75 and 100 series are available sealed for Coolant through applications.
Browse AF Collets
RDO Collets DIN 6388 Style
The high gripping strength RDO collet system was originated in Europe and are sometimes known as Ortlieb style collets or Full Grip Collets. Many machines designed for woodworking also use this system. This system is recommended for milling, drilling and boring applications. Many high production routing systems manufacturers have standardized on this system. Size Ranges are as follows:
Series*RDO 25, 35 and 44 series collets are available sealed for coolant through applications.
Browse RDO Collets
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