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Everything You Always Wanted To Know About HSK Tooling

A revolutionary tooling system developed in Europe is in the process of transforming US machining in the same way that the appearance of the microchip shook up the electronics industry.

    The HSK HANDBOOK, a new publication issued by Intelligent Concept (West Bloomfield, MI), is an indispensable resource in understanding this system.
    "HSK" is an abbreviation designating a tooling interface standard, which was develop in Germany to define shanks DIN 69893 and spindle receivers DIN 69063. Industry began utilizing HSK tools in Europe during the early '90s as non-proprietary solutions to tool holding problems. They have since become extremely popular in Europe and North America, particularly for high-speed application. In fact, the HSK spindle is now considered a default standard in machine tool specifications of many major automotive, aviation, and aerospace companies.
    Manufacturing today is demanding higher speeds and feeds, greater accuracy, and faster tool changes than ever before to remain competitive and profitable. Producers all over the world have looked at various ways of achieving these goals. The tooling system offers users a standard approach to realizing faster material removal rates, higher accuracy, and greater rigidity.
    It is important to note that HSK working group did not adapt a specific product design, but rather a set of standards that defines HSK toolholders for different applications. In considering design alternatives, developers had a specific set of performance criteria in mind. Altogether, they created six separate standards for HSK shanks and six standards for HSK matching spindle receivers.  
    The debut of this technology in the metal cutting industry is stimulating a progressive evaluation and overhaul of the way tools are being held and interfaced in machining applications. It has forced a revision of production environments and rethinking of manufacturing methods. Currently there are more than 50,000 spindles equipped with the HSK interface operating "HSK HANDBOOK" - COVER PAGEworldwide.
    However, some end users and companies recently joining (or planning to join) the "HSK Club" have experienced some difficulties in applying this new technology. A lack of sufficient information and partial misunderstanding in properly utilizing this tooling still remains. The HSK HANDBOOK bridges this gap by explaining
the fundamental principles of the HSK interface. It describes the history and the reasons for its development, a general overview of how the HSK interface works, and what is happening when an HSK shank is clamped.
    The handbook also contains the most recent information available with recommendations and guidelines for the proper application of this tooling system. This handy reference gives the reader a clear idea about the "physics and the "philosophy" of the technology. Subsequent chapters are involved in explaining each type of shank and tool receiver, including: recommendations for their particular application;
recommended loads, torques, and speeds for each HSK shank; drawings for all HSK shanks and receivers in ANSI standard; and recommendations for clamping forces for all HSK shanks.
    An important part of this book is an
analysis of material selection for HSK shanks. In the conclusion there are general recommendations for end users in selecting HSK products, as well as suggestions for troubleshooting common problems. HSK HANDBOOK was developed in consideration of ANSI standards (third angle of projection) and domestic measurement units (inch, pound, etc.).
    The HSK HANDBOOK is recommended reading for anyone involved in tooling and machine tools, including distributors of CNC centers with HSK spindles, tooling departments responsible for specifications, developers of of equipment, and professionals looking for new tooling solutions for high speed/high rigidity machining. This book is very practical, making it easy to read and understand, as well as being valuable in training sales personnel involved in marketing HSK products. Intelligent Concept.                             

Man-June 1999

MAN

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