With among the highest levels of transmittable torque due to a more compact design, featuring a 40% thicker front-wall cross-section, the new HydroForce HT universal hydraulic chuck from Kennametal is a cost-effective chucking solution that simplifies inventory while maximizing tool life and machining results for milling, drilling, reaming, and other rotating applications.

HydroForce HT provides the increased rigidity necessary for improved cutting parameters and better results. Clamping force is up to three times better than regular hydraulic chucks, and with improved vibration dampening, runout is three microns at 2X diameter overhang. Balance quality of G2.5 is achieved at speeds up to 25,000 rpm.

“All this robust performance is available in a high-torque chuck requiring only two sizes for all your rotating tooling tasks,” according to Kennametal. Direct clamping is available for 20 and 32 mm (0.75 and 1.5 in.) diameters and reducer sleeves are applied for all other diameters.

Maximum Torque AND Resisting Bending Loads
When machining tough materials like titanium, cutting speeds are relatively low due to thermal effects on cutting tools. In response, machine-tool builders have improved stiffness and damping on spindles and machine structures to deliver abundant torque at low rotational speeds.

In these and other cases, the HydroForce HT universal chuck works directly with the Kennametal KM4X spindle connection to not only transmit higher levels of torque, but also provide maximum resistance to bending loads. In end-milling applications, where projection lengths are typically greater, the limiting factor is the spindle interface’s bending capacity. For example, an indexable helical cutter with 250mm (9.84 in.) projection from spindle face, 80mm (3.15 in.) in diameter generates 4620 Nm (3407.5 ft. lbs.) of bending moment and less than 900 Nm (663.8 ft. lbs.) of torque. Often, bending moment boundaries are exceeded far before torque levels.

The combination of the KM4X system’s high clamping force and interference level lead to a robust connection and extremely high stiffness and bending capacity for greatly improved performance in titanium machining. KM4X and HydroForc Ht work together to overcome the limitation on bending capacity present in other connections. Maximum available spindle power and torque are brought to bear every time in critical operations like milling of high-strength materials.

Extreme challenges require the right tools, and the highest-performing tools require the best components. WIDIA, the world’s leading provider of wear-resistant products and applications engineering, recognizes the foundation for successful machining is built on rock-solid reliability and performance, which is why the company is proudly introducing HydroForce a new high-performance, high-torque universal hydraulic chuck.

“The right chuck maximizes tool life, workpiece surface quality, and production flexibility, and this is the most advanced hydraulic chuck available – a first-choice solution for all rotating applications,” says Doug Ewald, global product manager at WIDIA.

With a more compact and stable design, featuring a 40% thicker front wall cross-section, HydroForce HT provides the increased rigidity necessary for improved cutting parameters and better results. Clamping force is up to three times better than regular hydraulic chucks, and with improved vibration dampening, runout is three microns at 2X diameter overhang. Balance quality of G2.5 is achieved at speeds up to 25,000 rpm.

“All this robust performance is available in a high-torque chuck requiring only two sizes for all your rotating tooling tasks,” Ewald continues. “Direct clamping is available for 20 and 32 mm (0.75 and 1.5 in.) diameters and reducer sleeves are applied for all other diameters.”

More cost-effective than expensive thermo shrink-fitting operations; up to four times more clamping force compared with collet chucks; and higher balancing quality performance than power milling chucks, HydroForce HT is a cost-effective universal chuck solution that simplifies inventory while maximizing tool life and machining results for milling, drilling, reaming, and other rotating applications.