Workshop equipment

Tool holders – overview of the most important connections

Anyone looking for tool holders for milling machines faces a wide range of choices. It can be hard to keep track of them all. To give you a better understanding of all these options and make your decision easier, we have summed up the most important standards in the area of cutting tool holders.

For efficient tool changing in milling machines, the required mounting systems have been standardised:

  • Steep taper (SK)
  • Hollow shank taper (HSK)
  • Polygon shank taper (PSC)

Steep taper (SK)

In the field of cutting tools, the steep taper is the most widely used connection between tool and machine tool worldwide. It features a conical shape, which is used to insert the holder into the machine spindle.

Advantages

  • Steep taper shaft easy to insert and detach
  • Widely used system
  • Inexpensive
  • High torsional rigidity
  • Also suitable for heavy duty cutting (ISO 7388-1 and 7388-2)

Disadvantages

  • Low rigidity
  • Insecure axial position of the cutting edges
  • Limited accuracy
  • Not suitable for high speeds due to technically limited imbalance
  • Regular replacement of the pull stud due to wear

Steep taper according to DIN 2080

Steep taper according to ISO 7388-1 (DIN 69871*)

Steep taper according to ISO 7388-2 (JIS 6339*)

Steep taper according to ISO 7388-2 (JIS B 6339*) with double contact

* old designation

Hollow shank taper (HSK)

Hollow shank taper according to ISO 12164 (DIN 69893)

A further development of the steep taper is the hollow shank taper, in which the tool change can also be performed automatically or manually. What particularly distinguishes the hollow shank taper is the high changeover accuracy due to the flat contact on the collar and the narrow taper tolerances as well as the small, lightweight and stable design. Due to the positive locking force transmission by means of puller grooves, large torques and jerky loads can be absorbed. It does not require a pull stud for clamping and is suitable for high speeds.

Benefits

  • High rigidity due to support via the collar of the tool holder
  • Flat contact prevents slipping in the axial direction and ensures high changeover accuracy and secure axial position of the cutting edges
  • Small and lightweight design allows easy and quick tool change
  • Suitable for high speeds
  • No pull stud necessary
  • High transmittable torques due to
    – frictional connection torque transmission through taper and contact surface
    positive locking transmission by means of puller grooves/collar grooves for HSK A, HSK B, HSK C and type D
Disadvantage
  • High costs

Type A (DIN 69893-1)

Type B (DIN 69893-2)

Type C (DIN 69893-1)

Type D (DIN 69893-2)

Type E (DIN 69893-5)

Type F (DIN 69893-6)

Polygon shank taper according to ISO 26623

For the PSC (polygon shank cone), the main focus is on the polygon shape of the taper. This ensures uniform surface contact between the spindle and tool holder during torque transmission, resulting in greater stability. Furthermore, the thicker wall thicknesses allow greater clamping forces compared to the HSK taper. This ensures maximum bending strength, torque transmission, and centre position accuracy. Polygon shank tapers are used especially on multi-task machines (turning and milling/drilling), since the position of the tool in the holder is precisely defined due to the polygon.

Sizes: C3, C4, C5, C6, C8, und C10

Schnittzeichnung eines Polygonschaftkegels nach ISO 26623

Enquiry

If your desired tool holder is not available, you can request availability through your sales contact.

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