Gewefa expands range of heat-shrink tool clamping machines
1 min read
Gewefa UK has expanded its RapidShrink heat-shrink tool clamping machine options with an eight-strong range from Rineck, Germany. They include four horizontal format machines that give the operator greater access when setting up a tool and also allow longer toolholder/cutter combinations to be set. Other options include a foot switch to activate the shrink process (thus allowing the operator two-hand control of the set-up) and a manual inductor unit that permits tools to be shrunk/removed while on the machine.
Completing the range are three redesigned vertical bench top machines and a free-standing top-of-the-range machine with an automatic cooling system. The horizontal machines come in 10, 5 and 3 kW options – all of which are dedicated to shrink-clamping carbide tools. A fourth unit, the 10 kW RapidShrink offers both carbide and HSS tool shrinking capability. This machine also has the ability to accept toolholder/tool combinations up to 780 mm in length – considerably longer than most vertical machines can accommodate, with cutters up to 32 mm diameter accepted. The 3 kW unit is particularly suitable for the smaller ranges of toolholders and carbide cutters which are increasingly popular, says Gewefa.
An option for use with the horizontal shrink machines is a retrofit, handheld inductor ring with a 2.5 m cable that enables the shrinking operation to be undertaken while the toolholder is still located in the machine tool turret.
Of the three new RapidShrink vertical machines being offered, two are dedicated to carbide tooling and the third offers carbide and HSS options. The larger 10 kW VCS is suited to shrinking carbide and HSS tools and all machines incorporate an inbuilt safety device to prevent any possibilities of overheating the tools during shrinking.
The top of the range free-standing ECS unit is a 10 kW unit with heavy duty induction generator and coil designed for shrink clamping carbide and HSS tools in high use environments. Shrinking times on the ECS are between 3 and 9 sec and, once the process is completed, the toolholder/cutter combination is automatically immersed in a coolant tank for a pre-selected cooling period. Being wheel mounted the complete cabinet assembly can be moved from machine to machine in the workshop.
Adaptor rings are available to convert the machines between HSK, DIN and BT40 formats across the complete range.
