CITIZEN AND SANDVIK TEAM UP TO DEVELOP EXCLUSIVE QUICK-CHANGE TOOL SYSTEM

Changing toolholders at the gang toolpost on a Citizen CNC sliding head turn/mill centre can now be performed in just 20 secs with the position of the cutting edge of the insert automatically set by the toolholder against a dead stop and therefore not requiring any additional adjustment.

Following an exclusive development programme between Sandvik Coromant and Citizen in Japan, the new Coroturn QS Quick Start system uses a spring-loaded wedge to locate the shorter than normal toolholder shank against a set dead stop in the gang tool post of the machine. This is a major advantage as it replaces the conventional wedge locking system that requires three screws and a wedge clamp to captivate the toolholder.

The new system also enables the toolholder to be quickly removed and accurately replaced via its single locking screw, enabling the insert to be indexed or changed out of the confines of the machine. Not only does this make access to the tool easier, it reduces the likelihood of either the insert or locking key being dropped into the machine.

To install the system, the conventional wedge is removed from the gang toolpost and this is replaced with the two elements of the QS system, a fixed dead stop and the toolholder clamp. The cutting edge of the insert in the toolholder is positioned and adjusted. The dead stop is then locked to provide the datum for repositioning the toolholder and the short toolholder is then clamped using the spring wedge ready for machining.

Toolholders available in the range include front and back turning, parting-off, grooving and threading in 10 mm, 12 mm and 16 mm shank sizes for Citizen K, C, L and M-Series machines.

The QS tooling system is available exclusively for Citizen machines through Sandvik Coromant of Halesowen and Citizen agent, NC Engineering of Watford.