Installing ER (DR, RD, ESX) , style collets is very common in every machine shop and tool & die shop, but is everyone doing it CORRECTLY?

Did you know that there is a torque specification on your collets?

Many people use a cheater bar to tighten down collets believing that the "tighter is better" but that's not always the case.  Like all toolholding collets, ER style collets are spring collets with a 30 degree front taper and a 16 degree back taper (a "free releasing 'locking-taper" just like your steep taper toolholder) 

Check out the video below where Matt explains the intricacies of the Microconic system during IMTS 2017

After more than three decades of research and development, 3D printing is ready for prime time in manufacturing — production of high-value parts and mass customized products, in addition to prototypes, injection molding tooling, end-of-arm tooling and assembly jigs and fixtures.

In fact, a variety of manufacturers have been using 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, this way for years now, with more adopting the technology every day. In addition to manufacturers of all sizes, the range of production users also includes laboratories, hospitals and Hollywood studios.
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Did you know, for example, that the global hearing aid industry has been mass producing custom hearing aids with 3D printers for more than a decade1? In recent years, dental laboratories have also been mass producing dental and orthodontic models, which require high XY accuracy and a smooth surface finish. This has eased the way for the mass production of clear thermoformed aligners for teeth straightening, in addition to other dental products. And in 2016, General Electric began mass production of metal fuel nozzle injectors for its LEAP jet engine using 28 additive manufacturing machines — validating the idea that 3D printing
isn’t just for prototypes anymore. 

Every year we see more reports and forecasts urging manufacturers to do something about the skills shortage. It’s time for us to do our part and we want to empower you to keep manufacturing alive and well in America. It starts with the youth.
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Moog is an American worldwide designer and manufacturer of motion and fluid controls and control systems for applications in aerospace, defense, industrial and medical device markets. Moog has manufacturing facilities in 26 countries around the world.


For their production facilities in Torrence CA, East Aurora NY and their plant in the Philippines Moog has selected 3nine’s products and could reduce their maintenance costs to a minimum.


"Before installing the 3nine oil mist separator, we had to change filters every two weeks."
 ~ Jim Leach, Okuma Large Body Cell Machine Manager at MOOG Inc. Aircraft Group, USA

Selecting the appropriate pilot drill is critical to maximize performance and tool life of a succeeding deep hole or micro drill. The purpose of a pilot drill is to create a clean, consistent working surface for the succeeding drill to enter the workpiece.

Important aspects such as diameter tolerance and point angle (Figure 1) are often overlooked leading to inconsistent, unacceptable results.

A pilot drill diameter should be slightly larger than nominal diameter, whereas the succeeding drill diameter should be smaller. This is often accomplished using positive and negative tolerances respectively (Figure 2). Selecting the incorrect pilot drill diameter can lead to premature failure of the succeeding drill as it will enter the pilot hole using its margins rather than its center-cutting point.
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It is also important for a pilot drill’s point angle to be equal to or larger than that of a succeeding drill. The purpose of a larger point angle is to guide the succeeding drill to centerline while preventing its corners from colliding with the point angle left by the pilot drill. Using a pilot drill with a smaller point angle usually results in chipped corners on the more expensive deep hole drill after drilling 10-20% of the expected tool life.