Abstract: A clamping assembly for a toolholder includes a toolholder body having an access hole. A locking sleeve is slidably disposed within the access hole and a center collet is disposed within the locking sleeve and is fixedly connected to the toolholder body. The center collet receives a retaining tip of a tool. A spring assembly and a release device cause the locking sleeve to move within the access hole between a load position, where the locking sleeve is disengaged from the center collet such that the center collet is open and a lock position, where the locking sleeve engages the center collet such that the center collet is closed and locks the retaining tip of the tool within the access hole.

Abstract: A milling cutter includes a shank and upper portion with an insert pocket. The insert pocket includes a bottom surface, a radial support wall and an axial support wall. A cutting insert includes a hole extending from a bottom surface. A tapered pin includes a lower portion and a tapered upper portion. A spring engages the lower portion of the tapered pin and provides an upward biasing force on the tapered pin. A center axis of the tapered pin is closer to the radial support wall than a center axis of the hole of the cutting insert such that the tapered pin exerts pressure against the hole of the cutting insert to cause one of the side walls of the cutting insert to be forced against the radial support wall of the insert pocket when the cutting insert is mounted in the insert pocket.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for a toolholder includes a toolholder body having an access hole. A locking sleeve is slidably disposed within the access hole and a center collet is disposed within the locking sleeve and is fixedly connected to the toolholder body. The center collet receives a retaining tip of a tool. A spring assembly and a release device cause the locking sleeve to move within the access hole between a load position, where the locking sleeve is disengaged from the center collet such that the center collet is open and a lock position, where the locking sleeve engages the center collet such that the center collet is closed and locks the retaining tip of the tool within the access hole.

Abstract: A clamping and releasing mechanism includes a clamping and releasing assembly and a control member configured for effecting operation of the assembly. The assembly includes a collet, a biasing member, a rod member, and a retainer affixed to the rod member such that movement of the rod member relative to the collet causes a variation in the biasing force exerted by the biasing member. When the control member is moved in a first direction, the control member causes the rod member to move in a first direction relative to the collet and move the first part away from the second part. When the control member is moved in an opposite direction, the biasing member causes the rod member to move in an opposite direction and move the first part toward the second part. The mechanism is made of a few simple components, requires little maintenance and is self-contained.

Abstract: A milling cutter includes a shank and upper portion with an insert pocket. The insert pocket includes a bottom surface, a radial support wall and an axial support wall. A cutting insert includes a hole extending from a bottom surface. A tapered pin includes a lower portion and a tapered upper portion. A spring engages the lower portion of the tapered pin and provides an upward biasing force on the tapered pin. A center axis of the tapered pin is closer to the radial support wall than a center axis of the hole of the cutting insert such that the tapered pin exerts pressure against the hole of the cutting insert to cause one of the side walls of the cutting insert to be forced against the radial support wall of the insert pocket when the cutting insert is mounted in the insert pocket.