Abstract: A collet chuck assembly includes a mount, a selectively-axially-movable collet closing sleeve, and a multiple-segment collet head. The collet head includes two axially-spaced outer circumferential cam surfaces that engage two axially-spaced inner circumferential cam surfaces of the closing sleeve. A quick-release cap attached to the mount includes two inwardly-radially-extending tabs that engage two outwardly-radially-extending lips of the collet head to prevent the collet head from moving axially relative to the cap. Flat resilient collet seals are disposed between each set of adjoining collet segments to prevent debris from getting into the collet chuck assembly between the segments. The collet seals maintain full-surface contact with adjoining segments even when the collet head is fully opened. A slinger bore formed in the cap directs debris radially-outwardly out of the collet chuck assembly.

Abstract: A collet chuck assembly includes a mount, a selectively-axially-movable collet closing sleeve, and a multiple-segment collet head. The collet head includes two axially-spaced outer circumferential cam surfaces that engage two axially-spaced inner circumferential cam surfaces of the closing sleeve. A quick-release cap attached to the mount includes two inwardly-radially-extending tabs that engage two outwardly-radially-extending lips of the collet head to prevent the collet head from moving axially relative to the cap. Flat resilient collet seals are disposed between each set of adjoining collet segments to prevent debris from getting into the collet chuck assembly between the segments. The collet seals maintain full-surface contact with adjoining segments even when the collet head is fully opened. A slinger bore formed in the cap directs debris radially-outwardly out of the collet chuck assembly.

Abstract: A collet chuck assembly includes an annular mount adapted to be attached to a spindle of a turning machine, a tubular collet sleeve disposed internally to the mount including an inner tapered cam surface and adapted to be coupled to an axial moving mechanism of the turning machine, and a tubular collet structure dispose interiorly of the collet sleeve and having a cooperating tapered, outer cam surface. An annular retaining cap has retaining lugs adapted to be engaged with locking flanges of the mount upon engagement of the cap with the mount and rotation of the cap with respect to the mount. The installed cap engages a front end of the collet structure to retain the collet structure within the collet sleeve. A cap anti-rotation mechanism includes an anti-rotation pin carried within the mount for reciprocating axial movement with respect to the mount between extended and retracted positions and a pin actuating mechanism for selectively effecting the reciprocating axial movement.

Abstract: A method of surface treating a metallic machine tool element includes heating the element prior to insertion of the metal element into a nitrating salt bath for the purpose of both hardening the element and improving the resilience of portions required to be flexed in use.

Abstract: A collet chuck for holding a tool or workpiece on a spindle of a machine tool. The collet chuck has a hollow collet mount having a rear end to be attached to the spindle. A plurality of radially disposed holes extending from the exterior surface to the interior surface of the collet mount. A cam surface is disposed adjacent the front end on the interior surface. The chuck also has a two-piece, tubular collet with a collet cam adjacent the front end on the exterior surface for interacting with the cam surface of the collet mount. The two-piece collet comprises a collet head with an annular groove adjacent the rear end and a hook portion between the rear end and the groove, and a collet body with a flange portion at its front end. The flange portion of the collet body engages the hook and groove of the collet head. A slot associated with each radially disposed hole is provided in the collet body.

Abstract: A collet assembly comprises a collet head, a collet body and a mount for securing the collet head and the collet body to the spindle of a machine. The collet head has inside and outside surfaces and front and rear faces and the outside surface includes an outwardly flaring surface. The collet head includes an external annular groove and a hook portion adjacent the rear face. The hook portion extends radially outwardly from the axis of the collet head. The collet body has inside and outside surfaces, a tubular portion and a flange portion extending radially outwardly from the outside surface and axially beyond the collet head hook portion. The flange portion has an outside diameter substantially larger than the outside diameter of the tubular portion of the collet body. The flange portion has an inner annular groove and an adjacent hook portion. The collet head hook portion is positioned within the flange portion annular groove and the hook portion of the flange portion within the collet head annular groove.

Abstract: A tool for installing or removing a collet head, which has a plurality of spring loaded collet segments, from a collet body, comprises a body having an axis, a base and a skirt extending from the base. A member is operably secured to the body and axially movable relative thereto. A plurality of arms are pivotally secured at each of one of their end portions to each one of a plurality of recesses disposed in the skirt. The other end portion of each arms is movably secured to one end of the member such that when the member moves axially, the other end of each of the arms move with the member while the one end of each of the arms pivots in the recesses. A pin is operably associated with each arm for cooperating with its respective hole in the collet head such that each pin moves radially relative to the axis when the member moves axially relative to the body, whereby the collet head is compressed or expanded for engaging or disengaging the collet head from the collet body.

Abstract: A collet head for securing to a collet body for machine tools has a plurality of spaced segments arranged in a circular configuration having spaced slots between each segment. Each segment has a front face, a rear face, an inside work gripping surface, an outer cam surface and left and right side faces. Each segment also has an extraction hole in the front face thereof for receiving extraction tool fingers. On the left and right side faces of each segment is a lock recess extending from the front face of the segment and extending rearwardly towards the rear face. The lock recess comprises an enlarged portion and a narrow portion. The narrow portion of the lock recess opens into the respective side face of the segment. Each of the lock recesses cooperates with the lock recess on the adjacent side face of the adjacent segment.