powRgrip® System

Provided By REGO-FIX Tool Corp.

The powRgripSystem from REGO-FIX generates very high clamping forces equal to or higher than shrink-fit holders. Safe, precise and cost-effective, the system includes a holder, collet and mini-press, generates six tons of force.

The powRgrip system relies on the interference between holder and collet to generate its clamping force. Unlike other clamping systems where heat or hydraulics are used to expand the material, the powRgrip uses the mechanical properties of the holder material to generate tremendous gripping force with run-out below 0.0001”. Interchangeable collets are available from 1/8" up to 1", including metric sizes, and will hold both carbide and HSS tools.

Designed for easy operation and use, the powRgrip system takes less than 10 seconds to press in a tool or remove it from the holder. Because no heat is used, tools can be used immediately after a tool change. Cycle testing exceeded over 20,000 insertions and removals, outperforming other systems on the market.

Click here for more information.

ER System

Provided By REGO-FIX Tool Corp.

REGO-FIX pioneered and patented the original ER collet system over 30 years ago. It’s also one of the only companies in existence to produce its own collets. Through a wide variety of collet sizes, clamping nuts and toolholders the current ER collet system has a solution for every toolholding need. In fact, REGO-FIX has the broadest ER system program in the world. 

System Features and Benefits:

• Lowest T.I.R on the ER market with ≤ 0.002 accuracy of the collet over its entire clamping range
• Clamps all types of toolshanks and materials for unmatched versatility 
• High vibration dampening results in longer tool life and excellent surface finish
• Wide clamping range for all diameters from 0.0079” to 1.34”

Click here for more information.

secuRgrip Anti-Pull System

Provided By REGO-FIX Tool Corp.

REGO-FIX’s secuRgrip anti-pull system locks the collet and cutter to the toolholder body to eliminate cutter slippage during demanding metal removal applications so that the only possible failure mode is that of the cutting tool.   

As a new feature of the company’s powRgrip^® product series, which includes holders, collets and a mini-press, secuRgrip works by utilizing the powRgrip’s tremendous gripping strength in conjunction with a patented locking system and threaded cap.

With secuRgrip’s added levels of cutting tool security, manufacturers, especially those within the aerospace industry, can experience greater confidence when machining expensive castings and materials or complex parts. The secuRgrip system has a TIR of 0.0001” and enables manufacturers to preset their tool heights. Furthermore, REGO-FIX customers can modify their existing powRgrip holders for use with the system.     

According to David McHenry, senior product engineer for REGO-FIX, even with the highest clamping forces in the industry, there are still those applications that require additional safety measures. In fact, REGO-FIX developed the state-of-the-art secuRgrip system in response to customer demand for a fail-safe system.

Unlike other systems, secuRgrip does not require the purchase of expensive specially modified endmills, but rather makes use of existing standard carbide or HSS endmill designs. Standard ground notches found on most Weldon-type endmills readily accept the locking key insert of the secuRgrip system for fast and easy assembling.

The secuRgrip system quickly comes together by placing the small, profiled locking key insert into the flat of an industry-standard Weldon-type endmill. The endmill is then screwed into a collet with the same thread pattern. Next, the collet assembly is securely and accurately pressed together using the powRgrip mini-press before a small retaining cap is added to the outside of the holder to secure the collet to the holder.

The secuRgrip system is applicable for use with REGO-FIX PG 25 or PG 32 holders in all tapers, including CAT, BT, TC, HSK, CAPTO and dual contact REGO PLUS. Licensed by BIG Daishowa, REGO PLUS products are compatible with all BIG PLUS spindles. The complete secuRgrip system will be available in January 2013.

Click here for more information.

Manufacturing Facility Expansion

Provided By REGO-FIX Tool Corp.

REGO-FIX recently completed its 75,000 square-foot manufacturing facility expansion in Tenniken, Switzerland, increasing manufacturing capacity for its toolholder manufacturing facility and realizing significant cost savings from its environmentally conscious design.

The expansion project increased manufacturing floor space by 140 percent, allowing REGO-FIX to fully automate its processes, increase manufacturing capacity, enhance quality control, boost production to 6,500 different items and maintain an inventory of approximately 1.3 million parts. At the same time, REGO-FIX designed an environmentally friendly facility that incorporates advanced energy and natural resource-conserving features for energy and operating cost savings.

The new environmental design features are incorporated throughout the building – from roof to floor – and include a special air-exchange ventilator system, wood pellet heating, multiple progressive air conditioning units, a “green” roof, and the use of both natural and sensor-controlled lighting.

“Deciding to expand our manufacturing facilities over two years ago was a bold move, considering the state of the economy,” said Andreas S. Weber, president of REGO-FIX Tool Corp., Indianapolis. “In the end, however, our new buildings are energy efficient, have helped reduce company costs, and have increased REGO-FIX’s manufacturing capacity in preparation for the economic upswing.”

Specific design elements include an air-exchange ventilator system that exchanges the air within the new building seven times per hour, drawing out wasted heat from the manufacturing floor and recycling it for other uses. For example, during the cold months, recovered waste heat is used to warm incoming air that the system draws from outside the building. This heated air is then circulated to the manufacturing floor.

Additionally, circulated water in a closed system helps keep manufacturing floor air compressors cool during operation. In the cooling process, circulated water is heated and then stored in a 1,849-gallon tank. When needed, this heated water is used in a heating system built into the floors of the building’s office areas. This system is used alongside a reserve 390-kW system that burns wood pellets, by-products of the furniture and lumber industries, rather than fossil fuels.

When designing its new building, REGO-FIX opted for completely insulated walls and a unique roof with high insulating properties. The roof, referred to as a “green” or “planted” roof, is covered with soil and growing sod. The roof also collects rainwater and stores it in a 13,200-gallon tank. This water is later used for operations within the facility.

To further its ambitions of being “green” and to provide sufficient lighting, REGO-FIX included multiple, triple-paned insulated windows that let in natural light. These windows are fitted with translucent, heat-inhibiting shades that automatically open and close, cooling the inside of the building in the summer. When needed, energy-saving LED lights are used to light occupied areas.

“Production operations currently run 24 hours a day, six days a week. With these improved efficiencies in production and with newly added warehouse space, REGO-FIX can continue to guarantee that product will be in stock and available for faster delivery worldwide,” said Weber. “With this expansion, REGO-FIX has secured a position as a leader in toolholding systems manufacturing and has permitted a company-wide commitment to innovation, engineering, and supported team efforts of its highly skilled employees.”

Click here for more information.

Spindle and Taper Care Products

Provided By REGO-FIX Tool Corp.

REGO-FIX offers a comprehensive line of spindle and taper care products to keep its toolholders operating at optimal performance. After all, proper machine tool spindle maintenance is critical in ensuring a precise, secure interface between the spindle and toolholder, which, in turn, increases machining efficiency and accuracy.

REGO-FIX’s spindle and taper care products, which include an Ultrasonic Cleaning System, an Automatic Taper Cleaner, the Hydroball™ and Spindle Taper Wipers, enable manufacturers to quickly and easily create a highly productive “cleaning lab” inside their facilities.

As the frontrunner of the company’s cleaning lineup, the Ultrasonic Cleaning System features high-quality materials and user-friendly digital time and temperature controls to make tool cleaning quick and easy. The system’s stainless steel part basket is large enough to accompany both toolholders and collets.

Just a few minutes in the Automatic Taper Cleaner after Ultrasonic Cleaning and a shop’s toolholders are ready for optimum use. The revolving motion of the taper cleaner’s base unit as well as its rotating brushes gently clean toolholder tapers of contaminants and debris.

The unique Hydroball device uses the machine tool’s coolant pressure to clean the table’s work area as well as remove chips from the machine walls. Laminar coolant flows through the Hydroball as it rotates and douses the manufacturing area. Chips are then flushed out, allowing it to be used again immediately.

The Spindle Taper Wipers assist in spindle socket cleaning, easing the task of removing contaminants and debris from tools’ spindle sockets, no matter the spindle configuration. Blades for this system can be easily replaced when needed.

Some extra features in the company’s spindle and taper care line include a workstation and tooling cart, torque wrenches, and heads. The workstation and cart provide a heavy-duty, sturdy surface for a cleaning lab, while establishing a solid home for any resident toolholding system. REGO-FIX’s torque wrenches and heads allow users to properly tighten threaded toolholder nut and collet systems, maximizing performance efficiencies. The torque wrenches and heads also ensure products are not over-tightened.

Click here for more information.