General information and guidelines

Power-operated clamping devices

To ensure safe operation of power-operated clamping devices, particularly of chucks, on heavy-duty lathes with
high speeds certain criteria must be observed:
1. Whenmounting the power chuck and the clamping cylinder on the lathe, the following safety requirements
must be met:
1.1 The machine spindle may only start when the clamping pressure has been built up in the actuating
cylinder and the clamping has been carried out in the permissible working area.
1.2 Unclamping may only be possible when the machine spindle has completely stopped.
1.3 In case of a clamping energy failure, the workpiece must be firmly clamped until the spindle is completely
stopped. (The Rhm safety cylindersmeet this requirement.)
1.4 In case of a current failure and upon return of the current supply the actual control position may not
be changed.
1.5 In case of a clamping energy failure the machine spindle must be stopped by a signal.

3. After havingmounted the chuck and before starting the operation, the function of the chuck must be checked.
Two important points are:
3.1 Clamping force
The clamping force (15%) stated for the clamping devicemust be reached atmax. actuating force/pressure.
3.2 Stroke control

A safety range must be provided for the stroke of the clamping piston in the front and rear end position. The

machine spindle may only start after the clamping piston has crossed the safety range.

Only limit switches meeting the requirements for safety limit switches in accordance with VDE 0113/12.73

section 7.1.3 may be used for monitoring the clamping path.
4. If themax. speed of the lathe exceeds themax. speed of the clamping device or clamping cylinder, the
machine must be equipped with a speed limitation device.
5. When the clamping device has been changed, the stroke control must be adjusted to the new condition.
6. When calculating the required clamping force formachining a workpiece, the centrifugal force of the clamping
jaws must be considered.
7. A reliable operation of the power chuck can only be guaranteed when themaintenance instructions contained
in the instruction manual are precisely followed.
In particular the following points must be observed:
7.1 For the lubrication only the lubricants recommended in the operation manual shall be used. (An unsuitable
lubricant can reduce the clamping force by more than 50%).
7.2 The lubricationmust reach all surfaces to be lubricated.
(At the narrow fits of themounting parts a high pressure is required for pressing-in the lubricant. For those
purpose a pressure gun must be used).
7.3 In order to distribute the grease evenly, actuate the clamping piston several times to its end positions, repeat
the lubrication and then check the clamping force.

6223

Power-operated
clamping devices

2. The safety instructions given in the respective operation manual must be precisely followed.

General information and guidelines

Power-operated clamping devices

8. Before restarting a serial machining operation and in between the maintenance intervals the clamping force
should be checked by means of a load cell. Only regular checks ensure optimum reliability.
9. It is recommended to move the clamping piston several times to its end positions after 500 clamping strokes at
the latest. (In this way any lubricant pushed away will be returned to the pressure surfaces. The pressure force is
thus maintained for a longer period of time.)
10. When using special clamping jawsthe following instructions must be observed:

10.1 The clamping jaws should be designed in such a way that their weight and height is as low as possible.

The clamping point should as possible be as close to the frontside of the chuck. (Clamping points at a

larger distancemay cause a higher surface pressure in the jaw guiding mechanism and may thus reduce the

clamping force considerably.)

10.2 In case the special jaws are for constructional reasons wider and/or higher than the step jaws assigned

to the clamping device, the resulting higher centrifugal forcesmust be considered when calculating the

required clamping pressure and the rated speed.
For calculating the rated speed for a certainmachining task the following formula is to be applied:

Power-operated
clamping devices

nmax. =

F spo -- F spz
.
m . rc . a

30

Fspo = initial clamping force with the chuck at standstill (N)

F spz = required clamping force with the chuck at standstill for a certain machining task (N)
n max. = max. admissible speed (min 1)
m = mass of the entire jaw unit (kg) (base and top jaw)
rc = center of gravity radius of the entire jaw unit (m)
a = number of jaws

10.3 Welded jaws should not be used. If required, the welding seamsmust be checked as to their centrifugal
and clamping force capacity.

10.4 Themounting screwsmust be arranged in such a way that the highest possible useful moment is reached.

11. Themax. speedmay only be used atmax. applied actuating force and with properly functioning chucks.
12. In case of high speeds the chucks may only be used below a protective hood with sufficiently large dimensions.
13. For power chucks with a jaw quick-change feature internal to the chuck a safety device is required which
revents the machine spindle from rotating when the clamping jaws are released.
14. After a collision the clamping devicemust be checked for fissures before being used again.
15. Worn or damaged jaw fixing bolts must be replaced. Only use bolts of quality 12.9.

6224

Determining the required gripping force of a power chuck

Power-operated clamping devices

Determining the required gripping force of a power chuck and the corresponding operating power
I) Calculating the gripping force Fspz (without considering the effects of angular speed) required for the job
(machining operation).
II) Determining the chucks initial gripping force Fspo with spindle stationary (taking into account the
centrifugal forces of the jaws).
III) Determining the operating power required to provide the initial gripping force Fspo.
Definition of gripping force
Progress in machining techniques has made it necessary for safety reasons not only to determine the necessary
gripping force but also to know and consider its change with increasing angular speed.
The forces and moments generated by the machining operation must be properly absorbed and transmitted by
the chuck. The chuck accomplishes this task mainly by producing a gripping force:
This gripping force is the arithmetic sum of the radial forces exerted on the workpiece by the jaws. The initial
gripping force Fspo produced when the chuck is stationary can be measured at any time and is therefore controllable. (Denoted by total gripping force in the gripping force / operating power diagrams).

In most cases it is sufficient in practice to use a simplified formula containing the fundamental determining factors
(crude determination).

Fs

= Main cutting force on radially applied tool

FsBo = Cutting force on axially applied tool (drill)

Fvax = Feeding force on axially applied tool
Fspz = Required total gripping force (without considering
the effects of angular speed
Fc
= Centrifugal force of the jaws

= Loss of gripping force (see gripping force/speed
diagram of each chuck Typee
Fspo = (Total) initial gripping force with the chuck stationary

Forces and moments acting at the machining and clamping points.

lz

= Distance betwwen machining and clamping points

dz

= Machining diameter

dsp

= Chucking diameter

lsp

= Chucking length

6225

Power-operated
clamping devices

The figures given in the catalogue refer only to chucks that are fully and correctly lubricated and in a properly
serviced condition. Many factors act on the clamping point during any machining operation. A precise specification
of these factors in the form of universally applicable tables is not possible in this context.

Determining the required gripping force of a power chuck

Power-operated clamping devices

A Turning
I) Calculating the required gripping force Fspz
The gripping force required depends on the Typee of work to be performed.
The cutting force on the turning tool has three basic components:
Main cutting force Fs - feeding force Fv - passive force (static force) Fp.
During turning, the feeding force Fv and the passive force (static force) Fp are mainly absorbed by the jaw faces in
contact with the seated workpiece. The remaining main cutting force produces a moment (Fs x dz/2) which must be
absorbed by the chuck and transmitted by friction at the clamping point.
The moment produced by the main cutting force during turning determines the gripping force required:

F spz =

Fs . S z
sp

where:
Fspz = gripping force required for a specific job with the

chuck stationary
Fs
= main cutting force
F . Sz
F spz = s
sp
dz = machining diameter
chucking ratio

Power-operated
clamping devices

dsp
sp
Sz

(1)

dz
d sp

dz
d sp

chucking
= cucking coefficient (friction between jaw and workpiece)

F
= safety factor s

= s . t . kc

The feeding force and passive components, Fv and Fp, are not included in this formula. If necessary for extreme
conditions, they are included in the safety factor Sz.
The main cutting force Fs is calculated from feed, depth of cut and material.
where:
s =
feed, mm/rev.
t =
depth of cut, mm
kc = specific cutting force, kN/mm2

Fs

(2)

= s . t . kc

The product s x t (feed.depth of cut) =chip cross-section(cross sectional area of cut) can be obtained from Table 1.
Determining the chip cross section [mm2] Table 1
Feed (mm)

Depth of cut t (mm)

2

0,16
0,20
0,25
0,32
0,40
0,50
0,63
0,80
1,0
1,25
1,60

0,64
0,8
1,0
1,26
1,6
2,0
2,5
3,2

0,75
0,96
1,2
1,5
1,89
2,4
3,0
3,75
4,8

10

12

0,8
1,0
1,28
1,6
2,0
2,52
3,2
4,0
5,0
6,4

0,8
1,0
1,25
1,6
2,0
2,5
3,15
4,0
5,0
6,25
8,0

0,96
1,2
1,5
1,96
2,4
3,0
3,78
4,8
6,0
7,5
9,6

1,12
1,4
1,75
2,24
2,8
3,5
4,41
5,6
7,0
8,75
11,2

1,28
1,6
2,0
2,56
3,2
4,0
5,04
6,4
8,0
10,0
12,8

1,44
1,8
2,25
2,88
3,6
4,5
5,67
7,2
9,0
11,25
14,4

1,6
2,0
2,5
3,2
4,0
5,0
6,3
8,0
10,0
12,5
16,0

1,92
2,4
3,0
3,84
4,8
6,0
7,56
9,6
12,0
15,0
19,2

The specific cutting force kc as a function of feed can be obtained from Table 2.

6226

Determining the required gripping force of a power chuck

Power-operated clamping devices

Specific cutting force kc [kN/mm2] Table 2
Specific cutting force kc at feed s and a setting angle of 45o

St 42
St 50
St 60
C 45

sino 0,50
0,52
0,62
0,67

C 60

0,77

St 70

0,72

18 CrNi 6
42 CrMo 4

0,63
0,73

16 MnCr 5
Mn, CrNi
Mn-austentic st.
St 42
St 42
St 42
St 42
Cast bronze
Gunmetal
Brass
Cast alumin.

0,77
0,85-1,00

Steels

Cast iron
materials
NEferrous
metals

The chucking ratio

Feed s [mm]

Strength
B
kN/mm2

Material

0,16

0,25

0,4

0,63

1,0

1,6

2,60
3,50

2,40
3,10
2,80

2,20
2,75
2,60

2,05
2,45
2,40

1,90
2,15
2,20

1,80
1,95
2,05

3,80

3,30

2,90

2,50

2,20

4,35

3,90

3,45

3,10

2,75

2,45

3,75
3,70
5,40
2,30
2,55
1,50
2,05
2,55
1,10
1,20
1,10

3,30
3,40
4,90
2,10
2,35
1,35
1,80
2,35
1,00
1,10
1,00

2,95
3,10
4,40
1,95
2,20
1,20
1,60
2,20
0,90
1,00
0,90

2,60
2,80
4,00
1,80
2,05
1,10
1,45
2,05
0,80
0,90
0,80

2,30
2,55
3,60
1,70
1,90
1,00
1,30
1,90
0,70
0,80
0,70

2,05
2,35
3,30
1,60
1,80
0,90
1,15
1,80
0,65
0,75
0,65

3,05

4,35

0,30-0,50
0,50-0,70
HB 2,00
HB 2,00-2,50
HB 0,80-1,20
0,30-0,422,60

dz
can either be determined from the specified working conditions or obtaines from Table 3.
dsp

Chucking ratio Table 3

Feed- dsp (mm)

40

60

80

20
40
60
80
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
500
600
700
800

1,0
0,5
0,33
0,25
0,2
0,13

2,0
1,0
0,67
0,5
0,4
0,27
0,2
0,16

3,0
1,5
1,0
0,75
0,6
0,4
0,3
0,24
0,2
0,17

4,0
2,0
1,3
1,0
0,8
0,53
0,4
0,32
0,27
0,23
0,2
0,16

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

500

600

700

800

2,5
1,7
1,3
1,0
0,67
0,5
0,4
033
0,29
0,25
0,2
0,17

3,8
2,5
1,9
1,5
1,0
0,75
0,6
0,5
0,43
0,38
0,3
0,25
0,21
0,19

3,3
2,5
2,0
1,3
1,0
0,8
0,67
0,57
0,5
0,4
0,33
0,29
0,25

4,2
3,1
2,5
1,7
1,3
1,0
0,83
0,72
0,62
0,5
0,42
0,36
0,31

3,8
3,0
2,0
1,5
1,2
1,0
0,86
0,75
0,6
0,5
0,43
0,37

4,4
3,5
1,3
1,8
1,4
1,2
1,0
0,87
0,7
0,58
0,5
0,44

4,0
2,7
2,0
1,6
1,3
1,1
1,0
0,8
0,67
0,57
0,5

3,3
2,5
2,0
1,7
1,4
1,3
1,0
0,83
0,71
0,62

4,0
3,0
2,4
2,0
1,7
1,5
1,2
1,0
0,86
0,75

3,5
2,8
2,3
2,0
1,8
1,4
1,2
1,0
0,87

4,0
3,2
2,7
2,3
2,0
1,6
1,3
1,1
1,0

The chucking coefficient sp accounts for the friction existing between the gripping surface of the jaws and the workpiece in the zone of contact.
It is influenced by
- the pattern of the gripping surfaces of the jaws
- the surface quality of the workpiece
- the material.
The chucking coefficient can be obtained from Table 4.
Note:
Forces aremore efficiently transmitted by a snug fit than by edge or saddle-Typee seats.

Chucking coefficient sp for steel parts Table 4

smooth

Gripping surface of jaws

Siamond style

Serrated

smooth machine finish ground

0,07

0,12

0,20

rough to medium machine finish

0,10

0,20

0,35

unmachined

0,15

0,30

0,45

Surface workpiece

Corrections:

AI, alloy
= 0,95
Brass
= 0,90
Gray cast iron = 0,80

6227

Power-operated
clamping devices

Depth of cut- dz [mm]

20

Determining the required gripping force of a power chuck

Power-operated clamping devices

Safety factor Sz
The magnitude of the safety factor Sz depends on the degree of accuracy with which the influencing parameters,
such as load, chucking coefficient etc., can be determined and on the degree of safety required.
It should be > 2 wherever possible.
=
Safety factor Sz (approximate)
Table 5
Safety factor Sz
Influencing parameters

New chucks

Older chucks

serviced regularly

a) overhung chucking lz dsp

b) no radial support from tailstock
c) tool applied radially
d) no axial seating of workpiece against jaws
e) ratio: chucking length to distance between
cutting and clamping points
lz 3

Power-operated
clamping devices

lz 3 6

> 2.0
=

> 2.4
=

> 4.0*
=

> 4.8*
=

* Lower safety factors can be applied if the workpiece is supported in the tailstock or axially seated against the jaws.

Superimpositions of alternating forces are neglected because their influence is very small in comparison with the
total gripping force required.
The safety factors so determined are applicable if the following requirements are met:
Chuck in perfect condition, no damage, adequately lubricated (operating instructions followed to the letter).
No allowance has been made for the following loads acting on the chuck:
a) Unbalanced forces and moments produced by unsymmetrical workpieces
b) Weight of workpiece
For a precise calculation of the gripping force required for a given
job, use VDI Recommendation 3106. Available from:
Beuth-Verlag GmbH, Kamekestrae 8, D-50672 Kln, Germany.
II)
At high speeds, the gripping force of the rotating lathe chuck is greatly influenced by the centrifugal forces of
the jaws. These forces must be taken into account when determining the initial gripping
force Fspo
The applicable formula is:
FSPO = SSP x (FSPZ FC)
The + sign applies to external gripping.
The - sign applies to internal gripping.

6228

Determining the required gripping force of a power chuck

Power-operated clamping devices

Where:
Fc = experimentally determined total centrifugal force of the chuck jaws obtained from the gripping forcespeed
diagram. The gripping force curves refer to the hard, stepped jaws of the chuck.
Ssp = safety factor for the initial gripping force in accordance with VDI Recommendation 3106 1,5
If extremely heavy top jaws (special jaws) are used, the centrifugal forces Fc can be calculated using
VDI Recommendation 3106.
III)
The operating power bears a given relationship to the total gripping force, depending on the Typee of chuck
employed. The values for the operating power can be obtained from the gripping force/operating power diagram.
In special cases where the centrifugal forces of the jaws are very high in comparison with the initial
gripping force and power chucks with standard top jaws cannot be used, certain operations can be done
with aluminium top jaws of special strength.

Calculation (example)
Having:

1. Workpiece and machining data:

Material

Chucking diameter:
dsp
(roughed)
Machining diameter:
dz
Feed:
s
Depth of cut:
t
Distance cutting/clamp. points: lz
Speed:
n

= C 45
= 60 mm

Power-operated
clamping devices

= 20 mm
= 0,5 mm
= 5 mm
= 50 mm
= 3000 min-1

2. Chuck data:
KFD 200 power chuck
Jaws with diamond style gripping surface Condition of chuck: new (no special influencing parameters)
External gripping with UB-538-04 top jaws at mid-position of gripping range.
Find:
1) Required gripping force

Fspz

total gripping force required (without the effect of angular speed

2) Initial gripping force

Fspo

(total) initial gripping force with the chuck stationary

3) Operating power

6229

Determining the required gripping force of a power chuck

Power-operated clamping devices

Solution

1) Main cutting force

(Formula 2)

s t
= from Table 1
kc
= from Table 2

Fs

Fspz

2) Required gripping force

(Formula 1)

= s t kc
= 0,5 5 2,50 = 6,25 kN
Fs Sz
dz
=
.
sp
dsp
=

6,25 kN 2,0 0,33

0,20

Safety factor Sz
Chucking coeff. sp

21,00 kN

= from Table 5
= from Table 4

d
Chucking ratio z
dsp

= from Table 3

Gripping force/speed diagram for KFD 3-jaw chucks

lower curve:
max. centrifugal
force of top jaw

upper curve:
min. centrifugal
force of top jaw
KFD 315

180
KFD 315

160
140

Total gripping force kN

Power-operated
clamping devices

3) Obtain the loss of the gripping force from the gripping force speed diagram for KFD 200.
At a speed of 3000 rpm: Fc = 18 kN. See diagram below.
4) Initial gripping force Fspo = Ssp (Fspz + Fc) (Formula 3) = 1,5 (21 kN + 18 kN) = 58,50 kN
Ssp determined in accordance with VDI Recommendation 3106 Fc obtained from diagram below
5) Obtain operating power from gripping force/operating power diagram for KFD 200. For a gripping force
of 58,50 kN the operating power is ~ 29,00 kN (next page)

Shallow design
KFD 250

120
100
80
60

KFD 200

Loss of gripping force = Fc (~ 18 kN)

KFD 160

40
20

KFD 130

1000

2000

3000
Speed rpm

6230

4000

5000

Determining the required gripping force of a power chuck

Power-operated clamping devices

Gripping force/operating power diagram KFD 3-jaw chuck
Chuck size

Total gripping force kN

100

150

200

250

250

300

630/800
100

500

150

100

400

30

200
150

40

50

200

60

50

250

70

250

80

100

300

90

100

150

110

120

130

190

315
50

100

140

250
50

200

90

50

160

70

35

130

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Operating power kN

I)
The gripping force required is determined by the Typee of work to be performed. The calculation described below
applies to freely chucked work, i. e. workpieces which are not axially seated against the jaws. In this situation
the components FsBo (cutting force) and Fvax (feeding force) acting on the workpiece give the resultant FR to
determine the gripping force.
The cutting force FsBo
can be calculated from

FsBo = s t kc

(4)

where:
s = feed, mm/rev.
drill diameter
t = depth of cut, mm =
2
kc = specific cutting force kN/mm2

Feeding force Fvax

Table 6

Feeding force for drilling in solid material using a twist drill

The feeding force Fvax bears a given relationship to thecutting force

and can be directly obtained from Table 6.
40
25

m)

16

(m

10

ill
Dr

6,3

m)

(m
1

(m

te

dia

r d1

4,0
2,5
1,6
0,80

1,25

2,0

3,15

5,0

8,0

12,5

20

31,5 50

Cutting force FsBO [kN]

80

6211

6231

Power-operated
clamping devices

B. Drilling
> 120o)
1. Drilling in solid material (Top lip twist drill, point angle =

Determining the required gripping force of a power chuck

Power-operated clamping devices

The two components FsBo and Fvax give the resultant force FR
FR =

FSBo2 + Fvax2

The amount of the resultant force FR can be obtained directly from Table 7.
Intermediate values will have to be determined by interpolation.

Power-operated
clamping devices

Cutting force FsBo [kN]

Resultant force FR KN
Table 7
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
9,0
8,0
7,0
6,0
5,0
4,5
4,0
3,5
3,0
2,5
2,0
1,8
1,6
1,4
1,2
1,0
0,8

FSBo

FR

Fvax

5,8

2,0
1,8
1,7
1,6
1,4

2,3
2,1
2,0
1,8
1,7
1,6

2,6
2,4
2,3
2,1
2,0
1,9
1,8

1,2

1,4

1,6

3,1
2,7
2,5
2,4
2,3
2,2
2,1
2,0

3,2
2,8
2,7
2,6
2,4
2,3
2,2
2,2

1,8

2,0

4,3
3,9
3,5
3,2
3,1
3,0
2,9
2,8

2,5

5,4
5,0
4,6
4,2
3,9
3,6
3,5
3,4

3,0

6,9
6,1
5,7
5,3
4,9
4,6
4,3
4,0

3,5

8,1
7,2
6,4
6,0
5,7
5,3
5,0
4,7

4,0

10,3
9,4
8,6
7,8
7,0
6,7
6,4
6,1
5,8

8,3
7,5
6,7
6,4
6,0
5,7
5,4
5,1

4,5

5,0

16,2
11,7
10,8
10,0
9,2
8,5
7,8
7,5
7,2

6,0

16,6
11,2
11,4
10,6
9,9
9,2

7,0

17,0
12,8
12,0
11,3
10,6
10,0

8,0

9,0

21,9
17,5
13,5
12,7
12,0

32,3
26,9 27,7
22,4 23,3
18,0 19,2
14,1 15,6
13,5
12,8

37,7
33,1
28,7
24,4
20,5
17,2

43,1
38,5
34,0
29,7
25,6
21,9

48,5
43,9
39,4
35,0
30,8
26,9

53,9
49,2
44,7
40,3
36,1
32,0
28,3

10,0 12,0 14,0 16,0 18,0 20,0 25,0

55,9
51,5
47,2
43,0
39,1
35,4

Place resultant force FR for drilling in solid material in the known formula for
determining the required gripping force Fspz:
FR . Sz
sp

dz
dsp

where:
Fspz = gripping force required for a given job with the chuck stationary.
FR = resultant force of cutting force and feeding force
Chucking ratio

dz
=
dsp

cutting dia.
chucking dia

where dz =

drill dia.
2

sp = chucking coefficient (friction between jaw and workiece)

Sz = safety factor
II and III
Continue the calculation - from determination of the initial gripping force Fspo to determination
of operating power and the pressure required - exactly as described in Section A) Turning, II) and III).
6232

61,0 64,0
57,0
53,2

30,0 35,0 40,0

Feeding force Fvax [kN]

Fspz =

58,3
54,1
50,0
46,1
42,4

Determining the required gripping force of a power chuck

Power-operated clamping devices

Calculation (example):
Having:
1. Workpiece and machining data.
Material
=
Chucking dia. dsp (roughed) =
Drill dia. (in solid mat.)
=
Feed s
=
Deepth of cut t
=
Speed n
=
2.

C 45
60 mm
30 mm
0,3 mm
15 mm
200 min-1

Chuck data
Power chuck KFD 200
Jaws with diamond style gripping surface
External gripping with UB 538-04 top jaws at mid position of gripping range
Chuck in new condition (no special influencing parameters)

Find:
1. Required gripping force Fspz
2. Initial gripping force Fspo
3. Operating power
Solution:
Cutting force (Formula 4)
FsBo = s t kc = 0,3 15 2,70 = 12,10 kN
s t from Table 1 (or calculated)
kc from Table 2

Power-operated
clamping devices

1.

2. Required gripping force

Fspz =

FR Sz
sp

dz
dsp

.
= 15,70 2,0 . 0,25 = 39,25 kN
0,2

Obtain resultant force FR

from Table 7
(after first obtaining F
dz
Chucking ratio
from Table 3 (or calculated).
dsp
3. Check if any effective centrifugal forces act on the jaws at a speed of n = 200 min-1.
As this is not the case in this example, we have:
4. Initial gripping force Fspo = Ssp . Fspz
Ssp from VDI recommendation 3106

= 1,5 39,25 kN
= 59,00 kN

5. Obtain operating power from the gripping force/operating power diagram for KFD 200.
For a gripping force of 59,00 kN the operating power is 29 kN
6. For boring (using a boring cutter) the calculation described under A. Turning
applies analogously.

6233