Manual Tool Change
Electric Spindles with manual tool change clamp the tool/cutter using a spring collet in the taper of the spindle shaft. This method offers excellent rigidity at a low cost. The disadvantage is long tool change times of 2-3 minutes each.

Automatic Tool Change
Electric Spindles equipped with automatic tool change can be integrated with a CNC for quick tool changes without manual intervention. Typical tool change times are less than 5 seconds. On applications requiring multiple cutters, an ATC spindle offers higher productivity. With an ATC spindle tools/cutters are pre-set in tool holders. Tool holders are typically clamped in the electric spindle by a spring loaded clamping system. Tool holders are released by compressing the springs and opening the clamping system (typically with a pneumatic actuator). Pre-Setting tools occurs off-line using jigs for accuracy and without interrupting production.

ISO and HSK are the two most common tool holders used on CNC routers, robots and milling machines. ISO 30 is more popular than the smaller taper sizes ISO 25, 20 and 15. HSK 50 and HSK 63 tool holders provide better cutting accuracy and reliability. Their popularity is growing rapidly due to performance.

ER Collets

ISO Toolholders

HSK Toolholders