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SHRINK FIT SYSTEM- GETTING STARTED

Friday, July 16, 2021

Start 2 shrink fit units offer:

High speed shrinking for most shank sizes in 2 seconds
Automatic detection of cutting tool sizes to eliminate overheating of the toolholder
Inductor rotates 180° to easily remove broken tools
Optional foot pedal allows heating of tool while keeping both hands free for safety and more control
Shrink and unshrink any type of tools and cutters – tool shank must have h6 tolerance
Adapters to accommodate multiple taper types (ISO, HSK, Polygonal)
Widest shrinking range available for a desktop unit: 0.079” – 1.575” (Ø 2 – 40mm)
Remote control pendant – shrink and cooling unit linked and controlled with one pendant
3-Phase power supply available in 200V or 400V – no transformer needed
Unique slide-out control module for easy service or repair within 24 hours

If you have already purchased a Start 2 shrink fit unit and need to know how to set it up, inspect, and use it – watch this video.

Quick Start Guide: Implementing Your Shrink Fit System

The Lyndex-Nikken Shrink Fit system is engineered to provide the highest levels of concentricity and clamping force available in modern tooling. To achieve these results safely and consistently, it is vital to understand the fundamental workflow of induction heating and cooling. This guide is designed to help your shop floor team transition from traditional tool holding to high-performance thermal clamping.

Step 1: Preparation and Safety

Before beginning the heating cycle, ensure that both the tool holder and the cutting tool shank are completely clean and free of oil, residue, or debris.

Cleaning the Bore: Use a specialized brush and solvent to clean the internal bore of the shrink fit holder. Any residue left inside can “bake” onto the surfaces, making tool removal difficult.
Tool Shank Inspection: Only use high-quality carbide tools with h6 shank tolerances. Verify that the tool shank is free of burrs or deep scratches that could interfere with the precision fit.
Safety Gear: Always wear heat-resistant gloves and eye protection. Induction heating works rapidly, and the tool holders can reach temperatures exceeding 300°C in seconds.

Step 2: The Heating and Insertion Process

The induction unit uses localized electromagnetic fields to expand the tool holder bore without overheating the entire body.

Selecting the Correct Sleeve: Choose the induction ring or sleeve that matches the nose diameter of your holder. A proper fit ensures even heat distribution.
The Heating Cycle: Activate the unit. Most Lyndex-Nikken units feature pre-programmed settings for specific holder sizes to prevent overheating.
Insertion: Once the bore has expanded, insert the tool to the desired depth. Do not force the tool; if the bore is sufficiently expanded, it should drop in easily.

Step 3: Controlled Cooling for Precision

Proper cooling is just as important as heating. Rapid, uneven cooling can lead to “thermal set” issues that compromise runout accuracy.

Active Cooling Sleeves: Place the heated holder into the specialized cooling station. These stations utilize liquid or air-flow sleeves to draw heat away from the holder body efficiently.
Wait Times: Avoid the temptation to quench the holder in water or use compressed air directly on the hot metal, as this can cause micro-fractures in the steel. Wait for the cooling cycle to complete (usually about 60-90 seconds) before handling the tool for the machine spindle.

Optimizing Your Workflow

To maximize the ROI of your shrink fit system, we recommend batching your tool changes. By prepping multiple tools at once, you can move from the heating station to the cooling station in a continuous flow, ensuring your CNC machines are never waiting for a fresh tool.