Angle Heads and Spindle Speeders

Quality angle heads are equipped with hardened and ground gears and collet shafts. Units are also fitted with high- precision angular contact bearings, assuring improved rigidity and accuracy. Compact designs will maintain accurate spindle and tool centerline alignment while minimizing tool overhang – accuracy is maintained throughout the machining process from plane to plane. Key features that ensure the rigidity and accuracy of an angle head include:

Vernier Scales and Positioning Rings – Vernier scales help to orient the cutting tool location (0 – 360°).

Recessed Collet Seat – With the collet seat recessed into the body of the angle head, rigidity is optimized while maintaining a compact design.

High Precision Assembly – Angle heads assembled with high precision, P4 quality spindle bearings that are stabilized for high speeds up to 15,000 rpm and high torques up to 110.634 lbs-ft. The spiral beveled gears allow for high rigidity and smooth machining operations.

Right angle heads allow machining perpendicular to the spindle axis (Z axis) without multiple setups. Designed for durability, precision, and ease of use, our angle heads improve productivity and part accuracy for complex parts.

All vertical machines commonly work in the surface/plane noted by the BLUE section in the illustration to the right (Z axis is perpendicular to the work plane). To machine surfaces/planes denoted by GREEN in the illustration to the right, without unchucking and rotating the part, one possible solution is to use a right angle head.

Right angle heads can be set to access 360 degrees around a fixed workpiece. So, if you are spending too much time doing multiple set-ups and/or having part inaccuracies due to having to do multiple set-ups, using angle heads may be a better solution for your application.

Features & Benefits of Right Angle Heads:

• 360° Workpiece Access – Machine intricate geometries without repositioning parts
• Reduce Setup Time – Minimize downtime and simplify machining operations
• Optimize Cycle Time – Perform multiple machining processes efficiently
• Increase Part Accuracy – Less handling of the workpiece reduces the risk of errors and scrap
• Access Hard-to-Reach Features – Perfect for tubes, castings, forgings, and other complex parts

Phil Linscheid, Director of Manufacturing, at Hamilton Company manufactures medical products and other types of products that handle fluids. Previously, Hamilton Company used right angle heads from a different brand, and they had to buy up to 5 of them as the preventative maintenance schedule was never met by that supplier. Now, exclusively using Lyndex-Nikken right angle heads, surface finish of the parts is improved, and the preventative maintenance schedule is right on time. Watch the video to hear more from Phil.

Machines have a limited RPM range. So, in cases where a small cutter must be used for machining operations, the spindle RPM must be increased to meet the proper cutting speed for the material being machined.

In other cases, a higher RPM can also translate to faster feeds, allowing for a faster rate of production.

In either scenario, the way to increase a machine’s RPM is by using a spindle speeder or speed increaser that uses an epicyclic or planetary gearing system to operate. Since the outer bigger gear has 5 times as many teeth when compared to 1 smaller “planet” gear, for every one rotation of the outer gear, each planet gear will rotate 5 times. In the case where the inside “sun” gear has an equal number of teeth as the planet gear, the center spindle will rotate at 5X times the RPM of the outer bigger gear.

Nikken’s HiSpinner spindle speeder or speed increaser is ideal for all high speed, small tool milling and drilling applications. With a gear ratio of 1:5 (1 X input RPM: 5 X output RPM), the maximum RPM is 20,000. The HiSpinner has double the gripping force compared to traditional ER systems due to Nikken’s patented SK collet chucks and TiN bearing nut. As a result, the HiSpinner achieves accuracy of 5-micron runout at 4x the diameter. Additionally, it is lightweight, easy to use, and is capable of working in most automatic tool changers (ATCs).

Excellent accuracy and durability are achieved through the use of our integral shank spindle, tempered and ground gears, and high precision pre-loaded spindle bearings.

• Highly Accurate – A main spindle supported at four points by high precision (P4 grade) bearings, ensure smooth, precise rotation and increased surface finish quality.
• Durable – HiSpinner bearings and gear chamber are isolated from contamination by specially designed seals.
• Positioning Pins – Speed increasers that rotate beyond the main spindle’s maximum RPM require a positioning pin to operate. This pin, which is seated into a positioning block, locks the toolholder’s body into a stationary position relative to the spindle face. With its body properly aligned and secured, the toolholder’s internal mechanisms are ready to perform their designed operations. A positioning block may require slight modifications to accommodate your particular machine. Please contact Lyndex-Nikken for additional support to help design the positioning block for your machine.

Watch angle head and spindle speeder videos to hear and see for yourself how Lyndex-Nikken quality products provide optimal machining solutions.