Live And Static Tools

Efficiency & Versatility

Search Additional Resources

A blue rectangular button with a white filmstrip icon containing a play symbol on the left and the text “VIDEOS & CONTENT” with a right-facing arrow on the right.

A white book icon and the word CATALOGS in white capital letters with a right-pointing arrow, all on a blue background.

White icon of a machine tool and text that reads LIVE & STATIC TOOLS MAIN PRODUCT PAGE with a right arrow, all on a blue background.

A blue rectangle with a white icon of a book featuring a gear symbol, next to the words PRODUCT MANUALS and a right-pointing arrow.

A large white question mark and white text reading FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) with a white arrow on a blue background.

LIVE TOOLING AND STATIC TOOLING ENABLES EFFICIENCY AND VERSATILITY

Close-up of a CNC machine turret with multiple live tools attached on the right, and three individual live tools displayed separately on the left against a plain background.

Lathe live tooling and static tooling help manufacturers overcome challenges related to productivity, complexity, accuracy, material waste, costs, and competitiveness, ultimately enabling them to produce high-quality parts efficiently and effectively.

Live tooling interfaces and static tooling interfaces for CNC turning centers, lathes, and mill-turn machines offer unique performance benefits for specific machines. The interfaces include PSC polygonal, bolt mount, VDI, and turret specific.

LIVE TOOLING ENGINEERED FOR PERFORMANCE, PRECISION & RELIABILITY

Bearings

A cross-section of a metal ball bearing showing the inner and outer rings, copper-colored cage, and multiple steel balls inside the bearing. Experience guaranteed concentricity of 0.03 mm at 100 mm and industry-leading rotational speeds – made possible by high-precision angular ball bearings. The optimized design provides unmatched rigidity due to maximizing the bearing distance and minimizing the distance to the cutting edge.

Gears

Two interlocking gears positioned vertically and horizontally, used inside live tools. Engineered for maximum power and precision, cyclo-palloid toothed bevel gears deliver the highest torque output with exceptionally smooth operation. Fine-tune your performance with low-backlash gear adjustments, made possible through an individually calibrated manual setting that ensures optimal accuracy and repeatability.

Sealing

Cross-sectional rendering of a live tool PTFE shaft, showing internal components such as gears, bearings, and seals, with some parts highlighted in blue for emphasis. Operate with confidence – even dry running is possible for nearly all tools thanks to the innovative sealing system up to 70 bar. The friction-optimized PTFE shaft seals reduce heat generation, while an integrated dirt labyrinth protects internal components from chips and dust.

Tooling Interfaces

Different live tool interfaces for ER Collet Chucks, PSC Polygonal and Quick-change. Flexibility meets speed with a range of tool interfaces. In addition to the standard ER collet chuck and PSC polygonal interface, a proven quick-change interface is available with a wide range of adapters to support a variety of applications. A new clamping key enables convenient one-handed operation on live tools with ER collet chucks.

Reliability

A circular badge with a blue border that reads 1-Jahr Garantie and 1-Year Warranty with white stars. The center is silver and displays 100% TESTED in black uppercase letters. German-engineered, manufactured, and rigorously tested, our products are built for long-term reliability. Every unit undergoes thorough quality control post-assembly and is backed by a 1-year warranty.

Maintenance

Three internal live tool components, including a silver gearbox with a protruding shaft and two gear assemblies with visible gears and metal housings, are arranged on a white background. The system features encapsulated permanent lubrication with high-speed grease, ensuring maintenance-free performance for the full-service life.

SK LIVE TOOLING PROVIDES HIGHER GRIPPING FORCE

SK live tooling solves common machining challenges like cutter pullout, high runout, and tool breakage. With higher gripping force, increased rigidity and precision, and the ability to run with or without coolant (ICE Internal Coolant + External Option feature allows internal coolant live tools to run dry continuously), SK live tools improve cycle times, reduce scrap, and handle tougher cuts with ease. Read the SK live tooling blog to learn more.

A graphic lists the benefits of higher gripping force in machining, with a silhouette of a live tool.

Watch the videos to see and hear the difference between:

Watch Video: SK ICE live tooling versus traditional SK live tooling
Watch Video: SK ICE live tooling versus ER live tooling

LIVE TOOLING STYLES ENGINEERED FOR EFFICIENCY AND VERSATILITY

Live tooling is available in many different styles as well as options for coolant through, adjustable, and multi-output. Live tools are offered for a multitude of machine builders. Additionally, custom-made live tools can be engineered for specific applications.

Seven different type of live tools are displayed in two rows against a white background. Each live tool is labeled with a name: 90 Degree, Straight, Adjustable, Collet Chuck, Shell Mill Holder, Modular System, and Multiple Output.

STATIC TOOLING STYLES ENGINEERED FOR STABILITY & PRECISION

Static tooling is available in many different styles as well as options for coolant through, adjustable, and multi-output. Static tooling is offered for a multitude of machine builders.

Five types of static tools are shown in a row, each labeled from left to right: Boring Bar, Cut Off, Collet Chuck, ID Holder, and OD Holder. Each static tool has a distinct shape and mounting design.