The connection between cutting and clamping forces in turning

The chuck has, for a long time, been considered the weakest link of a lathe. This is mainly due to its two-fold connection, to the machine spindle on the one hand and to the workpiece on the other. An additional limitation of the chuck lies in the incomplete knowledge one has of the load it is exposed to during operation, which usually leads to a less than optimal machining process. Unless our understanding of the properties of clamping devices and of the effects of external loads is improved, the risk is great that this deficiency in our knowledge will be a limiting factor in the continuing development of machine tools [1]. The aim of this work has been to isolate and to investigate the factors that influence the necessary clamping forces when using jaw chucks. An extensive model development has been carried out towards a better understanding of the problem. The models thus developed have been analyzed as to their validity using the FEM and also through experimental studies. The present study has been limited to the processing of ring shaped, weak workpieces.