Chuck

What Is a Chuck?

A chuck is a mechanical drive unit used in machining centers and automated assembly machines to grip the material (workpiece) to be processed or the processing tool.

For example, a chuck is an electric hand attached to a robot arm or a part that holds the cutting tool of a milling machine or drilling machine.

There are various types of chuck depending on the application, and there are multiple ways to install chuck.

Uses of Chucks

The use of chucks depends on what you want to achieve with it. Typical applications are shown below:

1. To grip the material (workpiece) to be processed
   Chucks are used as a hand for a robot arm, etc.
2. To fix a tool to process a workpiece
   For example, chucks are used to hold tools to process a workpiece on a milling machine or drilling machine.

When you want to clamp a workpiece without damaging it, you can control the clamping force by attaching silicone or other material to the end of the chucks. In this way, various innovations are made to suit the purpose.

Characteristics of Chucks

There are various types of chucks, each with its own characteristics. Typical chucks and their features are listed below:

1. Scroll Chuck
   It has a scroll-shaped cam inside. All the jaws are interlocked, and simply rotating the handle at one point drives all the jaws simultaneously. Since all the jaws are interlocked and move in the same motion, it is suitable, for example, for gripping cylindrical workpieces.
2. Independent Chuck
   In contrast to scroll chucks, independent chucks are chucks in which all jaws are driven independently of each other. Since each jaw is independent, the amount of movement can be set for each jaw. This type of chuck is used to grip workpieces with complex shapes.
3. Magnetic Chuck
   Magnetic chucks use electromagnets or permanent magnets to attract the workpiece by magnetic force to hold it in place.
4. Vacuum Chuck
   This chuck creates a vacuum and grips the workpiece with the force of the vacuum. It is used to grip small workpieces, or when there is a risk of damaging the workpiece with hard jaws.