Frequently Asked Questions

BIG-PLUS holders’ superior rigidity provides many machining benefits:

• Better surface finish and dimensional accuracy
• Longer tool life
• Prevention of fretting corrosion caused by heavy cutting
• Improved automatic tool changer (ATC) repeatability
• Elimination of Z-axial movement at high speeds

Keep an eye out for unlicensed, dual-contact tooling that is not BIG-PLUS. They will not perform as well as licensed BIG-PLUS tooling. The licensed system, developed by BIG DAISHOWA, allows holders to contact both the spindle taper and the spindle face flush, simultaneously.

Choosing the right tool holder depends on a wide array of variables. For instance, if high-speed machining is the job, balance may be a priority in selection. If a long tool is called for, vibration control might be at the top of the list. If controlling carbide costs or extending tool life is important to a job, there are different ways to approach choosing tools.

There's rarely a one-size-fits-all solution. Consult your supplier to discuss the best holder for your situation.

Where BIG-PLUS uses the taper and flange contact, HSK—hohl shaft kegel (HSK) in German—works by elastically deforming the tool holder. Fingers inside the hollow shank of the tool holder clamp the holder by pushing out. High spindle speed and centrifugal force actually strengthen HSK clamping.

As speeds and feeds have increased over the years, the shallower 1-to-10 taper ratio of the German hollow taper shank has proven effective.

We offer one of the largest selections of HSK holders in the world.

In most cases, users can skip balancing operations with holders from BIG DAISHOWA. Our holders are designed and built with extreme runout accuracy and control. As a result, when assembled properly, everything—cutting tools, collet nuts and pullstuds included—will spin on the same centerline as the spindle.

Side-lock holders are the exception. By design, they do not spin on a true centerline and must be balanced after assembly.

Most manufacturers specify a standard, such as ASME, JIS, MAS, ISO or DIN. However, they may also include some additional sealing features that are not specified in the standard and are unique to their equipment.

Consult your user manual for machine clamping knob specifications and requirements. BIG DAISHOWA pullstuds are specified not only by standard but also OEM where applicable.

Yes. Compared to any other tool holder type, hydraulic chucks can save time and ultimately money during setup or tool changes. The ability to unclamp/clamp a cutting tool securely with a single hex wrench is very efficient.

A minimum of five minutes can be saved with each tool change; multiply that by the average number of tool changes per shift and the savings accumulate quickly.

BIG DAISHOWA’s wide selection of cutting tool geometries offers solutions for many machining applications, including:

• Centering
• Drilling
• Twist drilling
• Chamfering
• Reaming
• Back spot facing
• End milling
• Face milling
• Engraving
• Pilot and spot drilling

BIG DAISHOWA offers indexable or solid carbide cutting tools with coatings suitable for most common and exotic materials, as well as high-speed micro cutting.

BIG DAISHOWA offers indexable cutting tools, solid carbide cutting tools and premium high-speed steel (HSS) micro-cutting tools. Special geometries are available for a wide selection of common and specialized machining operations.

Boring heads are typically broken down by whether they are designed for rough or finish. For longer-reach applications, there’s the choice between a solid boring bar and damping bars for added vibration resistance. From digital heads to twin cutters and modular components, there is a variety of boring tooling available to improve hole-making operations.

Our advice is to always use the shortest tool possible. Less distance between the part and the spindle is always better. Fewer components are always better too. That’s where a modular arrangement like the BIG KAISER CK precision system shows its value as the world’s most versatile tooling system.

The BIG KAISER modular CK boring system is fully compatible with all machine tool interfaces. The system is made up of more than 150 shank types, reductions and extensions, solid bars, damping bars, ER collet adapters and coolant inducers.

The value of a modular boring system is in its versatility. No matter the work you do, you’ll surely find the solution that fits. Every boring assembly should be kept as short as possible and components should be limited to four or five, not including boring head insert holders.

An angle head can be mounted into a horizontal or vertical machine to increase the number of approach angles to a part. Ultimately, this makes it easier to reach cuts that may not have even been possible, let alone efficient, in a 90-degree orientation. Angle heads also increase productivity by easily changing the angle of the cutter as opposed to the original workpiece setup.

What’s often most exciting, and overlooked, about angle heads is that they make cuts possible that would otherwise require significant setup changes or even different machinery. Horizontal, vertical and angular operations can be combined in one setup, dramatically reducing time and the chances for accuracy errors.

Manufacturers who have implemented the system primarily use a zero-point workholding as a quick way to securely and precisely load, unload and locate workpieces on a machine table. It’s proven especially for part access and automated 5-axis machining. The versatile workholding system has also been effectively used in grinding, turning, welding, EDM, inspection and assembly.

Every job or situation will be a little different, but choosing the correct workholding device or system for the work you do should be guided by four factors:

• Part size
• Part shape and material condition
• Production and mix levels
• Level of operator interaction