In an increasingly competitive manufacturing environment, reducing machine downtime is a primary goal to boost efficiency and improve company profitability. Tools and toolholders with ISO 26623-1 taper represent an effective solution to optimize setup operations and ensure greater machining continuity.
But how much does machine uptime affect the overall productivity of a machine shop?
The utilization rate of machining centers is one of the most significant indicators of a company's production performance. In fact, every minute spent on non-productive activities directly impacts costs and the ability to meet delivery deadlines.
Among the primary causes of machine downtime are:
tool presetting
adjustment operations
replacement of worn tools
changing of machining components
Reducing these times, however, does not only mean speeding up tool changes. It is essential to maintain high quality standards and ensure:
machining precision
high cutting performance
maximum rigidity and stability of the tooling system
repeatability and reliability at every change
To achieve these goals, it is necessary to adopt tooling systems designed to increase efficiency without compromising production process accuracy.
One of the highest-performing solutions is represented by tools and toolholders with an ISO 26623-1 quick-change modular connection, designed to reduce replacement times, improve productivity, and make machining operations more flexible.
In the following paragraphs, we will analyze the characteristics of this system and the main advantages it can offer to companies in the metalworking sector.
Keep reading the article to learn more.
Tools and toolholders with an ISO 26623-1 connection adopt a quick-change modular coupling system that guarantees accuracy, rigidity, and high repeatability during tool replacement. Furthermore, the interface is compatible with the Coromant Capto® system, allowing high interchangeability between components.
| PSC ISO 26623-1 | ||||||||||||
| PSC | D | D1 | D2 | D3 | D4 | D5 | L1min | L2 | L3 | a | B | R |
| 32 | 32 | 22 | 15 | M12x1,5 | 39,0 | 5 | 15 | 19 | 6 | 2,5 | 9,0 | 3 |
| 40 | 40 | 28 | 18 | M14x1,5 | 46,0 | 5 | 20 | 24 | 8 | 2,5 | 11,0 | 3 |
| 50 | 50 | 35 | 21 | M16x1,5 | 59,3 | 7 | 20 | 30 | 10 | 3,0 | 14,0 | 4 |
| 63 | 63 | 44 | 28 | M20x2,0 | 70,7 | 7 | 22 | 38 | 12 | 3,0 | 18,0 | 5 |
| 80 | 80 | 55 | 32 | M20x2,0 | 86,0 | 7 | 30 | 48 | 12 | 3,0 | 22,2 | 6 |
| 100 | 100 | 72 | 43 | M24x2,0 | 110,0 | 10 | 32 | 60 | 16 | 3,0 | 29,2 | 6 |
The core of the system consists of a tri-lobe polygonal connection, designed to ensure a stable coupling between the spindle and the tool. This unique geometry allows torque to be transmitted efficiently and maintains high performance in both turning and milling operations.
The ISO 26623-1 connection offers numerous operational advantages:
Thanks to its versatility, the ISO 26623-1 system can be used on numerous types of machines, including:
Turning centers
Multitasking machines
Machining centers
Furthermore, it is compatible with driven tools and major master adapters, such as HSK-A, ISO DIN 69871, and MAS BT, offering high flexibility in tooling configurations.
The characteristics of the ISO 26623-1 connection translate into tangible benefits for companies looking to increase production efficiency, reduce machine downtime, and improve machining quality.
The most significant advantages are analyzed below.
One of the key strengths of the ISO 26623-1 system is the speed of tool replacement operations.
The clamping and unclamping mechanism simply requires a half turn of the tightening screw, allowing the changeover to be completed in just a few seconds.
Compared to traditional systems, which can require 3–4 minutes for tool replacement and re-presetting, the quick-change system allows the operation to be completed in about 20 seconds, while also eliminating the need to repeat the presetting process. This translates into a significant reduction in non-productive time and greater machine availability.
The tri-lobe polygonal interface guarantees an extremely precise and self-centering coupling.
The system ensures a repeatability of ±2 μm on the X, Y, and Z axes, allowing the tool to be reinstalled while maintaining its original position without further adjustments.
This feature is particularly advantageous when using sister tools prepared off-machine or during production changeovers, as it reduces restart times, limits initial scrap, and ensures consistent quality from the very first machined part.
Tool stability is a fundamental element for achieving precise machining and extending tool life.
Thanks to high resistance to bending and excellent torque transmission between the spindle and the tool, the ISO 26623-1 system guarantees a rigid and reliable coupling even in the heaviest machining operations.
Greater stability helps reduce vibrations, improve workpiece surface finish, and increase overall process productivity.
The advantages of the ISO 26623-1 quick-change system derive directly from its interface design, developed to ensure accuracy, rigidity, and reliability even in the most demanding machining operations.
The interface is based on a dual-contact system between the tapered polygonal centering (2.88°) and the flange. This configuration increases the coupling rigidity between the spindle and the tool, reducing the bending moment during machining.
The result is greater system stability and a positioning accuracy of ±2 μm, which is essential for ensuring repeatable and high-quality machining.
The unique tri-lobe polygonal geometry provides a large contact surface between the components, allowing torque to be transmitted uniformly without the need for keys, pins, dowel screws, or other drive elements.
The homogenous distribution of the torsional load, regardless of the working direction, improves coupling stability and promotes a natural self-centering effect, helping to maintain consistent accuracy over time.
Tool clamping is achieved through a segment system driven by a camshaft with a self-locking angle.
This solution generates high clamping forces and prevents any accidental loosening during machining, even in the presence of high mechanical stress. This results in greater operational safety, system reliability, and production process continuity.
Tools and toolholders with an ISO 26623-1 connection represent an effective solution for improving machining efficiency, reducing setup times, and increasing workshop productivity.
Thanks to the quick-change modular system, it is possible to decrease machine downtime, guarantee high positioning accuracy, and achieve a stable and repeatable coupling between the spindle and the tool. All of this translates into better machining quality and a reduction in scrap.
The system offers even more obvious advantages in applications that require the use of long tools or those subject to high stress. In fact, the high rigidity of the interface and the reduction of the bending moment help to limit vibrations, preserve tools, and operate under safer conditions.
Choosing a connection system compliant with the ISO 26623-1 standard means investing in a more efficient, reliable, and flexible production process.
If you want to identify the solution best suited to your needs, the SAU technical team is available to help you choose the tools, toolholders, and chucks capable of optimizing the performance of your machine tools.
SAU Team
SAU - Quality Tools Engineering since 1982.