However, collet chucks have some disadvantages. For instance, their clamping range is restricted and makes frequent changeovers unavoidable. Also, due to their inherent design, collet chucks cannot be used for clamping a workpiece from the inside. Therefore, if the full potential of the machine tool is to be used, collet chucks, unfortunately, are not always the best clamping solution.

So, what is the best solution? The FORKARDT approach is as simple as it is convincing: to develop a universally applicable three-jaw chuck that could be used for speeds of up to 10,000 r.p.m. A dream chuck, so to say, a chuck that users demanded when high-speed machining turned into a nightmare.

Now FORKARDT has made the dream a reality: we proudly present the 3 LDH 175, our brand-new high-speed chuck.

In summary, the most important design characteristics of the FORKARDT LDH are:

• A lever jaw actuation system, which provides a "natural" centrifugal force compensation.
• A strong body with no jaw guideways, thus achieving optimal stability.
• A hermetically sealed and permanently lubricated mechanism.
• Manufactured from premium quality materials and precisely using the most modern manufacturing and testing procedures, the simple design with a minimum of movable parts ensures high reliability and safety.
• The highly precise positioning of the chuck's weight-optimized jaws using a HIRTH coupling and the possibility to balance the chuck on the spindle ensure smooth turning.