CNC INFO

February 2012
Information on how to properly install and care for HSK
tool interfaces
Written by Benjamin Kaiser
The HSK interface is very accurately manufactured and has a tolerance range about +/- 2 .
Therefore it is crucial for the high quality and long-lasting durability of the tool and the
machine to keep this interface clean and maintain it to the highest standards. Coarse
contaminants, which are not removed by the compressed air produced by the machine
during the tool change, pose an impairment of the machine precision, worsen directly the
quality of the machined timber and lead to imbalance.
Cleaning HSK
We recommend to take a look at the tool interfaces during the daily visual inspection of the
machine and to carry out cleaning if necessary. Any contaminants, like splinters, dust and
rust have to be removed. During the maintenance of the tool it is most certainly advisable to
clean and service the cone.
As illustrated in the photograph the cleaning agent is put on the cone and then with the help
of a light push and a rotating movement used for cleansing. It is important that the flat is also
cleaned.
The shaft at the machine is cleaned in the same way with the appropriate counterpart. From
experience we know the contamination of the toolkits is more serious since they are
unprotected and exposed to the dust radiating from the machine.

Fig. 1: positioning of the cleaning agent

CNC-Info

Fig. 2: press the cleaner on the taper all the way to

the stop

February

HSK Interface

Cleanser
To clean the shaft and the HSK taper, specific cleaning agents from various manufacturers
are available. From April 2012, various cone and cone-cleaners, metal polish and anti-rust
spray can be ordered directly from OERTLI.

Fig. 3: Grinding paste

Fig. 4: taper cleaner for cleaning HSK

Rust and corrosion

The tool interfaces should receive a rust protection every time they are maintained. A good
choice is EKASIT SPRAY 1420/F it is best to spread it carefully with a cloth after spraying it
on the desired spot. Preventive maintenance requires significantly less labour than
reconditioning the tool interface afterwards by the use of a grinding paste or a polishing cloth.
Tools in good order have a better performance and show less attrition.

Fig. 5
Fig. 4
Fig. 4 + 5: formations of rust and contaminants at the HSK interface

Fig. 6

Fig. 7

Fig. 6 + 7: contaminated HSK interface defective because of the use of an aggressive cleansing
agent and lack of maintenance

CNC-Info

February

HSK Interface

Mounting
The CNC-tools are balanced to extremely tight tolerances by OERTLI. Owing to dismounting
and mounting of the tools on the HSK shafts it is possible that the balancing quality is lost. To
minimize the occurrence of this we apply spots on all CNC-tools, (earlier it was an "x"). It is
very important that these marks form one line again after the tools have been mounted once
more. Additionally it is extremely important that all flats are clean and that there are no
contaminants between the spacing rings and tool bodies.

Fig. 8: applied spots on CNC-tool

Torques
The central clamping bolt is tightened to 15 Nm where ISK is used and to 30 Nm where Torx
is concerned. This bolt is protected with a locking agent.

For further information please contact our product manager for CNC Thomas Oertli.

CNC-Info

February

HSK Interface