Types of Lathe Chucks
Types of Chuck in the Lathe Machine
A Lathe chuck is one of the most important devices in lathe machine it is used for holding and
rotating a piece of work while performing a lathe operation. The workpiece of short length and large
diameter of irregular shape which cannot be conveniently mounted between centres are held
quickly and rigidly in a chuck.
A chuck is attached to the lathe spindle by means of bolts with the backplate screwed on to the
spindle nose. Accurate alignment of the chuck with the lathe axis is effected by spigotting.
Read Also: 22 Different Types of Lathe Machine Operations
7 Types of Chuck In Lathe Machine
Following are the different types of chucks used in lathe machine:
1. Four jaws independent chuck
2. Three jaws universal chuck
3. Combination chuck
4. Magnetic Chuck
5. Collet chuck
6. Air or hydraulic operated chuck
7. Drill Chuck
Four-Jaw Independent Chuck
The figure shows a four jaw chuck diagram. The arrangement of four jaws independent chuck, which
has four jaws, located at an angle of 90° to each other.
Here all the four jaws are opened independently. Here four screws are used in place of scroll disk,
Hence it is called as four jaw independent chuck.
Each jaw made of tough steel has three inner and one outer gripping surface. The outer gripping
surface is used for holding larger sizes of the workpiece by reversing the jaw.
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Types of Lathe Chucks
Concentric circles inscribed on the face of the chuck facilitate quick centring of the workpiece. This
type of chuck is particularly used in the setting up of heavy and irregular shaped articles. The
diameter of the body specifies the size of the chuck.
Read Also: Capstan and Turret Lathes
Universal or Three Jaw Chuck
A three-jaw chuck is shown in the figure. This is the most commonly used types of chuck in the lathe
machine. The three jaws are generally made of high-quality steel and are arrogated at an angle of
120° to each other.
During the operation, the jaw teeth are made to mesh with scrawl spiral teeth (Bevel teeth). The
meshing causes a moment of all three jaws either towards or away from the chuck centre,
depending upon the direction of rotation of the bevel pinion. The pinion is operated by square end
key called "chuck key".
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Types of Lathe Chucks
The chuck suitable for holding round, or hexagonal, and other similar shaped workpieces. In three-
jaw chuck, the job is centred automatically and quickly. But it has the less gripping capacity as only
three jaws are used and centring accuracy is soon lost due to wear.
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Combination Chuck
As the name implies, a combination of chuck, as shown in Figure. It is used both as a self-centring
and an independent chuck to take advantage of both the types.
The jaws are operated individually by separate screws or simultaneously by the scroll disc. The frame
has teeth cut on its underside which meshes with the scroll and all the jaws together with the screws
move radially when the scroll is made to rotate by a pinion.
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Magnetic Chuck
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Types of Lathe Chucks
The chuck is used for holding a very thin workpiece made of magnetic material which cannot be held
in an ordinarily chuck. It is also used where any distortion of the workpiece due to the pressure of
the jaws is undesirable.
The holding power of the chuck is obtained by the magnetic flux radiating either from the
electromagnets or from the permanent magnets introduced within the chuck.
In the ON position, the flux passes through the workpiece and grips it. In OFF position the magnets
are set aside bringing them in contact with high permeable " keepers" which short-circuit the flux
and prevent them from passing through the workpiece.
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Collet Chuck
Collet chucks are used for holding bar stock in production work where quick setting and accurate
centring is needed.
The chuck attached to the spindle by a nut consists of a thin cylindrical bushing known as collet
having a slots cut lengthwise on its periphery. The inside bore of the collet is cylindrical, hexagonal,
square, etc. Depending on the shape of the work that will pass through it.
The outside surface of the collet which is tapered fits in the taper hole on the body of the chuck, and
the tail end which is threaded meshes with a key.
When the key is turned from outside, the collet is drawn in resulting in the split tapered end to be
pushed inward due to the springy action.
And the workpiece is securely and accurately held in the chuck. Different sizes of collectors are used
for holding different sizes of the bar stock. These chucks are commonly used in capstan and turret
lathes.
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Air or Hydraulic Operated Chucks
This type of chuck shown in the figure. It is used in mass production work for its fast and effective
gripping capacity. The mechanism incorporates a hydraulic or air cylinder mounted at the back end
of the headstock spindle and rotates with it.
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Types of Lathe Chucks
Fluid pressure is delivered to the cylinder by operating a valve with a lever and the piston will slide
within the cylinder. The movement of the piston is transmitted to the jaws by a connecting rod and
links and the jaws grip the workpiece securely.
Read Also: 4 Different Types of Shaper Machine Mechanism
Drill Chuck
A drill chuck is sometimes used in a lathe for holding straight skank drill, reamer or tap for drilling,
reaming, or tapping operation. The chuck is held either in headstock or tailstock spindle. It has
centring jaws which have operated by rotating a key.
Difference between Three jaws and Four-jaw chucks
Three-jaw chuck Four jaws chuck
The jaws on the three-jaw chuck move all at equal
On four jaws chuck, jaws move separately.
time
The depth of cut is relatively less in the three-jaw In four-jaw chuck, the higher depth of cut can be
chuck. produced.
The three Jaw chuck has one hole for the chuck Four-Jaw chuck has four holes for the chuck key
key to tighten or loosen the jaws’ grip. to controlling each jaw at one time.
In three-jaw chuck, the workpieces cannot be set In four-jaw chuck, the workpieces can be set for
for eccentric turning. eccentric turning.
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Types of Lathe Chucks
In four-jaw chuck centring accuracy better than a
In three-jaw chuck, centring accuracy is lower.
three-jaw chuck.
Three jaw chuck has less gripping power than four Four-jaw chuck has more gripping power than
jaw chuck. three-jaw chuck
In three-jaw chuck, heavier workpieces cannot be
In four chuck heavier workpieces can be turned.
turned.
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14 Different Types of Lathe Cutting Tools
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