Home / Product Center / Expanding Mandrels

Internal bore clamping, ID locating and internal expansion clamping heads for rings, sleeves and gears.

Expanding Mandrels & Internal Expansion Clamping Heads

KORRETTO expanding mandrels, expanding arbors and internal expansion clamping head systems clamp the workpiece from the bore instead of the outside diameter. They are used for sleeves, rings, gears, bearing seats, flange bores and parts where the internal diameter is the main locating reference. This category includes blind-hole expanding clamping heads, through-hole expanding clamping heads, through-hole expanding clamping head chuck units, ID clamping mandrels and related internal expansion solutions.

Browse Expanding Mandrels and Internal Expansion Clamping Heads

Select an expanding mandrel or internal expansion clamping head by bore type, bore diameter, tolerance, contact length, wall thickness, locating face, machine interface and actuation method. Blind-hole and through-hole workpieces require different internal expansion structures.

Blind-Hole Expanding Rubber Collet Chuck

Blind-Hole Expanding Rubber Collet Chuck

Product type
Internal expansion rubber-flex chuck assembly for blind-hole and semi-through-hole workpieces.
Typical applications
Bores that cannot be held externally, outside machining access and internal bore location.

Internal expansion rubber-flex chuck assembly for blind-hole and semi-through-hole workpieces where outside clamping must remain clear.

How to Select an Expanding Mandrel for Internal Bore Clamping

  1. Confirm the bore type
    Check whether the workpiece has a through bore, blind hole, stepped bore or limited effective bore depth.
  2. Start from the locating reference
    Expanding mandrels are suitable when the inside diameter is the functional reference or when outside clamping may damage the part.
  3. Check bore tolerance and contact length
    The bore diameter, tolerance, contact length and surface condition affect the selection of mandrel or expanding collet.
  4. Review wall thickness and cutting load
    Thin-wall parts may need flexible internal expansion. Heavy cutting may require a more rigid mandrel or support structure.
  5. Compare with external clamping
    If the outside diameter is the better locating surface, rubber flex collets, collet chucks or jaw chucks may be more suitable.

Quick Selection Table

RequirementStart with
Blind-hole internal clampingRubber Flex Expanding Collet for Blind Holes
Through-bore internal clampingThrough-Hole Rubber Flex Expanding Collet
Complete machine-side internal expansion unitThrough-Hole Rubber Flex Expanding Collet Chuck
Bore as the main functional referenceExpanding Mandrel / Expansion Sleeve Mandrel
Thin-wall bore-sensitive partRubber expanding collet system
External surface should not be markedInternal expanding mandrel

FAQ

What is an expanding mandrel used for?

An expanding mandrel or internal expansion clamping head is used to locate and clamp a workpiece from the internal bore. It may also be described as an expanding arbor or ID clamping mandrel, and is common for sleeves, rings, gears, bushings and parts where the bore is the reference surface.

When should I choose internal expansion instead of outside clamping?

Choose internal expansion when the bore is the functional reference, when the outside surface must not be marked, or when outside clamping does not provide reliable location.

Can one expanding mandrel handle blind holes and through holes?

Not usually. Blind-hole and through-hole workpieces require different structures and contact conditions. The bore drawing should be reviewed first.

What is the difference between an expanding mandrel and a rubber expanding collet?

A rigid expanding mandrel often uses a metal expansion structure. A rubber expanding collet uses segmented metal with rubber connection for more flexible bore contact.

What bore diameter and tolerance should be confirmed first?

Start with the bore diameter, bore tolerance, effective contact length and whether the workpiece is through-hole, blind-hole or limited-depth. These points determine the suitable internal clamping structure.

What information is needed for selection?

Provide the bore diameter, tolerance, depth, through-hole or blind-hole condition, workpiece material, wall thickness, locating face, machine interface and machining process.

Are expanding mandrels suitable for thin-wall parts?

They can be suitable, but force, contact length and wall thickness must be checked. Rubber expanding collets may help distribute contact more gently.

What machine or fixture interface should be checked?

Check the spindle or fixture mounting interface, drawbar or actuation condition, available stroke, workholding direction and whether the application needs a complete chuck unit or only the expanding element.

Email: qzy@korretto.com