Quote Originally Posted by rwskinner View Post
After the stepper loosens the drawbar what drives the drawbar down so the collet releases? Really, sounds plausable. The only two items I don't like about it is your using valuable pins for the stepper which I'd rather use for something else, then the other concern is knocking the collet loose.

I guess you could use an air cylinder to keep the stepper and socket pressed down on the drawbar so 1, it engages and 2, the cylinder causes the collet to break loose?


Richard
You have to have something to engage the stepper with the drawbar. Whatever does that, could also provide the down-force to release the taper. Done properly, simply unscrewing the drawbar can force the tool down, due to the drawbar threads - all it requires is preventing the drawbar nut from rising as it's unscrewed.

Regards,
Ray L.