You can't always get by with an off-the-shelf collet or workholding device. As a matter of fact, sometimes a custom-made solution could save you time and money.

Hardinge specializes in solutions for extruded stock, non-round parts, eccentric, off-center, stepped and other hard to grip parts. Hardinge will work closely with you to solve your individual needs while working within your parameters. Their Design and Application Engineers have over a century of combined experience.

Non-Typical Workpiece Materials
Quite often it is necessary to hold a soft or brittle workpiece, a part that cannot be marked or scratched, or a thin-walled part. Hardinge can provide a gripping solution for all types of workpiece materials.

Special Collets are available to hold glass rods, optical lenses, pill capsules, plastics and wood.
Hardinge has experience with all types of materials including brass and aluminum extrusions, castings and die castings. View Custom-Manufacturing Capabilities brochure (PDF 5.29MB).

Specialty and High Production Machines
No job is too complex or unusual! Hardinge's team of experts can provide an accurate and reliable solution while minimizing your setup and handling without compromising the integrity of your machine. You'll experience less breakage and wear with Hardinge workholding products…and that means more uptime on your machine!

• Hold pins and electronic components inserted on boards 
• Hold pill capsules for assembly
• Hold pipes for bending into tail pipes and bumpers 
• Fasten tops on perfume bottles 
• Crimping with expanding collets
• Hold engine valves for grinding
• Expand plastic tubing
• Hold long delicate glass tubes

Specials are manufactured to rigid specifications, including material, heat treat and machined accuracy. Hardinge will work with you for the fastest possible delivery time to meet your deadline. Quite often a stock item can be altered to meet your requirements.