Mazak Lathe Tool Holders

These are the tool-holding assemblies that mount on the turret of a Mazak CNC turning centre (lathe) and carry the cutting tools that perform turning, boring, drilling, milling and threading operations.

Static tool holders are fixed (they hold a turning or boring tool in a rigid position while the workpiece rotates, performing standard lathe operations).

Driven (also called "live" or "power-driven") tool holders carry a rotating cutting tool (an end mill, drill, tap or similar) driven by the turret's drive, allowing milling, drilling and tapping to be performed on the part in the lathe (turning the machine into a mill-turn centre).

The distinction matters because driven tooling requires a holder that connects to the turret drive and rotates the tool, while static tooling simply holds the tool stationary.

This page covers tool holders for an extensive range of Mazak turning centres and mill-turn machines.

It includes the:

• QT Nexus series (100M, 150M, 200M, 200MS, 250M, 250MS, 300M, 350M, 400M, 450M)

• SQT series (10M, 15M, 15MS, 18M, 18MS, 200M, 200MS, 250M, 250MS, 28, 30, 300MY)

• Quick Turn 250 series, the Megaturn Nexus 900M, Slant Turn Nexus 550M, the Multiplex series (620, 6200, 6250, W200, 3 8200Y)

• Hyper Quadrex (200MSY, 250MSY)

• Universal (2000M, 3000M)

• Integrex series (E-420, IV 200ST, 300ST, 400ST).

If your Mazak model is not listed, contact us because we can source holders for most Mazak turning centres.

The turret interface is the mechanical connection between the tool holder and the machine's turret, and it is specific to the turret design fitted to each Mazak model:

• Star-Type turrets use a radial "star" arrangement of mounting stations around the turret face and are common on Mazak's VDI-based machines

• Disk-Type turrets use a disk face with mounting stations arranged around it

• Hybrid turrets combine a fixed-tool bay with a smaller number of driven stations.

The turret type determines which holders fit the machine, so it is essential to know your turret before ordering.

VDI (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure is from the German engineering standard) is the most widely used standard interface for driven tool holders on CNC turning-centre turrets.

A VDI holder has a cylindrical shank that slides into a matching bore on the turret station and is clamped in place with a radial serrated coupling (a "teeth" arrangement) that transmits the drive torque from the turret to the holder.

VDI holders are available in different shank sizes: VDI 30, VDI 40 and VDI 50 being the most common, referring to the shank diameter in millimetres.

The VDI size must match the turret station (a VDI 40 holder fits a VDI 40 turret, a VDI 50 fits a VDI 50 turret) so identifying your turret's VDI size is a key first step in holder selection.

The difference is the diameter of the VDI shank and the corresponding turret station bore.

VDI 40 has a 40 mm shank and is fitted to smaller and mid-range Mazak lathes (for example the QT Nexus 200M, 250M and the SQT 15M, 18M & 200M series).

VDI 50 has a 50 mm shank and is fitted to larger Mazak lathes with heavier turrets and more powerful drives (for example the QT Nexus 300M, 350M, 400M, 450M, the Megaturn Nexus 900M and the Slant Turn Nexus 550M).

The larger VDI 50 interface can transmit more torque and carry larger, more rigid tool-holding assemblies which is why it is fitted to bigger machines.

The VDI size is fixed by the machine, you cannot fit a VDI 50 holder in a VDI 40 turret or vice versa.

Bolt-on holders which are sometimes referred to by Mazak's BMT (Bolt-Mount Turret) designation and are static tool holders that bolt directly to the flat face of the turret rather than sliding into a VDI bore.

Bolt-on holders use a bolted face-mount with a dowel or serrated location for accuracy and are the more rigid alternative to VDI for static turning and boring operations. Because there is no cylindrical shank interface, bolt-on holders have a very rigid, repeatable connection to the turret and are favoured on newer Mazak machines and on machines designed for heavy turning.

Driven bolt-on holders are also available on certain BMT turrets. Bolt-on and VDI holders are not interchangeable because the turret is built for one or the other, so identifying whether your Mazak has a VDI or bolt-on turret is essential before ordering holders.

Static tooling holds a turning or boring tool in a fixed orientation (the tool does not rotate; the workpiece rotates against it).

Static operations include OD and ID turning, facing, grooving, parting & threading.

Driven (or "live") tooling carries a rotating cutting tool such as a drill, end mill, tap or reamer that is driven by the turret's power drive.

Driven operations include drilling, milling, tapping, cross-milling (Y-axis), axial milling and back-working, all performed on the part while it is held stationary in the spindle.

A machine fitted with driven tooling can complete a part in a single setup that would otherwise require a separate milling machine (the defining feature of a mill-turn centre).

Mazak machines designated with an "M" (e.g. QT Nexus 250M) have milling capability and driven tooling whereas those designated "MS" or "MY" add a Y-axis for off-centre milling.

Driven holders come in several orientations to suit different milling and drilling operations:

• Axial (or "Z-axis") driven holders drive the tool along the spindle axis and they're used for drilling, tapping and reaming along the centreline

• Radial (or "cross-axis") driven holders drive the tool perpendicular to the spindle axis and are used for cross-drilling, cross-milling and slotting on the face or diameter of the part

• Right-angle driven holders use a 90-degree gearbox to redirect the drive, used for off-centre and Y-axis milling

• Driven holders are also specified by the collet or adapter they carry (commonly ER collet holders for general-purpose drilling and milling, SYOZ and shrink-fit holders for precision milling & tapping holders for rigid tapping).

The correct driven holder depends on the operation, the tool and the machine's drive specification.

The most common collet system in Mazak driven holders is the ER collet which a widely used, versatile system available in ER16, ER20, ER25, ER32 and ER40 sizes, covering a wide range of tool shank diameters.

ER collets are the standard choice for general-purpose drilling, milling and tapping.

For higher-precision milling, SYOZ collets (a sealed, precision collet system used on certain driven holders) and shrink-fit holders are used where run-out must be minimised.

For boring operations, holders that accept boring bars or modular boring heads (such as the Kaiser or MicroBore systems) are available.

The collet size must match the tool shank and the holder's collet capacity, so selecting a driven holder means matching the collet system to the tools you intend to run.

The suffix letters on Mazak model names indicate the machine's capabilities.

• "M" denotes a machine with milling capability: it has driven tooling on the turret, allowing drilling, milling and tapping in addition to turning

• "MS" denotes a machine with milling and a second spindle (for example, a sub-spindle for back-working), allowing the part to be transferred and machined on the second end

• "MY" denotes a machine with milling and a Y-axis: the turret can move off the centreline in Y, allowing off-centre drilling, milling and slotting that a standard M machine cannot perform.

The designation matters because it determines which driven holders are useful.

A Y-axis machine benefits from right-angle and Y-capable driven holders, while a standard M machine is limited to axial and radial operations.

The Disk-Type 9-station turret is fitted to certain Integrex and Multiplex models: the Integrex E-420, Integrex IV 200ST, 300ST & 400ST and the Multiplex 3 8200Y.

These are larger, more capable multi-task machines with a disk-style turret that mounts a different style of tool holder than the VDI star-type turrets.

Disk-type holders bolt or locate to the disk face and are specific to that turret design (they are not interchangeable with VDI holders).

If your machine is one of these models, you require disk-type holders and the page lists the holders specifically approved for these machines.

If you are unsure whether your machine has a star-type, disk-type or hybrid turret, contact us with the model and serial number and we will confirm.

The Hybrid 6+3ST turret is a Mazak turret that combines 6 static (fixed) tool stations with 3 driven (live) tool stations using the D40 interface.

It is fitted to certain Integrex and Multiplex models including the Integrex E-420, Integrex IV 200ST, 300ST & 400ST and the Multiplex 3 8200Y (in their hybrid turret configuration).

The hybrid arrangement suits machines that do a mix of turning and milling with the static stations dedicated to turning and boring tools and the smaller number of driven stations reserved for the milling, drilling and tapping operations that require tool rotation.

Holders for the hybrid turret are specific to this arrangement and are listed on the page against the relevant machine models.

Selecting the correct holder requires knowing your exact Mazak model (for example, QT Nexus 250M), the turret type and interface (Star-Type 12ST or 16ST VDI 40, Star-Type 12ST VDI 50, Disk-Type 9ST, or Hybrid 6+3ST), whether the holder is for a static or driven operation, the operation type (turning, boring, drilling, milling, tapping, axial or radial), the collet or tool-shank size and the hand of the holder (right or left, for some operations).

The machine model determines the turret, the turret determines the interface, the interface determines the holder family and the operation determines the holder type within that family.

Our engineers can help you identify all of these and specify the correct holder.

Yes.

Our team includes time-served engineers who can help you select the correct static or driven tool holder for your Mazak turning centre or mill-turn machine, whether that's confirming your turret type and VDI size, choosing between axial, radial and right-angle driven holders, matching a collet system to your tools, or specifying holders for a Disk-Type or Hybrid turret on an Integrex or Multiplex.

We can advise on compatibility across the QT Nexus, SQT, Quick Turn, Multiplex, Hyper Quadrex, Megaturn & Integrex ranges.

You can reach us by phone, online chat or email with your machine model and the operation you need to perform, and we will be happy to help you specify the correct holder.