The evolution of the SPEEDIO BT30 holder and its comparison with the BT40

SPEEDIO compact machining centers are energy-efficient and space-saving (part of BROTHER's BLUE technology philosophy), but their compact size doesn't compromise rigidity or the ability to machine large, hard workpieces. In this blog post, we'll discuss the development and advantages of the SPEEDIO BT30. We've previously discussed the SPEEDIO line's capabilities in terms of spindle speed and power, which can reach up to 27,000 rpm (depending on the model) and up to 12.8 kW at 10,000 rpm. The SPEEDIO line uses BT size 30 toolholders (BT30), and it's with this standard that the speed, power, and precision objectives are achieved, even when compared to larger sizes of the same BT standard. First, we'll review the main toolholder standards on the market.

In high-speed and CNC machining, the most popular toolholders are typically BT, CAT, or HSK. While each offers certain advantages, their use is more closely related to the machine's origin, as all three designs are considered high-performance and, in principle, can offer the same quality for the vast majority of applications. With that said, we will now outline the origin, use, and advantages of each for reference.

	CAT Type / Origin: United States -  Also called 'V-taper' or 'Caterpillar,' this is the most popular standard in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It is usually measured in inches. These tapers are considered rigid and durable, making them suitable for high-strength cuts such as aerospace or high-rigidity components. However, they are also considered less stable at high speeds due to their asymmetrical flange.
	BT Type / Origin: Japan - This is one of the most common designs for Asian machines, and due to their popularity, one of the most common worldwide. BT tapers are measured in the metric system, making them popular in Europe as well. BT tapers are very common in the automotive, mold-making, and general machining industries. They are highly valued for their stability and precision in heavy-duty cuts, which is maintained even with ATC tool changes, in addition to their competitive pricing.
	HSK Type / Origin: Germany -  HSK is the German abbreviation for Hohl-Schaft-Kegel, or "hollow shank cone." It is a European standard for high-speed spindles. The main difference between HSK and CAT and BT spindles is that HSK uses a short hollow shank that allows for double contact, both on the face and the inside, ensuring rigidity and balance at speeds exceeding 20,000 RPM. Used in the aerospace and medical industries, they have the disadvantage of higher costs.

Key differences:

BT and CAT toolholders share the 7/24 taper design, but the BT flange is symmetrical and has metric threads, while the CAT uses standard inch threads and has an asymmetrical flange. These differences affect balance and can cause imbalance issues at high speeds, unlike HSK toolholders, which have a larger contact surface due to both external and internal clamping. That said, CAT and BT toolholders are more affordable, and for general machining, their performance is virtually identical.

The BT30 developed within the SPEEDIO series:

Since its launch in 2013, BROTHER's SPEEDIO line has been considered a robust, high-rigidity, and high-precision solution that has gained ground in aluminum machining industries as varied as automotive, biomedical, and electronics. A direct descendant of the "Tappin Center" line, SPEEDIO has become an excellent solution for machining small and medium-sized parts. The implementation of BT30 toolholders within the SPEEDIO line offers high productivity while maintaining a compact profile and allowing energy savings due to its lower weight and volume compared to BT40 toolholders, as well as more agile operation. The BT30 toolholders are also the reason why the SPEEDIO line allows for more compact structures, requiring less physical space for both the tooling and the components used to manufacture the equipment, as well as offering high torque and spindle speeds without sacrificing the necessary space or the quantity and variety of available tools.

While we cannot deny that the BT30 makes it more difficult to use larger tooling, increasing the cutting time for medium and large parts, this is not the target market for the SPEEDIO line. However, other advantages of the line keep it competitive, even compared to BT40 machines. Regarding rigidity, while it is true that the BT30 system is inherently less rigid than the HSK, BROTHER's technological development helps compensate for these differences with extremely rigid machine bodies, high-quality components, and meticulous attention to detail and dedication in the construction of the SPEEDIO line.

In any case, BROTHER takes these factors into account and offers the W1000Xd2 line for machining long parts with a 1000mm x-stroke, which is practically equivalent to similar BT40 machines. And for machining parts made of difficult materials, BROTHER has created the F600X1 line with a design that increases the spindle rigidity of the F600X1 line, ensuring quality in terms of structural rigidity.

In short, the SPEEDIO line allows you to tackle machining challenges typically handled by BT40 machines, but with a smaller investment and significantly lower energy consumption and physical footprint than competing machines, without sacrificing machining capacity.

We invite you to contact your YAMAZEN sales representative to learn more about the models and schedule a visit to see them firsthand, and even conduct the necessary tests to ensure that SPEEDIO machines are the solution for your machining requirements.