Compact, Efficient Pneumatic Workholding for CNC Lathes and Special Purpose Machines

Self-Contained Air Power Chucks, supplied by Pratt Burnerd International, offer a compact and maintenance-friendly alternative to traditional hydraulic chucking systems. Ideal for machines without built-in hydraulic infrastructure, these chucks are perfect for engine lathes, rotary tables, and special purpose applications requiring precision, flexibility, and a reduced footprint.

Precision Pneumatic Chucking – Without the Complications

With no external hydraulic cylinders or drawtubes required, self-contained air chucks use compressed air to generate high clamping forces. This simplifies installation, reduces running costs, and supports high-speed, repeatable machining operations across a wide range of components and materials.

Where Self-Contained Air Chucks Excel

These air-operated power chucks are ideal for:

• Lathes without hydraulic capability
• Sub-spindle and auxiliary spindle setups
• Test rigs, inspection stations, and special-purpose machinery
• Compact turning centres where space is limited
• Environments where oil-free workholding is preferred

Why Choose Self-Contained Air Chucks from PBI?

At PBI, we specialise in supplying high-performance workholding systems that enhance machine tool capability and productivity. Our self-contained air chucks are manufactured to precision standards by trusted partners, ensuring reliable performance in demanding applications.

We back every product with expert technical support and a customer-first approach that aligns with your production goals.

Key Features & Benefits

• Compact Self-Contained Design - Integrated pneumatic actuation eliminates the need for external hydraulic lines or components. This makes air chucks especially suitable for retrofitting onto existing machines or installing in environments with limited space at the rear of the spindle.
• Consistent Clamping Force - Capable of producing high, repeatable grip strength across a broad pressure range, ensuring workpiece stability during turning, milling, and indexing operations.
• Precision Machining Performance - Engineered to reduce runout and support consistent tolerances – ideal for applications requiring repeatable high-accuracy results.
• Low Maintenance and Easy Installation - No oil leakage, no hydraulic systems to maintain – just clean, efficient pneumatic operation with minimal servicing needs.
• Versatile Applications - Suitable for light- to medium-duty CNC turning, component testing, sub-spindles, rotary fixtures, and special purpose systems.
• Wide Range of Sizes Available - Available in multiple sizes and configurations to suit a variety of machine tool platforms and application requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a hydraulic system to run this air chuck?
A: No – these chucks are fully self-contained and operate using compressed air, with no need for hydraulic oil, pumps, or drawtubes.

Q: What machines are suitable for these chucks?
A: Ideal for CNC lathes, rotary tables, test rigs, and compact special-purpose machines without hydraulic capabilities.

Q: Can I use soft jaws with these chucks?
A: Yes – compatible with a wide range of jaw types, including soft, hard, and application-specific jaws.