Function

• A machine collet clamps onto, or holds, an object by forming a collar around that object. The machine collet, when tightened, exerts a clamping force on the object through the outer collar.
  
  

Design

• A machine collet consists of a sleeve comprised of an inner cylindrical surface with a conical-shaped, outer surface. A spring collet contains cuts along its length, enabling contraction and expansion, and can exert pressure around a matching taper until its inner surface contracts in diameter. This enables the collet to secure and hold the object or workpiece.
  
  

Materials

• High grade tool steel, or carbon and alloy steel with a carbon content between .7 percent and 1.5 percent, typically makes up standard machine collet sleeves. Spring machine collets are typically comprised of spring steel, a low alloy, medium carbon steel with a high yield point or yield strength.