SMT12 Compact Scratch Marking Tool

Overview

Compact Scratch Marking — Same Principle, Smaller Package

SMT12 is a compact scratch marking tool with a Ø12 mm shank, designed for small CNC machines, compact tool magazines, and special applications where the standard SMT20 (Ø20 mm) does not fit. The marking principle is identical: a spring-loaded carbide needle scratches a fine, continuous line into the workpiece surface — clean, subtle, and permanent.

Like its larger counterpart, SMT12 requires no air supply, no coolant, and no machine modification. Mount it in the tool magazine, write the programme, and start marking. Built-in 3 mm distance compensation handles minor surface variations automatically.

At only 66 mm total length, SMT12 is the most compact marking tool in the AKS Teknik range — ideal for machines with limited Z-axis clearance, small turrets, or applications requiring a short tool assembly.

Product Photos

SMT12 Up Close

‹ ›

Advantages

Key Advantages

• Ultra-compact design — Ø12 mm shank, 66 mm total length; fits small CNC machines, compact turrets, and tight tool magazines where larger tools cannot reach
• No air, no coolant, no energy source — purely mechanical spring-driven marking; no machine modifications, no additional installations
• 3 mm distance compensation — built-in spring mechanism absorbs surface height variations; consistent marking on slightly curved and uneven surfaces
• Fine, subtle marking — continuous scratch line with minimal surface stress; ideal for polished surfaces and thin-walled components
• Marks up to 60–62 HRC — carbide needle (90° tip, 0.3 mm radius) marks all machinable metals including hardened steel, stainless steel, and aluminium
• Steplessly adjustable pressure — rear setscrew allows fine-tuning of spring load; plus 1–2 mm infeed pre-tension for reliable contact
• Simple needle replacement — unscrew headpiece, swap needle, reassemble; no special tools needed
• All CNC systems compatible — works with Siemens, Heidenhain, Fanuc, and all other CNC controls

Specifications

Technical Specifications

How to Use

Setup and Operating Instructions

1. 01

   Install in CNC machine

   Mount SMT12 in a collet-type tool holder (Ø12 mm cylindrical shank) and place it in the automatic tool change magazine. No air or coolant connections are needed — the tool is ready to use immediately.

2. 02

   Set the marking pressure

   Adjust the rear setscrew to set the desired spring pressure. Higher pressure produces a deeper, more visible scratch; lower pressure produces a finer line.

3. 03

   Position the tool on the workpiece

   Move the tool down until the needle touches the workpiece surface, then advance 1–2 mm further to create pre-tension. The built-in 3 mm distance compensation absorbs surface variations automatically.

4. 04

   Run the marking programme

   Execute the marking programme at F2000 mm/min feed rate with the spindle stopped (0 rpm). The CNC machine axes move the tool across the workpiece surface while the spring-loaded needle scratches the marking contour.

5. 05

   Run production

   With the marking position and pressure set, SMT12 marks each workpiece automatically as part of the CNC programme. No consumables, no maintenance — every part leaves the machine already marked.

Applications

Where SMT12 Excels

• Small CNC machines — compact tool magazines with limited space; machines with small turrets or restricted Z-axis clearance
• Special applications — marking in confined spaces, narrow bores, or areas inaccessible to larger tools
• Swiss-type lathes — small gang tooling and sliding headstock lathes with Ø12 tool stations
• Thin-walled and polished components — fine scratch marking with minimal surface stress

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between SMT12 and SMT20?

SMT12 and SMT20 use the same scratch marking principle — a spring-loaded carbide needle scratches the workpiece surface under controlled pressure. The difference is size: SMT12 has a Ø12 mm shank (66 mm total length) compared to SMT20's Ø20 mm shank (102.5 mm). SMT12 is designed for small CNC machines, compact tool magazines, and special applications where the larger SMT20 does not fit. Both tools mark materials up to 60–62 HRC and require no air or coolant supply.

What materials can SMT12 mark?

SMT12 marks all machinable metals with surface hardness up to approximately 60–62 HRC — including steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminium, brass, copper, and titanium. The carbide needle (90° tip, 0.3 mm radius) creates a fine scratch line under spring pressure. Marking depth is approximately 0.1 mm and varies depending on material hardness and the spring pressure setting.

Does SMT12 require air or coolant supply?

No. SMT12 is a purely mechanical tool — the marking needle is driven by an internal spring. No air lines, no coolant connections, no solenoid valves, no machine modification required. Mount the tool in the magazine and start marking.

What is the distance compensation on SMT12?

SMT12 has 3 mm built-in distance compensation. The internal spring mechanism absorbs surface height variations up to 3 mm — allowing consistent marking on slightly curved, uneven, or rough surfaces without Z-axis adjustment in the CNC programme.

How is the marking pressure adjusted on SMT12?

Marking pressure is adjusted via a rear setscrew — the adjustment is stepless, allowing fine-tuning for different materials and marking depths. The tool is positioned with 1–2 mm extra infeed beyond surface contact to create pre-tension for reliable needle contact.

How is the needle replaced on SMT12?

Needle replacement on SMT12 is simple: unscrew the headpiece, remove the worn needle, insert a new one, and screw the headpiece back on. No special tools required.

Downloads

Documentation

Related Products

Other Marking Tools