Do you know that most spindles offered by CNC Machine Tool OEMs for exchange are not new spindles?

It is a fact that they are not. They are someone else’s rebuilt spindle that another end user broke and sent in for repair. Often OEMs are up front with this fact. Sometimes it would appear they are blatantly misleading based on the confusion or misinformed information we hear from end users all over North America.

Broken spindles that are remanufactured correctly have all new components that are critical to function, performance and life of the spindle. Also, if critical surfaces such as spindle tapers, shaft bearing journals, housing bores or motor windings need rework a unit that is shipped in for a “spindle repair” is typically better than a “new spindle” if the spindle rebuilder knows how to properly remanufacture a spindle for optimal performance. Examples of this are a process to spindle tapers and bearing jounrals using “GPG”.  GPG is a common phrase used in the spindle repair world that stands for Grind Plate Grind. This is process by which a spindle shaft is uncut often referred to as a “green grind” to remove high spots on the ID/OD of the spindle shaft and remove additional material to prep the surface for Hard Chrome. The spindle surface is then send out for Hard Chroming as nearly everyone in the spindle business does not perform the chroming process internally due to EPA restrictions. After the hard chroming process is completed the spindle shaft is then ready for a finish grind. Serious spindle repair companies have their own in house spindle grinding machine tools for speed, accurate and control of this entire process.

Hard Chroming surfaces are much more wear resistant than original materials used when manufacturing new spindle shafts so these remanufactured spindles last much longer. These surfaces have a significantly harder rockwell rating and do not damage tool holders or spindle bearings. The such but different upgrades can be done with spindle motors are contaminated or burn up for various reasons. Upgrades to these OEM spindles can be done quickly and economically that extend spindle life that are cost efficient and performed in hours or days.

When you have a down machine think about these following factors:

• WHY DID MY SPINDLE FAIL?
• HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE MY SPINDLES REBUILT?
• SHOULD I “EAT THE CORE”? WHAT IS “EATING THE CORE”?
• IS THE OEM REALLY MY BEST OPTION or HAVE I NOT FOUND A REAL SPINDLE EXPERT YET?

Consider these factors and reach out to the spindle repair experts for free advice.