Many industrial machines have a spindle, which they rely on heavily in order to do their jobs correctly. If you have machinery with a spindle, it is very important that you properly maintain and care for the spindle. Not doing so can cause you production problems. Plus, spindles can be costly to replace, so it's best to avoid full replacements, for as long as possible. The key is to properly maintain your spindle to avoid serious problems and to make it easier to repair issues quickly.
Look Out for Bellmouthing
While you should regularly be looking over your entire spindle and checking for wear, be particularly vigilant about inspecting the mouth area. Excessive wear at the mouth of the spindle is known as Belmouthing and can cause serious and permanent damage to your spindle, if you continue to operate it. If you notice that the mouth area looks worn down, go ahead and have a professional take a look and suggest any necessary repairs, before you continue operating your spindle.
Remove All Chips
At the end of each working day, check your work area thoroughly for any remaining chips and throw them away. If a chip is left floating in coolant, on the taper, or anywhere else where it can make its way to your spindle, it's a risk. Leftover chips can interfere with proper spindle operation, increase cutter runoff, and reduce your spindle's efficiency. For these reasons, never allow chips to remain near your spindle.
Lubricate
All spindles require regular lubrication, in order to work correctly. Read through your manufacturer's instructions or consult a professional to determine how often you should be lubricating your spindle and the type of lubricant you should be using. Always opt for a high quality lubricant, since it will last longer and do a more thorough job. Once you're set up on a regular lubrication schedule, stick to it. Forgetting to lubricate when you should can cause excessive wear and tear on your spindle and can even cause it to break during operation.
If you follow these tips, there's a good chance that your spindle will last for a lot longer than it otherwise would. However, no spindle lasts forever, even with the best care. So, when the time does come to replace or repair your spindle, find a qualified spindle repair company to get the job done right. For more information, contact a company like HS Spindles, LLC.
