In manufacturing, timing is everything. Each phase of production must work in concert with the one before and after to ensure schedules are kept and impending deadlines are met. While technological advancements continue to enhance production capabilities by streamlining processes, machine failures and production halts remain prevalent, jeopardizing manufacturing timetables and directly affecting the bottom line.
There’s no denying that unplanned downtime happens. According to a study by Aberdeen Research, nearly 82% of companies have experienced unexpected downtime in the last few years with some costs totaling $260,000 an hour. While there are some strategies in place to predict and prevent potential failures, how quickly you act to resolve the machine issue at hand could save you a significant amount of money and frustration.
If one of your machines has failed or you suspect it might fail soon due to spindle failure, the knowledgeable professionals at GTI Spindle Technology are trained to service spindles in a variety of industries so you can get production back up to speed as soon as possible.
Below are three of the most common types of spindle failures and what causes them.
1. Spindle Bearing Failure
Frequently a result of bearing contamination, bearing failure can lead to full spindle failure if not properly maintained and repaired. When the machine/spindle is shut down, allow the air supply to continue to run until the spindle cools. If the air is shutdown when the machine/spindle is down, the cooling of the spindle will suck any coolant and/or chips into the spindle like solder into a joint. Be sure to also wipe down the shaft face and front area of any coolant and/or chips. In addition, minimize the use of high pressure air guns to “blow off” chips and/or coolant and do not direct this air at the spindle as air guns surpass the positive pressure and will force contaminants into the spindle.
2. Spindle Taper Repair
Often a case of simple wear and tear, a damaged taper can cause complex machine issues. Typical signs of decline can be seen in straight marks on the taper indicating fretting. Because the taper is subjected to high speed conditions and regular tool changes, natural deterioration can lead to a multitude of larger issues affecting machining and should be resolved as soon as possible.
3. Drawbar Repair
Like most spindle faults, wear and tear is most commonly responsible for drawbar failures, alongside spring failures. Often indicated by tool chatter and eventual fretting, drawbar failures can also be linked to problems with actuators, dogs, gripper arms, and a host of other components, making it important to complete drawbar maintenance and/or repairs swiftly.
If you’re experiencing a production halt or suspect a spindle failure may occur, contact the knowledge professionals at GTI Spindle Technology to minimize your downtime and maximize your uptime. Because every second counts, count on GTI.
About GTI Spindle Technology
At GTI Spindle Technology, we specialize in high quality spindle diagnosis and repair. Getting your business back into full operation and minimizing downtime is our mission. We offer in-house, on-site, and emergency assistance for machine tool spindle failure analysis, spindle repair, and complete spindle testing. With an extensive range and expertise in a diverse group of industries, our customers know that they are getting the highest quality of spindle repair and customer service. Click here to find out more.
