Spindle Repair Services

Spindle repair services specialize in the repair and rebuilding of spindles, rotating components that are used to hold and drive cutting tools or work pieces on lathes, milling machines, and other machine tools. Common services include clean room assembly, component evaluation and replacement, dynamic testing, failure analysis, inspection and quality control, and vibration analysis. Typically, vibration analysis is performed by using hand-held or pre-positioned accelerometers on key measurement points Many companies perform dynamic balancing to restore spindle equilibrium about a central axis. Spindle repair services are located across the United States and around the world. Many meet International Standards Organization (ISO) requirements or specific automotive or OEM certifications.

Selecting spindle repair services requires an understanding of spindle technologies. Bearings provide clearance and permit rotary motion without physical contact, eliminating wear and friction and facilitating high speeds. Several types of bearings are available. Air bearings use a compressed air supply. By contrast, hydrodynamic bearings use a thick film of oil while hydrostatic bearings employ a positive pressure supply. Typically, spindles with hydrodynamic or hydrostatic bearings feature a high stiffness and long life. Spindles with magnetic bearings are also available. Some spindles mount in a block or cartridge-style housing. Others are bolted in place via flanges or feet. Spindles with an angled head are configured to allow right angle or adjustable tool rotation. Spindles that fit the heads of milling, drilling, or turning machines often include gearing to multiply the spindle speed. 

Spindle repair services often perform additional services. For example, computer aided design or drafting (CAD) is used to design products quickly and accurately. Computer aided manufacturing (CAM) is used to fabricate products directly from CAD outputs. Companies that provide design assistance can help with concepts, manufacturing costs, manufacturing techniques and material considerations such as sourcing. Some spindle repair services can rebuild machine tools or provide refurbished spindles. Others provide on-site support or warranty repaired products.  

Certifications and quality requirements for spindle repair services include ISO 9001, ISO 9002, and QS 9000. ISO 9001 establishes requirements for organizations whose business processes range from design and development to production, installation, and servicing. ISO 9002 establishes requirements for organizations whose business processes include production, installation, and service, but do not include design and development. QS 9000 is a quality standard for suppliers of DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation. QS 9000 is based on the 1994 edition of ISO 9001, but contains additional requirements that are particular to the automotive industry. Companies who are certified or qualified by original equipment manufacturers (OEM) to repair spindles to specified tolerance and conditions are also available. 

• Spindle Failures Happen: Will You Be Ready When Your Spindle Goes Down?
  Most spindle failures are not predictable and always seem to occur at the worst possible time. This article will review some of the things that can be done to keep spindles running longer, identify...
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