3 Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Machine Spindles

Any machine that utilizes tool attachments must be outfitted with a spindle. The spindle is responsible for securing the tool during operation. Spindle life is something that manufacturers must monitor carefully to ensure maximum productivity.

A spindle that goes out of commission could put your entire production line in limbo. Take the time to maintain your spindles and you can extend their lifespan to avoid costly production interruptions in the future.

1. Conduct Routine Inspections

The easiest way to avoid a costly production delay due to a faulty spindle is to invest in routine inspections. These inspections can be conducted during off-hours or over holiday breaks.

Inspecting spindles at regular intervals will allow you to spot evidence of an impending failure before the failure occurs. You can replace the damaged spindle when it is most convenient for your manufacturing plant rather than having to alter production times to accommodate the repair process.

2. Train Machine Operators

Another simple thing that you can do to extend the life of the spindles that you utilize on your production machinery is ensure your operators are trained properly. A spindle is most vulnerable to damage during assembly and disassembly.

All machine operators should be proficient in swapping out tool attachments during production runs. Proper technique during tool change-outs will help prevent spindle damage and ensure that you get the most out of your custom machine spindles in the future.

3. Test Spindles Regularly

Most manufacturing companies maintain a supply of spare spindles to facilitate the repair process. Precision spindles that are stored for extended periods of time should be tested on a regular basis.

A high level of precision is required to preserve the integrity of your tooling. Surfaces gauges, height gauges, and vibration calibrators should all be utilized to maintain the accuracy of your spindles. The installation of an inaccurate spindle will result in uneven wear and premature failure.

Create a test schedule that will allow you to preserve the integrity of your spindle supply so that you can rely on these replacement parts when needed.

Caring for your custom machine spindles can be critical when it comes to keeping your manufacturing plant's productivity and profits high. Companies spend a significant amount of money on custom spindles to facilitate tooling during the manufacturing process. Inspections, education, and testing can help you protect your spindle investment by extending the life of each individual spindle. Contact a service, like hpt spindles & drives inc., for more help.