Care And Maintenance Of Custom Machine Spindles
Custom machine spindles are often unusual sizes, unusual lengths, and unusual thread gauges as they spin. While they are an incredible boon to any industry that needed something more from a standard machine spindle and could not get it, there is still a lot you need to know about a custom spindle. The following shows how you will need to care and maintain a custom spindle, which is not entirely similar to all other machine spindles.
Cleaning the Custom Spindle
Depending on what features make the spindle a custom spindle, you may have to clean it more often. For example, a machine spindle that turns a giant lathe may end up with a lot of metal or wood shavings all over it with each new spin. Your machine operator would have to clean and remove shavings after each piece is made, or every few minutes. An alternative solution is to request that your custom spindle be a self-cleaning one, and then the shavings that might otherwise collect on the spindle will be brushed away and removes.
Lubricating the Spindle
Spindles are massive screws. They will turn as fast or as slow as you want them to, but either way, they will still need to be well-lubricated. Between keeping them clean and keeping them lubed, there is a lot of work going on here. Just as you can request self-cleaning spindles, you can also request self-lubricating spindles, although the two may not be one and the same unless an engineer can design something that will work. Your best option, of course, is a self-cleaning custom spindle that lubricates itself using only water. You can still reduce friction with water, but water will not cause shavings to clump heavily like oil lubricants can (and will).
Watch for Wear and Tear
If your custom spindle is spinning all day, every day, for most of the year, it will begin to show signs of wear and tear. These sings of wear and tear include a softening and rounding of the thread edges and a looser connection to the connecting components. If and when your spindle is worn, it may not work quite as well as it should anymore. A repair technician can visit your factory to determine if the spindle can be repaired and restored, or if you will need a recast of the same custom spindle to replace the worn-out one you have. Visit a company like HPT spindles & drives inc. for more information.
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