Reaching Operational Efficiency Goals in the Manufacturing Industry

Custom Machine Spindles: Just What You Need

30 December 2019

Terrence Hayes

Every machine owner knows that the spindle is one of the main factors which will decide if you are going to have downtime or not. The spindle of a machine is basically the mount where you can insert whatever you need to be rotated at a high speed. For machines used to cut away material, most of the time a bit will be inserted in the spindle. A lathe will have wood inserted between two spindles. Buying a high-quality spindle allows you to ensure that your machines will avoid expensive downtime for years to come.

What should you do if your machine does not have a generically sized spindle? There are many manufacturers who offer custom machine spindles. This allows machine owners and operators the flexibility to create machinery that do not fit the normal mold, yet get the job done right. There are custom machine spindles available for all of the following:

Gear Driven Spindles

Gear-driven spindles are heavy duty and are perfect for big jobs where strength is necessary. These spindles work well for jobs that need low speed and a lot of torque. Boring through thick metals and other materials will likely require a gear-driven spindle. 

Motorized Spindles

Motorized spindles can come in both open and closed-loop designs, along with specialized ac or dc requirements. With such specifications, a custom machine spindle may be the best way to go about making the machine that you have designed and configured become a reality. Motorized spindles are capable of cutting incredible finishes on any project including a specialized honeycomb finish. 

Belt Driven Spindles

Belt driven spindles can come in different forms, including block and cartridge design. Block spindles allow geometric precision in the design of the machine, without forfeiting quality and power. Cartridge designs are wonderful for turning materials and can be purchased with permanent lubricant so that the machine will not need much maintenance. Belt driven spindles are arguably the most commonly available, though they may not be the most effective for every machine. 

In conclusion, the spindle of your machine is not a place to save money. Making the decision to scrimp on a spindle could put your whole operation in jeopardy, costing you money in production and repairs.  Instead of buying some cheap spindle and regretting it later, get a spindle made just for you, perfect for your machine and operation. You will be glad you did. Talk to a custom machine spindle maker near you for more information. 

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