When spindles are received, they are removed from their containers and checked for damage that may have occurred during shipping. If damaged, we will take pictures and notify the customer and carrier. We will then identify the spindle by manufacturer, model, serial number, and service speed.
Other items that will need to be checked such as coolant fittings, electrical connectors, cooling fans, actuators, and any other spindle option that might require additional time to acquire in a replacement situation. Once all of the following checks have been made, TDM USA will enter the spindle into our repair system by logging it in, assigning a repair number, which will then create a file that will remain with the spindle while in our facility. All files are archived for any future reference.
There are many different models, makes, and types of spindles. So when disassembling and determining the cause of failure, it is important for every detail to be recorded. Such as, was there a lack of lubrication? Was there a motor failure? Were the spindle bearings improperly preloaded causing bearing failure?
Even the actual disassembly process is one that must be performed with little margin of error. Hydraulic rotors, spacers, and locking nuts must be removed with the proper tools in order to maintain secure fits for reassembly and as to not damage the parts causing rework or possible replacement of the parts.
Larger spindles may require large amounts of pressure to disassemble. Numerous amounts of tools may be used in the process to disassemble spindles correctly causing little or no damage to internal and external parts, and TDM USA INC. has the tools that are required. When disassembly is complete, motors are tested to be in perfect working order; the parts are then pre-cleaned to remove any surface imperfection that might cause any type of deviance when inspecting the critical sizes.
When parts are inspected, it is necessary to maintain an ambient temperature in the room and of the parts so the highly sensitive tolerances are accurate to within .002 microns or .00008 inches. Shafts are inspected for correct O.D. sizes, run out, and straightness.
Bearing housing I.D. sizes are inspected for correct tolerances and concentricity. Shaft O.D. and I.D pilots, tapers, and faces are also inspected as well as the shoulders where the bearings will sit. It is even necessary to check the O.D. where the pulley or encoder may sit.
TDM USA INC. is equipped with a cost-effective style machine shop to accommodate many in house machine applications, retrofits, remanufacturing of old and replacement parts to help lower any added costs to our customers.
TDM USA INC. is also equipped with grinding capabilities so that we can provide our customers with more competitive pricing on their repairs and offer less outsourcing, leading to faster turnaround times.
Imbalance is a condition when a rotating part's mass does not lie at the center of rotation. This causes a force (vibration) at the frequency of rotation. If the vibration is significant, it can shorten the life of the bearings and damage other parts of the spindle.
Imbalance can be corrected, weight can be attached in various ways, or material can be removed by grinding or drilling. This moves the center of mass back to the center of rotation. This process will improve spindle performance and add to the longevity of the spindle bearings.
TDM USA INC. has always been a quality concerned shop when reassembling spindles. We use the best bearings and lubrication for that spindle. We have extensive bearing resources in order to accommodate any need for just about any application.
Parts are laid out, bearings are greased or oiled, part dimensions are double checked for proper sizes for preloading and gaps that are important for correct assembly. Spindles that have motors will then be reinstalled. If there are any tool change systems, they are reassembled and reinstalled, also, sensors and proximity switches are adjusted to their correct position.
Upon completion of assembly, the spindle will be prepared for testing; the spindle will be mounted in one of our many test fixtures that are cleverly designed to duplicate the natural position of the spindle, be it vertical or horizontal. Depending on lubrication required by the spindle, a prelube of twenty minutes will then be initiated to ensure correct lubrication of all bearings in the spindle.
Temperature is also monitored to ensure optimal bearing longevity. Once the spindle has reached its maximum speed, vibration, acceleration, and bearing readings are then recorded, printed out, and included with the finished spindle upon return to the customer.
Tool clamping force is also checked in addition to any type of sensors, proximity switches, protective overload sensors, and any other options to make sure your spindle is returned to you in OEM or better condition.
When TDM USA finishes a repair, it is important that it is properly packed to ensure that our quality repaired spindle is returned to the customer in a secure manner. All spindles over 60 pounds, if not originally shipped with a wooden crate, will be provided with a custom crate that will allow the spindle to arrive back to its customer safely.
TDM USA ships all over the North American continent from Mexico to Canada. The shipping companies that we use offer transit times and prices that are competitive and reliable. If our customers have a logistics company that handles their shipping, then we are more than willing to work with them, in order to return the repaired spindle in a timely fashion.
