Kellenburger Kel-vision URS125 Spindle Repair

The Kellenburger Kel-vision URS125 is an OD wheelhead spindle.  It is a hydrostatic spindle, belt driven, and capable of running up to 1,800 rpm.

CHALLENGE

This Kellenburger Kel-vision URS125 spindle was seized incoming.  After disassembling and evaluating the spindle, we noted that the shaft bearing journals and bronze oil bearings had severe rub out damage.  The oil supply lines from the inlet tube to the bearing supply tubes appeared to be missing.  There was a bad o-ring on the incoming oil line, allowing coolant to pass it and the oil fill cover where it contaminated the bearing oil.  We noted a broken o-ring on the wheel side bronze bearing housing, allowing coolant from the jacket to contaminate the bearing oil as well.  An unsealed oil fill cover on top of the casting allowed coolant splashover to penetrate the cover and contaminate the bearing oil even more. There also was a plate that had three threaded holes with nothing in them,  which again allowed coolant to go directly into the bearing oil.  Lastly, there was a broken sintered filter on the oil fill cover allowing coolant to contaminate the bearing oil even more!!!

SOLUTION

The following actions were performed on this Kellenburger Kel-vision URS125 spindle:

• Clean, inspect overall dimensions
• Grind, chrome plate, and finish grind the spindle shaft journals oversized
• Kiss grind the bronze bearing ID’s to remove rub out damage
• Kiss grind the taper
• Clean and purge contaminated oil from tank, lines, and pump
• Replace seals, o-rings, belts, sealed radial bearings, internal oil tubing, and bearing oil
• Plug and seal all possible coolant entry points to prevent future bearing oil contamination

RESULT

After reassembly of all components, adjusting bearing preload, and undergoing break-in and testing procedures, this spindle passed our final quality inspection before being returned to our customer with a 1-year warranty.