The Bridgeport Torq-Cut 22 is a smaller CNC vertical machining center. It comes fitted with a grease lubricated and belt driven spindle capable of running up to 7,500 rpm.
Read MoreVoumard VMX-120 Spindle Rebuild
The Voumard VMX120 spindle is oil mist lubricated, stator driven, and capable of an astonishing 120,000 rpm.
CHALLENGE
This Voumard VMX-120 spindle had catastrophic rear bearing failure. The rear bearing ball cage got extremely hot and melted to the rear bearing housing. We also noted that the rear housing was egg shaped, which may have caused the ball cage (white at the top of the picture) to not move freely. As the spindle heats up the shaft grows, and if the ball cage does not allow thermal expansion, the rear bearings become excessively preloaded and fail. Lastly, the shaft journals were all undersized and will need to be addressed.
SOLUTION
The following actions were performed on this Voumard VMX-120 spindle:
- Clean, inspect overall dimensions
- Replace bearings, o-rings, and assembly screws
- Grind, chrome plate, and finish grind (GPG) the front and rear journals
- GPG the rear housing ID and OD
- Manufacture a new ball cage
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.
DETAILED CAUSE OF FAILURE
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More Case Studies
Repair History - Here are examples of similar spindle repairs that may contain additional information that will help you. If you have additional questions, please contact us.
It’s a fact of machining — eventually, even top-of-the-line turning machines will experience a spindle failure. Spindles endure tension, torsion, heavy loads, and speeds up to and beyond 150,000 RPM, to name a few of the standard stressors.
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