What Is the Spindle Repair Process?

What Is the Spindle Repair Process?

The anatomy and functionality of a spindle is complex. And as such, it takes true expertise to understand, troubleshoot, and repair spindles correctly.

From the moment a spindle repair job hits the loading dock and repair line, a spindle repair company is entrusted with making the necessary adjustments and recommendations to ensure the spindle is returned in working order—and in some cases, in even better condition than before it ever showed sign of original malfunction.

However, though a spindle repair company may see thousands of repairs in any given year, each spindle repair job is different and must be treated carefully. Depending on the initial diagnosis, a repair may entail multiple processes and applications, such as dimensional work to a damaged shaft or a grind plate grind of damaged areas. But no matter the work, every spindle repair requires one or more spindle repair specialists dedicated to the fix.

But when you zoom in on such unparalleled precision, what does the spindle repair process really entail?

What to Expect When Working With a Spindle Repair Company

At Northland Tool & Electronics, we execute effective spindle repairs daily—and we want you to know how we do it. So, we’ve broken down our spindle repair process into these five easy-to-follow steps:

  1. Evaluation — This is one of the most important steps in the rebuilding process. Upon arrival, every spindle is logged into our production tracking software system. Any issues associated with the incoming condition of the spindle as related to transit are noted. The spindle is then prioritized and moved to either the disassembly technicians or to the spindle run-up room, depending on the circumstances. This critical first step involves our spindle repair technicians working to determine the cause of failure, which is essential to prescribe the necessary remedies to return your spindle back to action.
  1. Breakdown — This crucial next step involves spindle repair technicians carefully breaking down the spindle into its component parts while meticulously noting their general condition as well as specific damage to them. Our technicians also photograph the process and perform a full dimensional inspection to identify excessive wear, which may help identify the cause of failure.

The breakdown process is not complete until the disassembled spindle is given a second look by our production manager, who reviews and ultimately completes the evaluation mentioned above. The role of the production manager in this process is to further identify the mode of failure and all other pertinent issues, as well as come up with the recommended corrective actions. The production manager will work with the head of our in-house grinding and machining department to ensure 100% accuracy.

  1. Quoting Repair Costs — After a thorough evaluation and breakdown, our purchasing department sources all replacement part costs and lead times, a quote is generated, given one last final check, and is then communicated to the customer for approval. Once we have received the approval, production is scheduled and parts are ordered.
  1. Repair — Before anything happens, all of the spindle parts are carefully cleaned and any grinding or machining operations are completed. Only when all components are available does the spindle proceed to our spindle assembly technicians. These highly trained professionals assemble all the spindle components and then perform a rigorous break-in process, which may include dynamic balancing as well as thermal and vibration analysis depending on the type of spindle.
  1. Return— After a final quality control check is performed, the spindle is given back to our shipping department, carefully boxed to minimize the possibility of in-transit damage, and shipped back to you, our customer.

 

How Long Does a Spindle Repair Take?

The timing of a spindle repair job ultimately depends on the type and size of spindle sent in for repair. It’s also dependent upon the amount of damage and repairs needed. A quick turnaround for an emergency spindle repair job would be 24 hours, but the standard turnaround time for a straight repair is between 5-10 business days. In some unique cases, depending upon the need to make repairs or obtain new parts, a spindle repair job can take a few weeks.

And just because we’ve repaired your spindle and sent it back to you doesn’t mean you’ll no longer hear from us again. Along with a newly rebuilt spindle, Northland Tool & Electronics provides our customers with a warranty, as well as recommendations for additional steps they can take to prevent premature spindle failure in the future. We also offer a Spindle Support Program that features spindle care seminars, vibration analysis, lubrication system inspection, and evaluation, contamination prevention analysis, cause of failure tracking, spindle upgrades, and much more.

Contact us today to get a quote or to learn more about our unique spindle repair process.

Popular Posts
Newsletter Signup
Get the latest updates from our blog. Sign up now.

Privacy Policy