White Paper: Air Gaging - Three Solutions

 

Here are 3 solutions that Advanced Machine and Engineering Company offer to solve these problems.

 

OTT Jakob Power Check Drawbar Pull Force:

Drawbar force gauges allow early detection of problems with a spindle's Belleville spring stack, verification of performance of the clamping system as a whole, help prevent damage to spindle taper and other machine features critical to machining accuracy, and ultimately help to keep the machine operator safe.

Drawbar force measurement has been made much more important in recent years with the introduction of radically higher RPM machines. These machines are necessary to work the modern materials required in a multitude of applications – new types of composite wood material, carbon fiber, and high strength materials such as titanium. High speed machining of these materials begins at 10,000 rpm and may reach as high as 50,000 rpm. The need for regular verification of the spindle clamping system becomes obvious.

Any metal or wood working machine that takes advantage of the HSK taper system should be routinely checked. The slightest stroke mis-adjustment, dirt, or slight wear of the drawbar system can result in significantly reduced holding force. A preventative maintenance schedule, with a strict timetable for testing is a necessity when operating any type of high speed machine utilizing the HSK system.

Drawbar force gauges are able to detect broken or weakening components of the drawbar clamping system, can give indications that the unit needs lubrication, detect gripper mis-adjustment, or demonstrate that the incorrect retention knob is being used for the machine. With a highly accurate electronic gauge, all of these deficiencies can be noted and corrected. Many hours of expensive machine operating time can be put to use while avoiding fretting, chatter, "stuck" tool holders in a spindle, etc., by employing proper preventative maintenance techniques using an accurate electronic gauge and other spindle health management tools.

Advanced Machine and Engineering sells the OTT Jakob Powercheck pull force gage.

Stotz Air Gaging:

Stotz air gaging is used to measure the ID taper of the spindle shaft as well as the OD taper of the tool holder shank.  Gages are available for most tapers including HSK, CAT, Morse, and KM.   The Stotz Air Gaging system utilizes 2 pneumatic channels when measuring HSK and KM tapers and 3 pneumatic channels for 7/24 (CAT) and Morse tapers.  There are several things that can be wrong on the taper that will cause many different problems.  If the angle is incorrect the tool will either seat on the small part of the taper causing the tool to stick or will have a gap and cause the tool to vibrate in the spindle causing fretting, chatter, and/or trouble holding tolerance.  If the spindle or the tool is over or undersized, the result will be reduced drawbar pull force and the tool will move during contact with the workpiece.  The Stotz system makes this check very quick and simple. The results can be printed, saved on a USB stick, or the data can be written directly to a file server.

IPad Vibration Analysis:


All rotating equipment vibrates, but as components begin to fail or reach the end of their serviceable life, they begin to vibrate more and in unique ways. Ongoing monitoring of equipment allows technicians to identify these indicators of wear and future damage well before the damage becomes total failure.

 When technicians use condition monitoring correctly, it can result in significant cost savings compared to traditional maintenance approaches. Vibration monitoring and analysis allow technicians to detect problems and make the repair-or-replace decision before complete failure for such key components as:

• bearings
• machine or component unbalances
• misalignments
• gears
• electrical issues
• bent shafts
• loose fasteners, bolts, and mounts

Advanced Machine and Engineering sells an iPad Vibration Analyzer that includes SpindleScope software.  It is a very cost effective system that is extremely easy to use.

We sell all of these types of equipment as well as perform drawbar repair and spindle shaft regrinding. We have a very experienced staff to help you with all of your requirements. 

Contact us today to discuss your application at 815-962-6076.