Bad Parts? Treat the Cause, Not the Symptoms
03.12.2015
Mitchell Kirby of Riten Industries recently penned an article for Cutting Tool Engineering magazine that provides detailed insights about solving the dilemma of producing bad parts. His article “Bad Parts? Check the Tailstock” describes some of the “quick fixes” and “more involved fixes”, both of which make the problem go away initially, but it reoccurs a short time later. Kirby makes the case that these measures are treating the symptoms, not the root causes of rejected parts. Following are a few highlights from his article.
Rigidity
Rigidity is defined as a machine’s ability to hold a workpiece solidly on center. A lack of rigidity is by far the most common – and the most overlooked – cause of bad parts. Several machine components either contact the workpiece directly or affect the accuracy (concentricity) of its rotation.
Root Cause
The headstock, with its large size and heavy bearings, is not typically the root cause. The tailstock, however, is usually smaller and therefore the more likely source of trouble. Specifically, wear and tear on critical components of the tailstock can be the root cause of poor rigidity.
The remainder of the article discusses Riten’s inspection and rebuilding processes. It’s a very enlightening read.
About Riten Industries
Riten is the world’s largest manufacturer of Live and Dead Centers and Face Drivers. These products are their only business. In business since 1933, the company has deep experience and engineering resources. They offer the industry’s broadest line of standard products, and can also design custom specials to meet a customer’s unique needs. www.riten.com
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