High-Performance Fadal Grease Pack Spindles from CNCPros

DRAWBAR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Our new Fadal Grease Pack Spindles are engineered for demanding CNC operations, featuring over 25 years of continually improved designs to deliver exceptional consistency, reliability, and precision. Built to seamlessly integrate into any Fadal machine that utilizes a grease pack spindle, each unit comes complete with a new drawbar.

Technical Specifications & Key Features

CNCPros Part Number: SPN-0336A

• Bearing Technology: We utilize US manufactured Barden bearings, rated for a range of 8,000 RPM (low end) to 12,000 RPM (high end). This robust bearing system allows our spindles to run continuously at a 100% duty cycle at 10,000 RPM, despite the 12,000 RPM marking on the housing. This proven design significantly reduces vibration and ensures a long, reliable operational life.
• Applications: Designed for use in 10,000 RPM machines with a locking drawbar and 7,500 RPM machines with a non-locking drawbar.
• Precision Engineering: Each spindle features a precision-ground and hardened shaft, housed in a polished casing with dual air ports.³ This meticulous construction contributes to a balanced, low-vibration profile and exceptional durability.
• Complete Kit: Every spindle includes a fitting/O-ring kit for a complete and reliable installation.

Support and Warranty

Our team of experts, with decades of Fadal engineering experience and direct collaboration with our spindle engineers, provides professional diagnostic and technical support to ensure your spindle is properly installed and maintained. While we honor a One-Year Limited Warranty on all CNCPros spindles, it's important to note that proper maintenance, including chilling with Dow Frost, is essential for a long operational life. We stand by our products and typically work with our customers on repairs in the rare case of premature failure due to misuse.

Fadal Spindle Troubleshooting Guide

When troubleshooting a Fadal spindle for vibration, noise, or heat, a systematic approach is essential to diagnose the problem correctly. The most likely causes are related to the bearings, lubrication, belt, or tooling.

1. Vibration and Noise

These symptoms often go hand-in-hand and can be caused by a variety of issues.

• Spindle Bearings: This is a common source of both noise and vibration. Listen for sounds like whining, growling, or screeching. Bearing noise can indicate insufficient lubrication, incorrect preload, or physical damage.
• Imbalanced Tooling: An unbalanced tool or toolholder can cause significant vibration, especially at high RPMs. This can also lead to chatter marks on the workpiece.
• Drive Belt: Inspect the spindle drive belt for wear, fraying, or damage. A worn or misaligned belt can cause noise and vibration. Also, check the encoder pulley and belt for wear.
• Loose Components: Check for loose or misaligned components, such as the spindle motor coupler or spindle components.

2.  Excessive Heat

A spindle that is overheating can be a sign of a more serious problem. The spindle temperature should not exceed 140° F (60° C).

• Bearing Preload: Incorrect bearing preload can cause excessive friction and heat. Too much preload can distort the races and cause the balls to skid, while too little can also cause the balls to skid and the cages to chatter, both of which generate heat.
• Drawbar Force: An incorrect drawbar force can also contribute to heat and tool-holding issues.

3.  Diagnostic Steps

1. Isolate the Source: First, determine if the noise and vibration are coming directly from the spindle or another part of the machine.
2. Check RPM and Load: Pay attention to whether the problem occurs at all RPMs or only at specific speeds. Monitor the spindle load meter for abnormal spikes.
3. Visual Inspection: Visually inspect the spindle drive belt, encoder belt, and pulleys for any signs of wear or damage.
4. Check Tooling: Test the spindle with and without a tool in the holder to rule out tool imbalance as the cause.
5. Test Drawbar: Check the drawbar retention force to ensure it is within the correct range.

If these basic checks do not resolve the issue, it may be necessary to pull the spindle and replace it.  Give us a call for a quote on a new one.  208-888-9236