Today's
Sponsors:


BetterVacuumcups.com

Biesse America

Biewer Lumber

Binks

Black Bros. Co.

Blackhawk Machinery

Briquetting Solutions by Sunomi LLC

Brown Wood Products Co.

Business Management Solutions

Byrd Tool

C.R. Onsrud

Cab Parts

Cabinet Door Service Co.

Cabinet Pro

CabinetCRUNCHER Cutlist & 3D Cabinet Design Software

Cabinetmakers Association

CADCABINETS.COM

CADCode

Cag Lumber

Cantek America

Carolina Woodworking Consultants

Carter Products

Carving Technologies

Castle

Catskill Timber Industries

Charles G.G. Schmidt Co.

Chicago Dowel Company, Inc.

Clear Lake Lumber

CNC Parts Dept.

1-800-Cabinets.com

2Sand.com

3M Corporation

A O M Spray Equipment

Abrasive Resource

Accu-Router, Inc.

AceCo Precision Wood Tooling

Activa

Air Handling Systems

Alan McIlvain Company

Algoma Lumber Co.

All Star Adhesives

Alliance Millsoft

Allied Machinery Inc.

AllRout

Amana Tool

Ameitech South

American Fabric Filter Co.

American Institute of Building Design

American National Woodworking Knife

American Rotary Converters

Andreou Machinery

ANEST IWATA USA, Inc.

Antique Beams and Boards

Antique Building Materials

Anver Corporation

Apollo Sprayers Inc.

Arbor Processing Inc.

Architectural Elements

ArtCam

ATEMAG

Atlantic Machinery Corp.

Auton Motorized Systems

AWFS

B.H. Davis Company

Bailey's Inc.

Baker Products

Banks Hardwoods

Barn Detail

Barn Door Lumber

BC Wood Specialties Group

BeamsRUS

Beaver Tools

Benz Incorporated

Best Cabinets




CNC Spindle Alignment, Shims, and Vibration       A CNC owner asks whether there are drawbacks to using too many shims behind his spindle. August 3, 2009

Question
I operate a CNC machine that has multiple shims behind the main spindle. Has anyone else corrected spindle alignment using shims without runout and vibration? How many shims are acceptable before causing damage to the spindle bearings? Has anyone rebuilt the air cylinder product alignment pins?

Forum Responses
(CNC Forum)
From contributor M:
The number of shims shouldn't matter as long as the spindle connection is tight. The shims are just used to align the spindle perpendicular to the table. It’s pretty unlikely without at least one shim. If you are not sure how to tram the spindle, call the manufacturer. It really isn't that hard once you have done it once or twice.



From the original questioner:
My main concern is the evidence of vibration in terms of runout. We would benefit from less runout with savings in tooling. We have repeatedly corrected the spindle alignment to the table, but mainly due to operator error (hitting alignment pins) and time, the shims are working loose. One or two shims are acceptable; however we have three or four.


From contributor M:
My initial thought would be the spindle is the source of the runout, not the attachment to the slide.


From contributor R:
I would agree that too many shims are a bad thing but I'm not sure how thick your shims are. I've see manufacturers put three or four shims behind their spindles. You might measure the thickness of the four and put one thicker shim in. If your router has a tool changer you need to make certain that it is still properly aligned for tool changes. The shims are used to make certain you have a perpendicular cut on the side of the board to the top of the board. They should not be used to space the spindle in order to get the proper dimensions with your cut. If the location of your cut is off you would need to change the parameter that relates to the location of the spindle or the parameter that gives you your zero point on the table depending on which one is really the problem. I do agree with contributor M that runout will be the result of the spindle bearings not the number of shims behind the spindle.



Would you like to add information to this article?
Interested in writing or submitting an article?
Have a question about this article?


Have you reviewed the related Knowledge Base areas below?
  • KnowledgeBase: Knowledge Base

  • KnowledgeBase: Computerization

  • KnowledgeBase: Computerization: CNC Machinery and Techniques




    Would you like to add information to this article? ... Click Here

    If you have a question regarding a Knowledge Base article, your best chance at uncovering an answer is to search the entire Knowledge Base for related articles or to post your question at the appropriate WOODWEB Forum. Before posting your message, be sure to
    review our Forum Guidelines.

    Questions entered in the Knowledge Base Article comment form will not generate responses! A list of WOODWEB Forums can be found at WOODWEB's Site Map.

    When you post your question at the Forum, be sure to include references to the Knowledge Base article that inspired your question. The more information you provide with your question, the better your chances are of receiving responses.

    Return to beginning of article.



    Refer a Friend || Read This Important Information || Site Map || Privacy Policy || Site User Agreement

    Letters, questions or comments? E-Mail us and let us know what you think. Be sure to review our Frequently Asked Questions page.

    Contact us to discuss advertising or to report problems with this site.

    To report a problem, send an e-mail to our Webmaster

    Copyright © 1996-2009 - WOODWEB ® Inc.
    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without permission of the Editor.
    Review WOODWEB's Copyright Policy.

    The editors, writers, and staff at WOODWEB try to promote safe practices. What is safe for one woodworker under certain conditions may not be safe for others in different circumstances. Readers should undertake the use of materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk.

    WOODWEB, Inc.
    RR4 Box 265A
    Montrose, PA 18801

    Contact WOODWEB













  •   Home » Knowledge Base » Knowledge Base Article