Friday, June 21, 2013

Chuck Lubrication: What can go wrong if ignored?

What if you don’t lubricate as per schedule and don’t use the right lubricant?

 Improper lubrication results in;
  • Loss of Gripping Force
  • Component Slippage
  • Clogging, restricting lubricant flow and Jaw Stroke
  • Corrosion  

If the chuck is not lubricated regularly, the chuck body, wedge and the sliding parts will get corroded, resulting in high friction and loss of clamping force. The curve of the clamping force of a new lathe chuck, depending on the RPM, shows as a continuous curve. An improperly lubricated lathe chuck, shows a considerably reduced clamping force and shows as a dashed curve. This result in unsafe clamping of the work piece and the chances of falling out during machining is high. To avoid this, follow the lubrication and maintenance instruction provided in the chuck instruction manual. 

GMT recommends you to slide the master jaw through full stroke (clamping and de-clamping) to ensure uniform distribution of grease on sliding surfaces several times, without the component, after 500 jaw cycles. This helps to convey the lubricant to the sliding faces and maintain the clamping force longer.

For lubricating the lathe chucks, GMT recommends one of the following grease:
·         OKS  265            
·         ALTEMP  QNB50
·         MOLYKOTE  TP42

GMT chucks are equipped with several lubrication nipples for even application of grease. To ensure  even distribution of the grease inside the chuck, slide the master jaw through full stroke (clamping and de-clamping).

Remember, in extremely contaminated environment such as machining C.I work pieces a chuck can lose clamping force. In such cases, the complete chuck has to be disassembled, cleaned and lubricated. 

Chuck  with improper or no lubrication causes corrosion as shown in the photos below

                                                 CHUCK BODY                       BODY SLOT



                                                  WEDGE                                    BASE JAW

Write to us at esales@gmt.co.in for a free electronic copy of GMT Instruction Manual or visit our website www.gmt.co.in for more information
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7 comments:

  1. alapakkamJuly 9, 2013 at 11:45 PM

    Do you have a training video or can you conduct a demo session for maintenance personnel for the proper way to lubricate a chuck?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. webmasterAugust 17, 2013 at 10:21 PM

      GMT conducts Customer Education Programme on chuck lubrication and maintenance for CNC operators and supervisors. This training will help you to extend the life of your chucks. This Proactive Preventive Maintenance training also helps to prevent unscheduled stoppages, thereby saving money and time.

      To enroll in our free Customer Education Programme (subject to availability of training personnel) on chuck lubrication and maintenance write to us at esales@gmt.co.in with the following details:
      1. Details of your company with full address.
      2. Number of CNC machines in your factory.
      3. Existing chuck details like make, model etc.,
      4. Number of persons to be trained.
      5. Availability of hall and audiovisual equipment.

      Please note that venue has be arranged in your premises. The time and date to be arranged on mutual discussion.

      We are planning to upload video on chuck lubrication in this blog.

      Delete
  2. journeymanJuly 16, 2013 at 4:57 AM

    Do you repair old chucks?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. webmasterAugust 17, 2013 at 10:21 PM

      Yes, repair and recondition GMT make chucks only.
      Advantages of reconditioning your chuck/cylinder with GMT:
      Technology: GMT reconditioned chucks are factory refurbished by GMT, we do not sub contract reconditioning, which means we use the same machines and technology that we use to build new chucks, so you don’t have to sacrifice quality to save 40% and more on a new chuck.
      You have to send the chucks to our works at the following address:
      Guindy Machine Tools Limited
      214, Old no.196, Velachery Tambaram Main Road,
      Pallikkaranai, Chennai 600100
      Tamil Nadu, India
      Website: www.gmt.co.in

      Delete
  3. UnknownJuly 19, 2013 at 11:55 PM

    I have been using multi purpose grease available in the market for chuck lubrication, is it ok?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. webmasterJuly 20, 2013 at 12:10 AM

      No, that is not recommended for chuck lubrication because there will be a loss of gripping force and will Initiate corrosion. The low retaining capacity of solid lubricants (e.g. multipurpose grease) between the sliding surfaces and the absence of special additives make it unsuitable for lubricating chucks. GMT recommends the following special lubricating paste for chuck lubrication.
      Kluber Altemp – QNB – 50
      OKS 265
      Molykote TP – 42

      Delete
  4. webmasterJuly 20, 2013 at 12:14 AM

    Advantages of recommended lubricant for chucks:
    a)It delivers specified clamping force.
    b)Retention of lubricating paste between sliding surfaces comparatively high.
    c)Reduces stick slip movement
    d)Reduces corrosion causing due to frictional wear.

    ReplyDelete

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