Draw-bar tension, check it?

[omy005]

G'day all, Does anybody out there check the draw-bar tension periodically? If so what type of gauge do you use? We have a preventative maintenance program via our HFO and they don't check it as part of this service.

We broke two $600 solid carbide form cutters this week before we found out that some of the spring discs for the draw-bar had broken and allowed the tool arbor to pull out of the spindle when under a lot of radial load. It is a seven year old VF2 machine.

HFO tech came out and diagnosed the problem quickly and had us up and running again in a couple of hour with a new draw bar assembly.

Andrew.

[mc-motorsports]

http://www.ame.com/line.cfm?id=spin-service-powerch

That is what I used to use. Probably cheap insurance when your breaking $600 cutters, but still not an inexpensive tool.

[JoBwan]

Originally Posted by omy005 G'day all, Does anybody out there check the draw-bar tension periodically? If so what type of gauge do you use? We have a preventative maintenance program via our HFO and they don't check it as part of this service. Andrew.

omy,
Google "clamprite". Cost is @ $750.00 and it has an adaptor for CAT40 and CAT 50 tapered spindles. Drawbar should have 950 to 1200 lbs of tension. Anything less than 950, you are asking for problems to arise. Hope this helps.