RE-MANUFACTURING PROCESS
At F.P. Miller Co., our expertise in Blanchard grinder repair and remanufacturing comes from our fine-tuned process that covers your grinder from top to bottom. Let’s take a quick walk through the process:
1 - Inspection & Disassembly
To get an idea of what we are working with, we will start by disassembling a grinder down to the base castings. Once that is done, every piece is cleaned and inspected for wear.
2 - Saddle and Gearbox Disassembly
Gearboxes are disassembled and inspected for wear. In this part of the process, all bearings and seals are replaced. Upon reassembly, the gearboxes are checked to ensure they operate smoothly and quietly. The saddle is removed and the mating wear surfaces are machined and/or scraped to ensure these surfaces will provide “as new” tolerances when grinding. If needed, way material (Moglice and Cast Iron Inserts) may be added. Finally, primer and paint is applied before reassembly.
3 - Magnetic Chuck Removal
In the next step of the process, the chuck is removed, turned over and the mating wear surfaces are scraped. As with the saddle and gearbox, way material (Turcite and Rulon) may be added to replace the material removed from these surfaces, again, to ensure correct alignment with adjoining surfaces. Primer and paint is applied before reassembly, as well.
4 - Vertical Column Spindle Removal
The vertical column and spindle drive motor are removed and completely disassembled to guarantee inspection of the entire spindle. The vertical column and the spindle housing mating wear surfaces are machined and/or scraped (as needed) to ensure these surfaces will also provide “as new” tolerances when grinding. As in previous steps, way material (Cast Iron Way material) may be added to replace the material removed from these surfaces to ensure correct alignment with adjoining surfaces.
5 - Spindle Drive Motor Disassembly
In the next step, we disassemble the spindle drive motor, clean all the components, and inspect for damage. As part of this process, we test, recoat and bake the motor windings. If we notice, however, that the windings are damaged or do not pass testing, we rewind the motor. Prior to reassembly, we replace the spindle bearings, then apply primer and paint.
6 - Machining the Base
At this juncture, we machine the base ways, then clean the base before applying primer. We begin the reassembly by attaching and aligning the vertical column. The horizontal and vertical way surfaces are reconditioned and primer is applied.
7 - Small Component Prep
Nearing completion, all small components are painted and prepared for reassembly. At this stage, coolant pumps, table and spindle feed motors are tested and, if necessary, replaced.
8 - Spindle Drive Installation
Finally, we mount the rebuilt spindle drive. We also fabricate and mount new guards on the grinder. We also install completely new wiring.
The Finished Product
A Blanchard Model 32-60 rotary Surface Grinder ready to grind parts.
