LORD turning center balancing systems will improve surface finish and dimensional accuracy. Higher vibration-free spindle speeds provide reduced process cycle times. The balancer mounts between the machine spindle and chuck where it makes real time balance corrections on demand.
The Balancer
The electro-mechanical balancer consists of a balance ring, which mounts directly onto the spindle shaft. Inside the balance ring are two symmetrical counterweighted rotor assemblies which, when directed, move to create a net correction vector that will offset the measured unbalance. The counterweighted rotors are held in place using permanent magnets that are fixed to the rotors. These magnets create a holding torque, which prevents the rotors from slipping during normal operation, ramp-up, or coast down. When a balance correction is required, actuator coil power pulses are sent to magnetically step the rotors to the desired position in a few seconds.
Features of the Balancing System include:
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Balances the chuck and workpiece at turning speed in seconds
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Monitors vibration continuously and shuts down automatically when vibration is excessive
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Rugged construction withstands the harshest environments
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Balances at spindle speed up to 40,000 RPM
The Actuator Coil
The actuator coil typically mounts to the spindle housing. The actuator coil contains sensors for monitoring spindle RPM as well as the angular location of each counterweighted rotor. With no moving parts, the actuator coil pulses power to the balancer assembly thus moving the counterweighted rotors to the desired counter-balance position.
The Controller
The controller continuously monitors vibration levels. When a change occurs which exceed a preset level, the controller determines the optimum balance correction required. Depending upon the mode of operation selected the controller will send an advisory message to the operator and the machines PLC (via either PLC I/O or an RS232 serial port) either of which can instruct the balancer to make an automatic balance correction.
The Software
The full-featured graphical user interface software provides the ability to view real-time amplitude and phase information in both numerical and graphical formats. Additionally the software provides th ability to view the balance correction vector, which provides valuable information regarding the available correction capacity.
The ability to remotely access the software via Ethernet and configure the balancer while initiating the balance correction, is a popular feature of this software package.