Wexmar provides custom spindle machining for machine builders, rotating equipment OEMs and repair buyers who need precision spindle shafts made to print. Our Canastota, New York shop produces CNC machined spindles on Mazak and Doosan lathes, including the Mazak Nexus 450-II for larger diameters, with milled features added on 4-axis horizontal machining centers. Small spindles and arbors up to 32 mm diameter run on our Maier Swiss-type machines.
What spindles do and who buys them
A spindle carries a tool, a workpiece or a rotating component on precision bearings. Journal size, roundness and coaxiality set bearing preload and runout at the nose, and the tool or chuck interface sets repeatability. Typical buyers include:
- Machine tool, grinder and special machine builders
- Pump, mixer and power transmission OEMs
- Instrumentation and test equipment makers needing small precision spindles and arbors
- Repair and rebuild shops replacing damaged spindle shafts
- Defense and government programs with build-to-print rotating parts
How our custom spindle machining works
Turning between centers and in chucks
Spindle shafts are rough turned, stress relieved where specified, and finish turned with the bearing journals, shoulders and nose features cut from common centers or a single chucking. This keeps the journals coaxial and the shoulders square to the axis. The Mazak Multiplex 6300Y and our Y-axis lathes finish both ends and mill flats and keyways in one cycle. See CNC turning.
Milled features
Keyways, drive slots, cross holes and bolt patterns on spindle noses are cut with live tooling or on our Mazak horizontal machining centers, located from the journal diameters.
Swiss spindles and arbors
Small instrument spindles, arbors and pivot shafts up to 32 mm diameter run on our Maier MLK-32 Swiss-type machines, where the guide bushing supports long, slender shafts. See Swiss machining.
Typical spindle materials
- 4140 and 4340 alloy steel, pre-hardened or heat treated after roughing
- 8620 and other carburizing steels for case-hardened journals
- 17-4 PH and 416 stainless for corrosion-resistant spindles
- Nitronic 50 and high-nickel alloys for pump and chemical service
- Aluminum and titanium for low-inertia spindles
Critical spindle features and how we hold them
- Bearing journals: finish turned or centerless ground to bearing fits such as k5 or j6, with roundness controlled.
- Journal coaxiality: all journals are finished from a common axis.
- Nose taper: Morse, R8, CAT, BT and custom tapers are turned and checked with taper gages.
- Bearing shoulders: faced square to the journal axis for correct bearing seating.
- Locknut threads: single-point cut and gaged, square to the journal.
Typical tolerances and finishes
| Feature | Typical tolerance | Tighter on request |
|---|---|---|
| Bearing journal diameter | +/-0.0003 in | +/-0.0002 in |
| Journal coaxiality | 0.0005 in | 0.0003 in |
| Shoulder perpendicularity | 0.0005 in | 0.0003 in |
| Nose taper runout | 0.0005 in TIR | 0.0003 in TIR |
| Locknut thread | Class 2A | Class 3A |
| Journal finish | 16 to 32 Ra | 8 Ra (ground) |
Values are typical and depend on shaft length, diameter and hardness. The quote confirms what we will hold on each journal and taper.
Design notes
Long, slender spindles benefit from center holes kept on the finished part, which allow re-inspection and rework. Specify the heat treat condition and whether journals are finished before or after hardening. Grinding reliefs at journal shoulders make both grinding and bearing seating more reliable. Where a spindle nose taper must match an existing tool, a gage or sample holder speeds up first article.
Secondary operations
Heat treat, stress relief, nitriding, chrome plating and black oxide are completed through qualified outside processors. OD grinding between centers on stepped or hardened journals, and dynamic balancing, are also arranged through qualified outside processors, while our centerless grinder handles plain diameters in-house.
Quantity patterns
Spindles are commonly ordered one to ten at a time for builds and repairs, with small production runs for OEM equipment. We retain programs for exact-match replacements. For repair work, send the damaged spindle drawing along with any bearing part numbers, and we will confirm journal fits and lead time before cutting metal. Related parts include collets.
Inspection
Journal size and form, coaxiality and taper runout are checked with micrometers, indicators between centers and our Brown and Sharpe CMMs. FAI in AS9102 format, CMM reports and material certs are available.
Getting a quote
Send the drawing, material, hardness and quantity. You can upload a drawing for an instant estimate, and an estimator will confirm price and lead time. Call (315) 400-2654 to discuss a spindle build or replacement.