Figure 1 initially produced only 2 parts on this drive, but now it's up to 85. The first two parts required a material with a maximum diameter of 100mm (4in) and a minimum of 50mm (2in). However, the new part has seen a 4x increase in production speed after implementing a special smaller pin. This improvement not only boosts efficiency but also reduces overall manufacturing time significantly.
Figure 2 This shafted part is fixed using Neidlein’s super live top RNW. The hydraulic drive center pin applies a force equivalent to 2500kg (5500 lb) at the bed tail tip, driving the support member at the end face. This setup ensures precise alignment and stability during high-speed operations, making it ideal for complex machining tasks.
Figure 3 (Left) Most Neidlein face drives are designed to handle three times the diameter of the drive pin ring. (Right) On the left side is the D-4 type, while the other is the D-6 type. Tips can be interchanged, allowing the production of up to 150 different parts by simply changing the center pin. This flexibility makes face drives highly adaptable for various applications.
One of the key advantages of face drives is that components can complete full rotation in a single operation. LMCWorkholding highlights that this technology is widely used in automotive transmission components, crankshafts, camshafts, pinions, electric motor shafts, and even axles up to 914mm (36in) in diameter. This versatility makes it a valuable tool in precision machining environments.
Recently, a gear manufacturer in Wisconsin found that using LMCWorkholding’s Neidlein face drive equipment effectively addressed TIR (Total Indicator Reading) issues for rotating parts. By applying these end-face drives, UnitedGear&Assembly was able to meet customer demands for lower cuts and reduce conversion times significantly. In many cases, the time saved went from 2 hours down to just 15 minutes, which has had a major impact on their productivity.
United Gear & Assembly specializes in manufacturing gears and related power transmission components, primarily for road and off-road equipment. Their product range includes spur gears, helical gears, bevel gears, spline gears, and internal gears. With well-known clients such as Eaton Hydraulics, Allison Transmissions, Caterpillar, John Deere, and MackTruck, they aim to produce 1.5 million gears annually.
The company also produces and processes a variety of shafts and rotating parts, mainly using bar stock. These bars are machined using Neidlein’s face drive equipment and recently acquired Neidlein tips. Typical bar dimensions range from 25 to 125 mm (1 to 5 in) in diameter and 200 to 950 mm (8 to 38 in) in length.
According to Keith Mallek, an application engineer at UnitedGear & Assembly, the company introduced its first end-face drive device 10 years ago. Since then, they've received numerous orders, prompting them to purchase more face-end drive devices to keep up with growing demand. Initially, face drives were used in only a few projects, but today, they're applied across a wide range of products. Mr. Mallek notes that this expansion is due to the increasing need for face-driven components. So far, the company has experienced no issues with their face drives and currently operates three Neidlein units: FSB-1, FSB-01, and FSB-4. Recently, they added a fourth custom unit for specialized part production.
Mr. Mallek explained that the company primarily uses 8620 (reference designation 21NiCrMo2) and 4140 (reference designation 40CrMoA) steel. They also use 4340 (reference designation 34CrNiMo6 or 40CrNiMoA), a quenched and tempered material with a hardness of 32–38HRC. Standard drive pins are used to match these materials, ensuring optimal performance and durability.
Many of the company’s orders are continuous, with quantities ranging from 100 to 1800 parts. The equipment runs in three shifts, operating six days a week. Conversion occurs about twice a day or once every three days, depending on the workload.
For specific customer designs, two chisel pins are used on the LMC Workholding end face driver. This is a novel approach compared to traditional methods, as the ratio between the chisel pin and the drive pin exceeds 3:1. Given that the component’s diameter is four times that of the drive shaft, the manufacturer developed a specialized end drive device. This custom unit features a double chiseled pin with teeth on both sides. Each pin has a six-sided cutting edge, effectively functioning like six separate pins.
When asked about the performance of the end cutting equipment, Mr. Mallek stated, “It works very well, and the two part models we produce can also benefit from the equipment.†He noted that 10% of the gears and all axes produced by the company require machining with an end driver. The main material size used ranges from 32–63mm (1.25in to 2.50in). “Face driving is another tool we use to meet the growing demand,†he said. “Now we have three devices that use face drive.†In addition to reducing conversion time, face drives also help minimize cutting. Mr. Mallek added that while the company faced some TIR issues in the past, those problems are now avoided thanks to the implementation of face-driven technology, leading to increased production output.
The feature of rubber tracks
(1). Less round damage
Rubber tracks cause less damage to roads than steel tracks and less rutting of soft ground than either steel tracks of wheel products.
(2). Low noise
A benefit to equipment operating in congested areas, rubber track products less noise than steel tracks.
(3). High speed
Rubber track permit machines to travel at a higher speed than steel tracks.
(4). Less vibration
Rubber tracks insulate machine and operator from vibration, extending the machine's lifetime and lowering operate fatigue.
(5). Low ground pressure
The ground pressure of rubber tracks equipped machinery can be fairly low, about 0.14-2.30 kg/ CMM, a major reason for its use on the wet and soft terrain.
(6). Superior traction
The added traction of rubber, track vehicles permits them to pull twice the load of wheel vehicles of the sane weight.
Application and Features:
1. Suitable for the small wheelchair.
2. Can load weight about300-400KG
3. Length can be adjusted.
4. Sprocket is available.
Characteristics of rubber track:
1). Less damage to the ground surface
2). Low noise
3). High running speed
4). Less vibration;
5). Low ground contack specific pressure
6). High tractive force
7). Light weight
8). Easy to change
Crawler Chasis,Crawling Chase,Undercarriage For Drilling Machine,Rubber Track For Drilling Rig
JIANGSU XI TEC ENVIRONMENTAL&DRILLING EQUIPMENT COMPANY CO.LTD , https://www.xitecdrilling.com