Designed for versatility and ease of use, the Microgage spindle-alignment tool is useful for aligning lathes and turning centers; adjusting boring mills; aligning drive shafts; adjusting barfeeders; and other applications. Available from Pinpoint Laser Systems, the tool provides data on runout, centerline offset, parallelism, concentricity and other parameters to guide machinery back to alignment.
The system operates via a round laser that is secured to a chuck or attached to the end of a shaft or spindle. A dual-axis reciever is placed on the tailstock, toolholder or any other piece of equipment that can receive the laser beam. As the laser and receiver move relative to each other, the digital display provides a reading of the alignment and machine characteristics. The tool can measure to precision of 0.0001" or better. The laser can align at distances as great as 150'.
Even when CNCs are equipped with automatic post-process gaging systems, there are always a few important adjustments that must be done manually. Don’t take operators understanding these adjustments for granted.
If you want to streamline production and be competitive in the industry, you will need far more than a standard three-axis CNC mill or two-axis CNC lathe and a few measuring tools.
