Smith Renaud
Grinding System and Spindle Repair

Smith-Renaud is a developer and remanufacturer of turnkey grinding systems, and a designer, manufacturer, and rebuilder of custom precision spindles. They supply tooling and equipment to a variety of industries. In addition to technical support and operator training, Smith-Renaud offers field service as well on a scheduled or an urgent basis. As a machine rebuilder, spindle manufacturer, and grinding facility, Smith-Renaud has an inventory of replacement parts to maintain their own production and to provide emergency service to customers. For any grinding application or any type of spindle, choose Smith-Renaud.

Spindle Repairs and Upgrades

Smith-Renaud has the solution for your spindle repairs and upgrades for all types, makes, models, from conventional machines to the most advanced CNC equipment. If your spindle can no longer function effectively, whether through wear or a crash, Smith-Renaud offers one of the most comprehensive spindle repair programs in the industry. They have been serving the metal, wood, and plastics industries for almost half a century.

• Highly trained spindle technicians disassemble and evaluate your spindle problem.
• Your written evaluation, together with Smith-Renault's findings, is reviewed and you are appraised of the best type of repair procedure for your spindle.
• Smith-Renaud will fax you a detailed estimate of the repair requirements and a completion date. Additional suggestions for upgrading and enhancements, if applicable, are suggested for your consideration.
• Your spindle components are refurbished and or replaced as estimated and then under go a strict quality control inspection before final assembly.
• Final assembly in Smith-Renault's Clean Room assures that the spindle is free from any foreign materials that would interfere with the spindle's performance.
• Testing at speeds and under similar conditions that simulate your application.
• Only when your spindle meets Smith-Renault's quality control and performance checks is it shipped back to you, you will again enjoy worry-free operation.

Most spindle repairs are completed in less than two weeks. Smith-Renaud knows that a piece of equipment when down is not financially contributing its share to your business. For that reason, they carry an extensive inventory of bearings, seals, special nuts, and many other components to serve you better and faster.

Rebuilding Centerless Cincinnati Grinders

Smith-Renaud specializes in providing centerless grinding equipment best suited to do the job, no matter what the job. With decades of experience in centerless grinding, machine rebuilding, plus precision spindle design and manufacture, they are uniquely qualified to help you develop a process and to provide a grinder to fit your needs. As part of Smith-Renaud's rebuild they offer process verification, operator training, and on-going technical support.

Equipment is totally remanufactured from the base up in Smith-Renaud's facility. Not only do they support options such as full electronic control, integrated parts handling, and ball screw retrofits, but also they have developed products exclusively available through Smith-Renaud, such as a conversion of the regulating wheel spindle to adjustment-free hollow roller bearings. The paragraphs to follow describe some details of Smith-Renaud's approach to rebuilding a centerless grinder…

Rebuilding Machine Base and Slides — After having removed all components from the machine, the base is chemically cleaned, prepared for painting, then painted per customer specifications. All bedways and slide surfaces are hand scraped and refit for proper alignment. The center height is verified and restored, if necessary. A ball screw may be installed driven by a servomotor.

Size Control — A digital readout may be added or full motion control is available through a touch screen interface. A controller stores programs for different parts including their setups, and it removes stroke limitations while minimizing operator error. One may also control the regulating wheel speed mid-cycle in conjunction with the infeed rate giving improved roundness, better finish and dimensional accuracy.

Dressers — All dressers are hand scraped and gibs are restored to allow for maximum adjustment. The angle settings are re-calibrated and offsets for graduations and pointers are updated. As an option, an automatic dresser, rotary diamond dresser, or a programmable dresser is also available, including two axis hydraulic tracing dressing or the ability to generate multi-diameter complex forms on the grinding wheel.

Spindles — The grinding wheel spindle is remanufactured with special attention given to radial and thrust bearings and their corresponding surfaces. Bearing pads are hand scraped and bearing journals are super finished after coating. If the grind spindle motor uses a belt, generally a Poly-Vee belt is installed. The regulating wheel housing is hand scraped and mounting surfaces are made flat and parallel. The regulating wheel spindle is routinely upgraded to incorporate ultra-precision hollow roller bearings. These adjustment-free bearings are pre-greased and offer longer spindle and wheel life while improving accuracy through lower radial runout, increased radial stiffness, and vibration damping: this retrofit package is available in cantilever design or outboard support. Smith-Renaud recommends a variable speed direct drive for the regulating wheel spindle.

Electronics and motors — Motors are verified with megger checks for insulation quality and are reconditioned with bearing replacement and rotor balancing. All starters, relays, timers, and wires are replaced as needed.

Lubrication and hydraulics — A programmable, metered lubrication system is installed for lubrication of both dressers, slides, bedways, and infeed screw. Safety switches are installed to shut down the machine when pressure in the lines is low. Lines, filters, and regulators are replaced as needed.

Coolant and filtration — A coolant pump with new hoses may be provided and coolant tanks are available if required. Further, Smith-Renaud can identify and provide filtration systems and or refrigeration devices where needed.

Parts handling and caging — Custom automatic parts feeding systems can be designed for general purposes, for a single part, or for a family of parts. These feeding systems may include hoppers with vibratory bowls, conveyors, or runners, along with appropriate part orienting and loading ejecting systems. Also, Smith-Renaud can offer state of the art integrated dimensional gauging systems with process control including laser based or other non-contact measuring devices which can include part isolation and anticipation features.

Verification and runoff — Verification of equipment for intended use and CPK or other statistical testing is done at our facility with your parts, and training with manuals is provided. Set-up and or start-up of equipment at your facility with on-site training is available as well.

Contact Smith-Renaud, Inc.

Assist Group is authorized to represent Smith-Renaud for the above service and more. Members of Assist Group have worked alongside Smith-Renaud for years, and are uniquely qualified to quote your job and discuss your individual company needs in detail. To receive additional information or to request a quote from Smith-Renaud, please use our contact us mail form or call us during business hours at (860)974-3673. Your inquiry will be responded to promptly.

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