Spindle cleaning

[jkaras]

Hi there,

We have a PRS Alpha 120-60-6 router with a GC RS90/2FP1SBCPE25DX spindle for almost 12 years now. I just took over the CNC duties from the company's previous CNC operator.

During longer routing operations, 30 minutes+, the spindle feels extremely hot. The spindle's cooling fan is working correctly, the bearings seems to be okay (no noise), etc.

My suspicion is that the fan might have sucked in a lot of dust over time, and the spindle isn't cooling properly anymore. I've opened the top cover of the spindle holding the fan and gently blew in compressed air. Some dust came out but it doesn't seem that the spindle's heatsink and motor are caked in dust.

I've tried to find more detailed spindle cleaning instructions online but unfortunately without success.

Do you have any recommendations in that regard? Maybe a hot spindle is normal...

Thank you for your help in advance!

Erwin

[dlcw]

I've been running an ATC spindle for a couple of years, 8 hours a day. My spindle dos run hot, even with the fan. Probably to hot to touch, comfortably, is a little to hot. You can take the fan assembly off the top of the spindle and check to make sure nothing is clogged up. Some medium pressure air should clean things out. I wouldn't go HIGH pressure air though.

[jkaras]

Thanks, Don!