Chevalier Spindle Repair

(VMC • Bridge Mills • Surface Grinders • Double Column Machining Centers)

Chevalier Machinery Inc. manufactures vertical machining centers, bridge mills, double column machines, and precision grinders used in toolrooms and production environments. Many Chevalier machines rely on high-speed cartridge spindle systems using super-precision angular contact bearings. Atlanta Precision Spindles rebuilds the spindle assembly only, restoring preload integrity, balance accuracy, and stable thermal performance.

Chevalier Machine Types We Commonly See

Vertical Machining Centers (VMC)

CAT40 / BT40 configurations
8,000-15,000+ RPM
Production milling & mold work

Double Column / Bridge Mills

Larger taper configurations
High torque applications
Heavy cutting environments

Surface & Cylindrical Grinders

High-accuracy grinding spindles
Thermal stability critical
Oil-air or grease lubrication systems

Each platform introduces different spindle stress factors.

Common Chevalier Spindle Configurations

Depending on model and application:

Super-precision angular contact bearing systems (70xx / 719xx series)
Hybrid ceramic variants in high-speed units
Cartridge-style integrated motor spindles
Belt-driven mechanical spindle heads (grinders)
CAT40 / BT40 / ISO taper interfaces

Preload accuracy and balance are critical across all configurations.

Common Chevalier Spindle Failure Modes

1️⃣ Overheating

Often caused by:

Preload drift
Over-greasing
Oil-air imbalance (grinding platforms)
Internal friction

Rapid idle heat rise is an early indicator.

2️⃣ Vibration Increasing With RPM

Common causes:

Bearing fatigue
Rotor imbalance
Contamination damage
Hybrid bearing skidding (high-speed models)

Vibration usually appears before catastrophic failure.

3️⃣ Taper Wear & Tool Interface Issues

In VMC and bridge mill platforms:

Taper fretting
Pull-stud wear
Tool seating inconsistency
Runout growth

Often mistaken for axis or toolholder problems.

4️⃣ Grinding Spindle Contamination

In surface and cylindrical grinders:

Abrasive dust intrusion
Lubrication degradation
Raceway pitting
Thermal drift

Grinding spindles are especially sensitive to contamination.

Warning Signs Your Chevalier Spindle Needs Service

Spindle running hotter than baseline
Finish chatter
Measurable runout
High-frequency bearing noise
Reduced tool life
Dimensional drift (grinding applications)

Early evaluation often reduces rebuild scope and cost.

Our Chevalier Spindle Rebuild Process

We focus on restoring engineered stiffness and thermal stability. Our process typically includes:

Complete spindle disassembly
Bearing designation verification
Matched super-precision bearing replacement
Controlled preload assembly
Dynamic balance correction
Seal and contamination protection inspection
Taper inspection and runout verification
Thermal stabilization testing

The goal is stable rotation at operating RPM with predictable heat rise.

Repair vs Replacement

Full spindle replacement can involve:

High cost
Long lead times
Machine downtime

A precision rebuild is often appropriate when:

Shaft and housing remain within tolerance
Bearing wear is primary failure
Motor components remain intact

Rebuild restores performance characteristics without replacing the entire spindle cartridge.

Industries Commonly Using Chevalier Machines

Aerospace machining
Mold & die
Tool & die shops
Automotive component production
Precision grinding operations

Spindle stability directly impacts production consistency.

Important Disclaimer

Atlanta Precision Spindles repairs the spindle assembly only – not the Chevalier machine. We do not service:

Axis drives
Controls
Ballscrews
Way systems
Hydraulic systems
Electrical systems

Our focus is strictly on spindle rebuild, preload restoration, balance correction, and thermal stability.

Chevalier Spindle Repair – Restore Accuracy & Stability

If your Chevalier VMC or grinder spindle is running hot, vibrating, or losing finish quality, early evaluation can prevent internal damage and reduce downtime. Contact Atlanta Precision Spindles to discuss your specific Chevalier model and operating symptoms.