Northfield & Balancing
We are the world’s premier manufacturer of ultra-precision balance work holding, with chucks weighing less than half of the competition. We are the only supplier recommended by major balance manufacturers.
Our mission, is to provide manufacturing companies with the most accurate work holding solutions in the world.
Northfield Balancing Chucks Feature:
- Highest accuracy
- Highest RPM
- Shortest hung mass
- Fastest & most accurate change over
Balancing:
When parts rotate without calibration, uneven pressure can occur and cause errors with the end-product. Firstly, within a high precision environment the smallest difference can have a huge impact on the final product. Therefore, when fine tolerances are exceeded the result can be expensive and time-consuming repairs.
With ever increasing speeds used on rotating machinery, balancing is increasingly necessary. The trademark accuracy and repeatability of Northfield chucks allow customers to take their designs to the next level.
Northfield products tackling balancing challenges:
Drive Shaft C.V Joints
Recently we have been producing internal grip collet chucks for balancing drive shafts. They are capable of repeating to less than 0.005mm total indicator reading.
To achieve this, the collet is ground to grip the pitch diameter of splined C.V. joints of a driveshaft assembly. Secondly, the “cone” has multiple stop pads for axial location and finally, tapped holes are used to balance the chuck assembly prior to production.
8000 RPM Double Diaphragm Chuck
This customer required a chuck for their balancing machines to hold drive shafts by their slip-yokes.
Normal balancing operations are performed at approximately 900 rpm. High-performance vehicles like Stock and Formula 1 cars hit 200 mph with their drive-shafts rotating at 10,000 to 12,000 rpm. Therefore, this case required accurate holding at road conditions, 8000 rpm.
The Northfield solution consists of two separate custom diaphragm chucks built together. There are two separate sets of jaws, one mounted in front of the other. This accommodates the long, thin shape of the part. With one set of jaws gripping the front of the piece and the other gripping the rear.
The result is accuracy of 1/10,000″ T.I.R. and repeatability to 50 millionths with extreme rigidity.
Turbine Balancing
This custom project used an 8” diaphragm chuck with custom top tooling for balancing aluminium turbine impellers.
The first, locates the workpiece using strategically positioned carbide pins between the blades and custom jaws clamping outside of blades.
The second, operation locates the impeller on the finished surface using a continuous ring locator. Custom jaws clamp the outside diameter of the workpiece. This allows the customer to finish balance the impeller blades
Summary
In summary, we offer both stock and custom solutions.
Northfield’s long-standing relationships in the balancing industry speaks volumes about the products and service offered. Get in touch today to discuss your latest product with the engineering team.
516 431 1112