Wheel CNC Lathe Chuck Removal and Installation

On all Lehigh Alloy Wheel Repair CNC lathes, one 3-jaw chuck is installed as work holding device to secure the alloy wheels which are going to be machined on this CNC lathe. A lathe chuck can only achieve its maximum clamping force when its internal components are very clean and well lubricated by its design. Regular maintenance work is required in order to keep the lathe chuck in its best performance to secure the alloy wheels correctly and safely. 

Wheel repair machine

During the maintenance work, very often, it is necessary to remove the lathe chuck from the spindle nose of the alloy wheel repair CNC lathe for complete cleaning and lubrication work. Then, the same chuck will be installed back onto the alloy wheel CNC lathe again.  For most Lehigh alloy wheel repair CNC lathes, in particular, Lehigh MR-2540 & MR-2940 CNC lathe, a 16” Bison 3-jaw chuck with D1-8 spindle nose are installed. So, we will focus on this type of chuck and provide the basic instructions for its removal and its installation.

Warning: The 16” 3-jaw lathe chuck weights about 250 lbs. Extra caution and special attention are required when to work on this type of heavy chuck from alloy wheel CNC lathe. A dropped chuck can cause serious crushing injuries, or property damage, or both. Please always use a   lifting, support, or protective device to reduce this risk when to remove a chuck from alloy wheel CNC lathe or install a chuck onto alloy wheel CNC lathe. One movable crane system is recommended for supporting the weight of the lathe chuck from alloy wheel CNC lathe.

Warning: It is important to have a machine repair specialist from local area to perform this kind of repair services to remove the chuck form the lathe and dissemble the chuck to avoid potential damages to the chuck as well as possible injuries to anyone who works around the lathe. Always use some kind of chuck cradle, protective device, and special lifting equipment when to install and remove the heavy chuck body from the alloy wheel CNC lathe.

A. How to remove 3-jaw chuck with D1-8 Camlock from Alloy Wheel CNC lathe

A-1.   Disconnect all electrical power to this alloy wheel repair CNC lathe before any work
 
A-2.   Remove alloy wheel from the lathe chuck on CNC lathe
 
A-3.   Remove all soft jaws from master jaws of the chuck
 
A-4.   Provide a solid wood cradle underneath the chuck body as a safe guard and support
 
wheel repair machine

The alloy wheel must be removed from the lathe chuck.

lahte chuck

Three top soft jaws shall be removed from master jaws.

Lathe chuck

Soft jaws have been removed. Only master jaws are shown.

Wheel CNC Lathe Chuck

The Cam Line is positioned in between two “V” when the chuck is secured.

Lathe chuck

Use square head wrench to turn the Cam Line onto top position to release Camlock.

Lathe chuck

Follow the correct procedures to unlock the Camlocks: first 1-4, then 5-2, then 3-6 (to be balanced).

A-5.   Locate (6) Camlocks on the spindle nose and verify that all Cam Lines are positioned between two of “V” marks.  One is located at 3 clock positon and the other is located at 6 clock position, while the Cam Line is in-between them when the chuck is secured.

A-6.  Use hand wrench with square head to adjust the Cam Line in counter-clockwise direction so that this Cam Line is at 12 clock position in order to unlock the chuck from spindle nose. This procedure must be carried out in a criss-cross pattern: 1 – 4 , 5 – 2, then, 3 – 6.
 
A-7.  When to start unlocking Camlocks, please make sure that the weight of the chuck body is fully supported by the solid wood cradle which is positioned underneath the chuck.
 
A-8.  After having unlocked all Camlocks, use a soft hammer to tap on the top of the chuck so that all studs will be slightly released from the spindle nose.
 
A- 9 Then, use movable crane system to lift the chuck body away from the spindle nose and set it onto the work bench safely for further work.

B. How to Install 3-jaw chuck with D1-8 Camlock onto Alloy Wheel CNC lathe

B-1.   Disconnect all electrical power to this alloy wheel repair CNC lathe before any work.
 
B-2.   Clean & Lubricate spindle nose, master jaws & soft jaws. Add Grease to the scrolls.
 
B-3.   Install master jaws in correct sequence onto the chuck for alloy wheel repair CNC lathe.
 
B-4.   Check and verify the datum line of the studs is in alignment with the chuck surface.
 
B-5.   Install & secure (6) Allen bolts from alignment groove to prevent studs from rotating.
Lathe chuck

Clean & Lubricate the spindle nose before chuck installation.

chuck jaws

Clean & Lubricate the master jaws.

chuck jaws

Clean & Lubricate the soft jaws.

lathe chuck

Add grease to the scroll

chuck stud

Adjust datum line of (6) studs in alignment with the chuck surface.

Lathe chuck

Install & secure (6) Allen bolts in the alignment groove.

B-6.   Provide a solid wood cradle at the spindle front as support to the chuck body.
 
B-7.   Use movable crane system to lift the chuck body and position it near the spindle.
 
B-8.   Match the height of (6) studs in alignment with (6) Cam holes of spindle nose.
 
B-9.   Insert (6) Camlock studs straight into (6) spindle Cam holes evenly.
 
B-10. Incrementally tighten the Camlocks in a criss-cross pattern (1-4, 5-2, 3-6).
 
B-11. Secure and verify all Cam Lines are between two “V” marks.
 
B-12. Verify that the back surface of the chuck perfectly fits spindle without any gap.
 
B-13. Install top soft jaws onto the master jaws now to complete the installation.
Lathe chuck

Handle the lathe chuck with heavy lifting equipment.

Lathe chuck

Use wrench to move the Cam Line onto two “V”

Lathe chuck

Tighten camlocks in a criss cross pattern (1-4, 5-2, 3-6)

Lathe chuck

Verify if the chuck has fit the spindle nose perfectly.

lahte chuck

Install soft jaws onto the master jaws accordingly.

wheel repair machine

The installation of the chuck is completed now.

As a short summary, the basic maintenance on the lathe chuck shall be followed every day so long as this Alloy Wheel CNC lathe is operational. The quality of the machined wheels are directly related to the performance of the lathe chuck. When it is necessary to remove the chuck from this alloy wheel CNC lathe, please follow the safety instructions with extra caution and special attention to do it safely and correctly.