In any centering application, the accuracy of the parts produced is no better than the accuracy of the centers holding the workpiece. The accuracy and service life of a live or dead center can also be dramatically affected by today's high-horsepower machines, aggressive machining parameters and high-pressure coolant applications. Premature center failure is typically caused by misapplication of a center, excessive tailstock force or high part weight, all of which can result in producing chatter, greatly reduced accuracy and out-of-spec parts.
A byproduct of these service life issues is that the centers must be replaced more frequently as they wear or break. The cost of replacement, not to mention loss of production time due to frequent changeover, can escalate costs-often to high levels.
In response to this dilemma Riten Industries, Inc., a large domestic manufacturer of live centers, dead centers and face drivers, has, since 1969, continued to expand its repair and trade-in exchange service programs. "Exclusive to the North American market for complete restoration, these programs deliver fast and economical solutions to extending end-users' investment far beyond the normal life of average centers to achieve maximum uptime," said a Riten spokesperson.
"Riten can repair/restore to 'like new' condition its standard centers and face drivers (as well as industry competitor's products) for a fraction of the cost of new tools," said the spokesperson. If practical repair is not possible, trade-in is available for live centers and face drivers at a savings for new standard Riten products. With competitors' products, trade-in savings are estimated on a case-by-case basis.
Family owned since 1933, all Riten products are made in the U.S. with thousands in stock and built to order in a 35,000 sq. ft. facility in central Ohio. "The engineering team provides extensive knowledge in the sciences of rotational dynamics, metallurgy, mechanurgy and lubrication technology," said the spokesperson. Riten's repair/trade-in department has specific manufacturing cells set up with dedicated equipment. Additionally, a staff of approximately seven to nine engineers are continually devoted to repairing all makes of centers for industry-specific applications in the aerospace, automotive, defense and medical markets, etc.
According to Riten's National Sales Manager Kent Hizer, "In most cases larger companies have huge overhead, so establishing a dedicated repair operation is not profitable for them. Lead times and costs also make this prohibitive, and for end-users lead time is key. Our dedicated programs are built to deliver with turnaround time typically being 1-2 weeks. Also, emergency repairs can be delivered in as little as 1-2 days."
"Each Riten product category undergoes and adheres to a dedicated Five-Step Remanufacturing Process: Receipt, Inspection, Quotation, Repair, Testing and Certification. Ultimately, this delivers total 'peak efficiency' center reconditioning, as all rebuilt centers are restored to original accuracy and receive the same factory warranty as a new center," continued Hizer.
Live Center Repair Program
"When a Riten standard live center is returned, the unit is rebuilt to 'like new' condition at 40% of the cost of a new center. This is a total reconditioning, exclusive to the North American market, which includes new: spindle, front and rear bearings, grease seal and lubricant. All rebuilt centers are restored to original accuracy / concentricity standards and receive the same factory warranty as a new center."
The average turnaround time is 1-2 weeks. Emergency repairs can be delivered in as little as 1-2 days with prior approval from the factory. Notably, Riten repairs approximately 97% of all centers (including competitors) received-remanufacturing them to their original manufacturer specifications.
Dead Center Repair Program
Riten repairs any dead center-regardless of the original manufacturer. Point angle and taper are restored to their original factory specification. Unrepairable tools are identified, and replacement centers are quoted for convenience.
All dead centers are refurbished on a quotation basis depending on the condition of the tool. Shipping instructions are provided to send dead centers to the factory so that the cost of repair can be determined.
Face Driver Repair Program
"Whereas Riten face drivers outsell all U.S.-based competitors, Riten will repair most brands of competitor's face drivers-regardless of the original manufacturer," said the spokesperson. Each face driver undergoes the rigorous Five Step Remanufacturing Process where all wear items are replaced, and the tool is re-worked to meet original concentricity specifications. All other required work is performed to return the tool to original accuracy and "like new" condition. Unrepairable tools are also identified, and replacement centers are quoted for convenience.
All face drivers are refurbished on a quotation basis depending on the condition of the tool. Shipping instructions are provided to send the face driver to the factory, so that the cost of repair can be determined.
Riten Trade-In Program
If for any reason a Riten standard live center is determined to be beyond practical repair, a preferred customer trade-in allowance of up to 35% will be allowed toward the purchase of an equivalent new center. Unrepairable competitor's live centers will earn a trade-in allowance of up to 35% on a new Riten live center or face driver. Dead centers are not eligible for the trade-in allowance.
American made in the "Heartland of Ohio," Riten Industries provides engineered solutions for specific customer applications for the workholding industry. "With the largest standard product offering of live centers, dead centers and face drivers in the industry, Riten also manufactures custom centers to the customer's specific process requirements, to meet any production need." said the spokesperson.
"The continued evolution of Riten's repair and trade-in programs supports its turn-key service philosophy of 'Solutions, not excuses.' This is backed by a direct sales team, technical-skilled manufacturing representatives, and a robust channel of distribution partners."
According to Riten's V.P. of Manufacturing Mitchell Kirby, "We are family owned and focus exclusively on live/dead centers and face drivers, so our efforts are not diluted by the distraction of other product lines. Our dedicated repair division is a natural extension of this expertise, which makes it a unique and viable asset to the industry."
Author: Kent Hizer, Riten Industries, Inc.
For more information contact:
Riten Industries, Inc.
1100 Lakeview Ave.
Washington Court House, OH 43160
740-335-5353 / 800-338-0027
k.hizer@riten.com
www.riten.com
www.riten.com/services/repair-rebuild-remanufacture