According to Coast Lasers, the AP56 Magnetic Spindle Adapter is 95% faster than traditional methods, accommodates bores as small as 1/16” (1.5mm) in diameter, is very compact and portable and increases machine availability by 95%.

The L56SS Bar Feeder Alignment Laser mounts into the AP56 Magnetic Spindle Adapter which magnetically attaches to the outside of a chuck or collet system on a Lathe. The laser beam shoots through the spindle and down the bar feeder carriage. By positioning the AP56 Magnetic Spindle Adapter and rotating the spindle by hand, the laser beam is adjusted to be concentric to the spindle’s center of axis.

Two targets are used to register the left and right and up and down positions of the front and back portion of the bar feeder’s carriage. Depending upon the style of bar feeder, the up and down height is adjusted manually each time a new diameter of bar stock is loaded into the bar feeder. 

Since the AP56 Magnetic Spindle Adapter works with all collet sizes and chucks, the alignment laser doesn’t need to be spindle inserted. This means that spindles and bar feeders can be checked for proper alignment every day in less than 90 seconds; this includes Swiss Lathes.

L56SS Bar Feeder Alignment System and AP56 Magnetic Spindle Adapter decreases setup time and provides preventive maintenance feedback. It will reduce maintenance cost, emergency repairs, energy consumption, vibration and unplanned downtime so production is optimized. By adding another AP56 alignment of rotating machinery can be performed at a fraction of the cost of traditional systems where micron accuracies are not required.