Live Centers Wearing Out Too Quickly

[SwissMade]

Whenever i use centes on steel's or stainless the tips of the centers always wear . I have tried adjusting the tailstock pressure and the parameter setting which moves the tailstock to your desired position . I am not sure what else i could be doing wrong that would cause this rapid wear . I have haas sl lathes and use royal centers .

[thelonegunmen]

have you tried a different center to see if life is same as a royal center
it might tell you if it is your center or your process

[SwissMade]

I have tried a diffrent brand recently and had same results . It seems to just wear the tip of the center when i use on small parts , I mean it literally wears the metal on the center . And i would think that hardened tool steel could handle it , it has happened on mutiple diffrent lathes also .

[nusolar]

If your sure high pressure in not the reason, remember when cutting any metal heat is generated creating thermal expansion also too little pressure can have an adverse effect an improper point to part seat. Check spindle to tail stock alignment, point to part contact correct angle(60 ̊ ).use of a good quality live center.
have you considered a spring type center or one with changeable points

[tonyk1]

When I am using a live center, I turn the tail stock pressure all the way down and I bring the center up to engage in the part and then I hold the center between my thumb and fore finger as tight as I can and turn the pressure up until I can no longer hold the center still. This seems to work on all live centers. I have been using this process for 20 years. I hope this works for you, and I am sure it will.

[Petro]

Just want to make sure your setup is clear. You say live center are you talking about a center that you buy with the bearings in it or a center that taper locks in the tailstock? If its in the tailstock how easy is it to turn by hand? Compare to another machine if possible. I have found that sometimes it does not take to much resistance to cause the center to slip in the part when it is rotating at high speeds. It could then be your bearings starting to go. Also try spinning it by hand with tailstock engaged which will also load up the bearings.

Check alignment to as someone else suggested.

Hope this helps

[Adam.Glover]

You need to put a part between your spindle and tailstock and run it for a bit. Start by running at a low rpm like 500, and gradually increase it till you hit like 2000. It will have to run at each rpm setting for 20 -30 minuates. This process should take a couple hours but if you do it right your center will last a hell of a lot longer than it is now. If your just throwing it in and running it then the bearings are likely binding up and causing your part to slip thus wearing out your center point faster.

[Texas Sawduster]

One more option is to buy live centers with Carbide Tips. You must be more careful loading part so as not to bump the carbide with the barstock but they will last longer.
Also, check the specs on the live center to find what the max rpm rating is. The better brand names should be able to give you that information.
Are the bearings sealed or open? That will also make a difference in the life of the center. Coolant is a bearings worst enemy.

[k.guru]

Dear Friend,

Please use female type revolving centre in which a small bullet shaped additional centre is being inserted. Usually the hardness of the centre is more than 55 hrc and having more wear resistance and change angle of centre point as same as your component's centre angle. Try again.

I think this technique may help you. Because we making Cylinder Head Bolts on EN - 19 and 4140 materials with 42 hrc not facing such a problem in my 5 years experience.

Note: - please check your live centre's bearing. because it might worn out.