What Makes ATC Spindles Worth So Much?

[rb99]

There is a huge difference in price between a regular spindle and an ATC spindle. They start at $7,500. Why are they so much more?

[Brady Watson]

It's an ongoing conspiracy against Canadians...;)

There is so much more to them...The bottom bearings have to be large enough to accept a CAT40 holder and still spin high RPM with negligible runout. These are BIG bucks. The bearings are often compressed air cooled, plus the internal mechanism to pneumatically pull in the tool holder and they are usually at least 5hp. There are additional sensors, actuators and other features not present on a regular spindle. Plus...somebody has to pay the engineers and designers responsible for coming up with the thing in the first place, and funding R&D for the next one.

Price is all relative. It's only expensive if you don't need one. If you are doing production at your company and you are doing multiple tool changes per part, an ATC will pay for itself within the first month or two. When I first read your question, I almost spit out my coffee because I thought you were considering putting an ATC on your PR. Now I know you were just curious. :)

-B