admin
Gib liner replacement is one of the most impactful maintenance tasks on a servo press.
When to Replace:
- Slide-to-gib clearance exceeds manufacturer spec (typically 0.03-0.08mm)
- Visible scoring or galling on liner surface
- Increased slide vibration at speed
- Part springback becoming inconsistent
Procedure:
1. Lock out / tag out - engage mechanical safety block, verify zero energy state
2. Measure existing clearance - record all four gib positions before disassembly
3. Remove gib adjusting screws - note torque values and shim thicknesses
4. Extract liner - most are retained by screws or press-fit; do not pry against the slide surface
5. Clean gib ways - remove all old lubricant, inspect for scoring
6. Fit new liner - apply Prussian blue, check contact pattern (aim for >70% contact area)
7. Adjust clearance - set to lower end of spec; liners will bed in over first 50k strokes
8. Verify parallelism after adjustment
After replacement, run 500 strokes at 30% speed before returning to production. New liners running hot indicates insufficient clearance.
mike_chen_eng
On gib liner material: for high-SPM applications above 60 SPM consider filled PTFE composite liners. Lower friction coefficient (0.04-0.08 vs 0.10-0.15 for bronze) and self-lubricating. Downside: wear faster under shock loads, not suitable for blanking operations.