Bechler spindle and motor spindle repair
Brochexpress is an independent workshop specialising in the repair, maintenance and diagnostics of Bechler spindles and motor spindles — a historic Swiss manufacturer of precision turning machines founded in 1904 in Moutier, today part of Tornos, with a fleet of sliding-headstock automatic lathes still in service.
Bechler, historic pioneer of the Swiss sliding-headstock automatic lathe
TLDR: Bechler (founded in 1904 in Moutier, Switzerland, as Bechler & Cie, then Fabrique de machines André Bechler SA in 1947) is one of the three major historic manufacturers of sliding-headstock automatic lathes in Moutier, alongside Tornos and Pétermann, brought together in 1981 under Tornos-Bechler SA.
In 1904, technician André Bechler partnered with Joseph Petermann to develop automatic lathes based on the Schweizer-Junker system, under the name Bechler & Cie, with a factory built in Moutier. André Bechler refined the system by adding the « bascule », a unique rocking support carrying two tool holders set in opposition on either side of the spindle axis, allowing alternating machining operations to be driven from a single cam. After the two partners separated in 1914, Bechler continued building automatic lathes alone, until it drew closer to Tornos in 1974, forming Tornos-Bechler SA in 1981 and then Tornos SA in 2001. Many historic Bechler lathes remain in service today in turning workshops around the world.
A range of sliding-headstock spindles with the distinctive rocking-support system
TLDR: Bechler lathes use a cam-driven sliding-headstock spindle, with the manufacturer's distinctive rocking support: a single oscillating carrier holding two opposed tool holders, allowing alternating machining operations from a single cam.
Bechler automatic lathes are built on the sliding-headstock principle, where the workpiece is brought to a fixed tool rather than the other way round — a characteristic of the so-called « Swiss » lathes of Moutier. The spindle, driven by a cam system, works together with the rocking device refined by André Bechler: a single oscillating carrier holding two tool holders set in opposition on either side of the spindle axis, allowing alternating machining from a single cam, a gain in mechanical simplicity characteristic of Bechler machines. This principle allows complete machining of precision parts, including drilling, milling, gear cutting, thread whirling and polygon turning.
Bechler spindles covered (non-exhaustive list)
- Cam-driven sliding-headstock spindles
- Spindles working with the opposed tool-holder rocking system
- Spindles of historic automatic turning lathes
- Lathe spindles for drilling, milling, gear cutting and thread whirling
- Sliding-headstock automatic lathe spindles, all generations
Interfaces and specifications
The Bechler spindles we repair use a cam-driven sliding-headstock design, with the manufacturer's distinctive rocking-support system — bar capacity and rotation speeds to be confirmed on quotation according to the exact reference of your machine.
Our expertise on your Bechler spindles and motor spindles
TLDR: Brochexpress works across the entire life cycle of your Bechler spindles, with the same rigour as for the other brands in our portfolio.
On-site customer service
- Diagnostics and service directly on your machine, in your production workshop, to limit downtime on your turning lines
Full diagnostics
- Inspection of clearances, balancing, bearing condition, sealing and the rocking system characteristic of Bechler, with a detailed technical report
Preventive and corrective maintenance
- Maintenance programme tailored to the continuous production rates of precision turning, together with corrective action in the event of a breakdown
Overhaul and refurbishment
- Grinding, bearing replacement, sealing refurbishment and rotation testing in the workshop, restoring the manufacturer's original tolerances
Why choose Brochexpress for your Bechler spindles and motor spindles
- An independent workshop, with no capital ties to manufacturers, guaranteeing an objective diagnosis
- Expertise in sliding-headstock spindles and the historic Bechler rocking system
- Two service sites: Beaurepaire (France) and Lussery-Villars (Switzerland)
- Support from the first intervention through to return to production
Turnaround and warranty
- On-site service within 48h
- Workshop repair: around 20 working days depending on parts availability
- 12-month warranty on all our repairs
Frequently asked questions
Do you repair the spindles of Bechler automatic lathes fitted with the rocking system?
Yes, we work on these spindles, whatever the age of the machine.
Do you work on historic Bechler lathes still in production after several decades?
Yes, we diagnose and repair the spindles — valuable know-how for this fleet of machines still widely in use.
What is the average lead time for a full overhaul?
Allow around 20 working days in the workshop, depending on the condition of the spindle and the availability of parts (bearings, seals, specific components).
Do you work on spindles dedicated to thread whirling and gear cutting?
Yes, we diagnose and repair these spindles, whatever the operation performed on the machine.
Do you offer a preventive maintenance contract for a fleet of Bechler lathes?
Yes, we draw up preventive maintenance programmes tailored to your production pace.
A reliable partner for your industrial performance
Whether it is an emergency on-site intervention, a full workshop overhaul or a preventive maintenance programme, Brochexpress brings its expertise to your production. As an independent workshop, we work across all Bechler spindles and motor spindles — historic sliding-headstock automatic lathes — with the responsiveness and rigour demanded by the most exacting industrial environments.
Our teams are at your disposal from our sites in Beaurepaire (France) and Lussery-Villars (Switzerland) for a study of your needs, a diagnosis or a personalised quotation.
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Bechler® is a historic trademark now attached to the Tornos group. Brochexpress is neither affiliated with, nor a partner of, nor an authorised distributor of the Tornos group. Our business covers independent repair and maintenance of industrial equipment, permitted under the principle of referential trademark use (EU Trademark Directive 2015/2436 / French Intellectual Property Code, art. L.713-6).