Waterproof Live Center (WP / WPL30 / WPL30A) Complete Guide
A comprehensive reference to the waterproof-enhanced WP, WPL30 and WPL30A live centers — covering construction, full dimension tables, carbide-tipped options and selection guidance.
Overview
▲ Product appearance (POINTTECH catalog)
A waterproof live center supports a workpiece from the tailstock side of a lathe, grinder or inspection machine and rotates together with the part. An integrated precision bearing lets it spin at high speed without the friction, heat and wear of a dead (fixed) center. POINTTECH's WP family adds a waterproof-enhanced seal design so that in flood-coolant or otherwise wet machining environments, coolant is kept from penetrating the bearing, degrading lubrication or causing premature failure.
The family comprises three types: the standard WP (WPC), the Extended 30° WPL30, and the Extended A WPL30A. WP is the general-purpose standard head; WPL30 and WPL30A extend the point to improve access to slender shafts, deep bores and geometries where interference with tool holders or chucks is a concern. All types share Morse taper (MT) 2–5 shanks and guarantee run-out within 0.003 mm (0.0001").
Key Features
- Accuracy guaranteed to 0.003 mm TIR (0.0001") — excellent for CNC, grinder and inspection machines
- Waterproof-enhanced seal construction blocks coolant and moisture ingress
- Heat-treated point to HRc 60 ± 2 for wear resistance and stable point geometry
- Small head diameter reduces interference between tool holders and turning tools
- Carbide-tipped point available — carbide point to HRa 90 ± 5
- MT2–MT5 Morse taper shanks for broad tailstock compatibility
Even in waterproof form this is a bearing-borne live center. Always observe the catalog Max. R.P.M and Workpiece Weight limits for the chosen model. Permissible load decreases as rotational speed rises (see the r.p.m vs. load curves in the technical data). Exceeding these limits degrades run-out, generates heat and shortens bearing life.
Specifications — WP (Standard Type)
MODEL | MT | A | B | C | D | L | Workpiece Weight | Max. R.P.M | Max. Run Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
071002 (072002) | 2 | 27.7 | 23.8 | 69 | 28 | 120 | 200 | 4,000 | 0.003 |
071003 (072003) | 3 | 32.3 | 28 | 85 | 32 | 145 | 400 | 3,000 | 0.003 |
071004 (072004) | 4 | 45 | 40 | 108 | 48 | 194 | 700 | 3,000 | 0.003 |
071005 (072005) | 5 | 62 | 54 | 136 | 54 | 241 | 1,300 | 2,000 | 0.003 |
Unit: mm, kg. Part numbers in parentheses (072xxx) denote the carbide-tipped type.
Specifications — WPL30 (Extended 30° Type)
MODEL | MT | A | B | C | E | L | Workpiece Weight | Max. R.P.M | Max. Run Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
073002 (074002) | 2 | 27.7 | 23.8 | 69 | 35 | 132 | 120 | 4,000 | 0.003 |
073003 (074003) | 3 | 32.3 | 28 | 85 | 45 | 162 | 320 | 3,000 | 0.003 |
073004 (074004) | 4 | 45 | 40 | 108 | 65 | 221 | 560 | 3,000 | 0.003 |
073005 (074005) | 5 | 62 | 54 | 136 | 90 | 280 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 0.003 |
Unit: mm, kg. The point is extended at 30°, increasing length (L) and the E dimension relative to the same MT in the standard type.
Specifications — WPL30A (Extended A Type)
MODEL | MT | A | B | C | E | K | L | Workpiece Weight | Max. R.P.M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
075002 (076002) | 2 | 27.7 | 23.8 | 69 | 42 | 14 | 139 | 100 | 4,000 |
075003 (076003) | 3 | 32.3 | 28 | 85 | 47.6 | 14 | 167 | 280 | 3,000 |
075004 (076004) | 4 | 45 | 40 | 108 | 75.3 | 24 | 236 | 500 | 3,000 |
075005 (076005) | 5 | 62 | 54 | 136 | 110 | 24 | 300 | 900 | 2,000 |
Unit: mm, kg. Run-out within 0.003 mm on all models. WPL30A carries the longest extended point for the deepest-access geometries.
Carbide-Tipped Point
In place of a steel point, a carbide-tipped option (HRa 90 ± 5) is available. The carbide point offers far higher wear resistance, greatly reducing accuracy loss from point wear during machining of hard workpieces, long unattended runs and grinding operations. Carbide-tip part numbers per type are listed below.
Type | MT2 | MT3 | MT4 | MT5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
WP (WPC-TYPE) | 072002 | 072003 | 072004 | 072005 |
WPL30 (WPL30C-TYPE) | 074002 | 074003 | 074004 | 074005 |
WPL30A (WPL30AC-TYPE) | 076002 | 076003 | 076004 | 076005 |
Selection Guide
- Match the model to the Morse taper number (MT2–MT5) of your tailstock sleeve.
- Confirm the workpiece weight is within the model's Workpiece Weight limit and the operating speed is within its Max. R.P.M. For high-speed work, size up to a larger taper for margin.
- Choose WP for standard geometry. Choose WPL30 when slender shafts or deep bores demand more point reach, and WPL30A when even longer reach is required.
- For hard materials and long continuous or grinding operations, select the carbide-tipped type (parenthesized part number) to extend point life.
- Heavy flood-coolant (wet) environments are the core use case of this waterproof family. For dry or low-moisture work, the standard BN family may also be considered.
Applications
Suited to coolant-heavy CNC turning and machining, wet cylindrical grinding, and shaft support in precision inspection machines. It is especially used on wet machining lines where coolant ingress shortens ordinary live-center bearing life, on lights-out and long unattended runs, and on precision shafts, rotors and spindles requiring concentricity at the 0.003 mm level.