Running Behavior of a High-Speed Spindle Using a Micro-Mist Lubrication System

Abstract

This work investigates the effect of lubrication parameter on the operation performance of a high-speed spindle using a micro-mist lubrication system. Experiments are conducted through a long-time spindle test under different combinations of oil-supply parameter and rotating speed for a micro-mist lubricated spindle. The correspondent relationships among temperature rise, vibration, oil-supply parameter and rotating speed are established through the experiments under moderate oil-supply. The results show that the better oil-supply parameter combinations exist under different spindle rotating speeds, which could ensure the sufficient and adequate lubricating oil film to be formed and a stable elasto-hydro-dynamic lubrication could be further created during the operation period. The minimization of the temperature rise in bearings may be attained. Increasing air pressure contributed to the reduction in bearing temperature, but saturation might be appeared after the pressure level reached to a certain extent. The dynamic response measurement shows that this prototype spindle has an overly large vibration and rotation unbalance on the radial plane, which highlights the unstable operation problem of the spindle. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the constructed procedures, such as design, manufacture, and assembly for further use, to enhance the operation performance of the spindle. The analysis, measurement and diagnosis procedures established in this study could be helpful to uplift the related techniques for precision machinery industry.