Research on Application of Advanced Ceramics in Machine Tool Spindles

Abstract

One important demand on spindle systems in modern machine tools is to realize higher rotational speed in order to increase the machining efficiency. So, the low rotational inertia and high fundamental natural frequency are indispensable. Because of advanced ceramics' extraordinary physical properties such as high hardness, low thermal expansion, light weight, abrasion resistant and good chemical and thermal stability, it accommodates very well the high-speed and precision requirements of machine tool spindles. In this study, a high-speed ceramic spindle system equipped with high-performance structural ceramic shaft and fully-ceramic ball bearings was designed and developed. The high-speed ceramic motorized spindle prototype was assembled with high precision successfully, and its performance test and analysis were finished. The test results show that ceramic motorized spindle can reduce the high-speed rotational centrifugal force and inertia force and increase the stiffness and rotation accuracy of spindle-bearing system greatly.