Design of Spindle

By A.B.Solanki

Contents

Introduction
Function of Spindle
Requirements of Spindle
Materials of Spindle and Spindle Ends
Effect of Compliance on spindle Accuracy
Design Calculation for Spindle

Introduction
A machine tool is a powered mechanical device, typically used to
fabricate metal components of machines by machining, which is the
selective removal of metal. Machine tools can be operated
manually, or under automatic control. Early machines used
flywheels to stabilize their motion and had complex systems of
gears and levers to control the machine and the piece being worked
on. Soon after World War II, the numerical control (NC) machine
was developed. NC machines used a series of numbers punched on
paper tape or punched cards to control their motion. In the 1960s,
computers were added to give even more flexibility to the process.
Such machines became known as computerized numerical control
(CNC) machines. NC and CNC machines could precisely repeat
sequences over and over, and could produce much more complex
pieces than even the most skilled tool operators.

Functions
The spindle is one of the most important elements of
the machine tool.
The functions of the spindle of machine tool are as
follows :
(a) It clamps the workpiece or cutting tool in such a way
that the workpiece or cutting tool is reliably held in
position during the machining operation.
(b) It imparts rotary motion or rotary cum translatory
motion to the cutting tool or workpiece.
(c) It is used for centering the cutting tool in drilling
machine, milling machine,etc. while it centers the
workpiece in lathes, turrets, boring machine, etc.

Requirements of Spindle
(a)The

spindle should rotate with high degree of accuracy. The

accuracy of rotation is calculated by the axial and radial run out
of the spindle nose. The radial and axial run out of the spindle
nose should not exceed certain permissible values. These values
depend upon the required machining accuracy. The rotational
accuracy is influenced mainly by the stiffness and accuracy of the
spindle bearings especially by the bearing which is located
at the front end.
(b) The spindle unit must have high dynamic stiffness and damping.
(c)The spindle bearing should be selected in such a way that the
initial accuracy of the unit should be maintained during the
service life of the machine tool.
(d) Spindle unit should have fixture which provides quick and
reliable centering and clamping of the cutting tool or work piece.

Requirements of Spindle
(e) The spindle unit must have high static stiffness. Maximum
accuracy is influenced by the bending, axial as well as
torsional stiffness.
(f) The wear resistance of mating surface should be as high as
possible.
(g)Deformation of the spindle due to heat transmitted to it by
work piece, cutting tool, bearings etc. should be as low as
possible. Otherwise it will affect the accuracy of the
machining accuracy.

Factor Consider for Spindle Design

Amount of available space in the head
Complexity
Purpose and application
Cost considerations
Market demands

Advantages of Spindle
1.

Machine tool spindles reduce the number of cuts in

manufacturing by half.

2.

Spindles provide position and transmit power to a tool (as in the

case of milling machines).

3.

They hold a rotating work piece (as in the case of lathes).

4.

They hold cutting tools and spin them at high torque and speed.

5.

Spindles support many key machining tasks.

6.

Allow flexibility in cutting a variety of materials.

Uses of Spindle
Spindles are used to perform variety of tasks
like as follows:
Grinding
Milling
Drilling
Boring
Turning

Classification of Spindle
Machine tools can be categorized to two based
on number of spindle being used
Single Spindles Machines: As the names refers it
has one main spindle for caring out operations.
Multi Spindle Machines: Some machine tools
that specialize in high-volume mass production
have a group of 4, 6, or even more main spindles.
These are called multispindle machines.

Spindle Components
A spindle has the following main components.
Spindle Bearings
Chiller/Cooling Units
Spindle Motors
Spindle Collets
Spindle Pulleys
Frequency Drives
Spindle Slides
Spindle Housing
Bearing Lubricants
Spindle Head

Effect of Compliance on spindle

Accuracy

Effect of Compliance on spindle

Accuracy

Deflection of Spindle Axis due to

Bending

Effect of Various Force on Spindle

E

 Consider the spindle shown in Figure 1(a). By

replacing the rear ball bearing by a hinge and the
front sleeve bearing by a hinge and reactive moment
M the spindle can be reduced to the design diagram
as shown in Figure (b).
The deflection at the free end of the beam (spindle
nose) can be determined by Macaulays method and
is found out to be

Deflection of the Spindle due to

Compliance of Support

Total Deflection of Spindle Axis