Applications of Spindles

Today in this fast age of technology, the machining centers are not lagging behind. Modern machine tools have become more flexible capable of performing a range of programmed tasks. An essential component in all machine tools is the spindle which is used to perform a range of cutting and finishing operations. A spindle is a motor driven shaft that helps in both positioning and transmiting power to a tool or holding a work-piece. Spindles play a vital role in determining the quality of the final product produced and in turn the total productivity and efficiency of the machine tool itself. Spindles have a direct impact on efficiency, accuracy and overall productivity.

Types of spindles
Depending on the purposes to be served or the drives that are used to make the spindle run or on the applications, there is a wide variety of spindles. For example:

Spindles on the basis of bearings used Air bearing spindle· Air driven spindle Hydrostatic spindle Hydrodynamic spindle Spindles for machines Spindles for grinding ferrite core Spindles for grinding optical lenses Spindles on dynamo testing machines in automobile industries Spindles for tool and cutter grinding machines Spindles for CNC Grinding machines Spindles for CNC Lathes Spindles for CNC Milling machines Spindles fo Hobbing Machine Spindles for Drilling and Boring machine

Spindles in machining centers CNC spindle Lathe spindle High speed spindle Spindles on the basis of drives used High frequency driven spindle Gear driven spindle Belt driven spindle Motorized spindle Application of High Speed Spindles Grinding spindle· Milling spindle Turning spindle Boring spindle· Routing spindle Drilling spindle Engraving spindle Dressing Spindle

High Speed Spindles Application
On the basis of the above classification, we can easily say that spindles are used to perform a wide range of tasks. Spindles are used to give the final shape and specification of any product in a machining center. Spindles are used in the following applications:

Turning Cutting Drilling Counter-sinking Tapping Reaming Grinding

Milling Dressing Polishing Finishing Assembly Balancing Winding

Spindles are used for processing

• Metal
• Composite
• Glass
• Wood
• Process Equipment

Spindles are used in different industries

• Aerospace
• Automotive
• Medical
• Construction
• Metal cutting
• Micromachining & Fine Milling
• Fine Drilling
• Soft and Hard-Material Dicing
• Wafer testing
• Printing industry

Some examples:
Aerospace and automotive: Major application areas of spindles include automotive and aerospace industries. Many automotive parts have certain geometries that lend themselves to vertical grinding. They are the most common applications for vertical grinders.

Micromachining & Fine Milling: This requires spindle with high speed with features of low vibration and high stiffness under high load so as to get the highest quality surface finishing.

Fine Drilling: It is an evident fact that quick and accurate drilling of tiny holes requires spindles with high-speed rotation, low run out and compact design.

Soft and Hard-Material Dicing: For dicing Silicon wafers, GaAs, Fiber Glass Epoxy, PZT, Alumina, Ceremic BGA, Plastic or Sapphire, Glass, Titanium Carbide, and Tantalum, a spindle with high stiffness, low run out and high-speed rotation is required to achieve an exact cutting matrix. Spindles used for such purpose should have the ability to reverse directions for left and right rotation and to work in a wet environment.

Wafer testing: A spindle with quick acceleration and deceleration, high speed, and low vibration is always required in automatic wafer testing industry, where a laser scans a rotating wafer for contamination or defects.

Spinners: A spindle with high speed, low vibration, and an integrated encoder and with quick acceleration and deceleration is required in Optical or Drum Spinners that use a laser to etch plates for printing.

Optical Components: Spindles are required for dicing, cutting or polishing optical components to assure the highest quality surface finishing.