What is the difference between an electric spindle and a traditional mechanical spindle?

Introduction

As a new type of spindle component, the electro spindle provides a “zero transmission” solution by integrating the machine tool spindle function with the motor function. This design not only changes the working mode of traditional mechanical spindles but also shows its significant advantages in modern CNC machine tools. This article will explore the structure, benefits, and comparison of the electro spindle with the mechanical spindle and analyze the application of the electro spindle in CNC machine tools.

Structure and working principle of electro spindle

The electro spindle is a component that directly integrates the motor inside the spindle. It mainly includes the electro spindle body and its accessories, such as a high-frequency frequency conversion device, oil mist lubricator, cooling device, built-in encoder, and tool changer. The design features of the electro spindle are as follows

Built-in motor: The hollow motor rotor is directly installed on the spindle, and the stator is fixed in the spindle box through a cooling sleeve. After power is turned on, the rotor drives the spindle to rotate, thereby achieving the required working speed and torque.

“Zero transmission” design: The transmission link of belts, gears, or couplings is omitted so that the electro spindle can be directly driven. This design reduces the intermediate transmission device’s complexity and improves the system’s stability and accuracy.

Advantages of the electro spindle

High speed and high precision: Due to the elimination of intermediate speed change and transmission devices, the electro spindle has the characteristics of compact structure, lightweight, low noise, low vibration, and small moment of inertia. It can achieve high speed, acceleration, and fast start and stop at a fixed angle, making it suitable for high-speed cutting and precision machining needs. The electro spindle also uses AC frequency conversion and vector control technology to achieve infinite speed change to meet the needs of various working conditions and load changes.

Modularity and standardization: The built-in motor structure of the electro spindle makes it independent from the transmission system and overall structure of the machine tool to form a fully functional “spindle unit”. This modular design promotes the standardization and serial production of machine tool structures, shortens the R&D and production cycle, and reduces manufacturing costs.

Adapt to the requirements of high-end machine tools: With its excellent performance of high speed and high precision, the electro spindle can meet the special requirements of high-end CNC machine tools (such as parallel motion machine tools, pentahedron machining centers, small and micro hole machining machines) for spindles. This high-performance spindle shows unique advantages in high-precision and high-speed processing.

Features and limitations of mechanical spindles

The mechanical spindle consists of a spindle, bearings, and transmission parts (such as gears or pulleys), and the spindle is driven to rotate by an external motor and an intermediate transmission device. The characteristics of the mechanical spindle include:

Large output torque: The mechanical spindle can provide a large output torque and power through an intermediate transmission device. Generally used in the processing of steel, iron, and other heavy metals

Relatively low speed and accuracy: Due to the existence of an intermediate transmission link, the speed, accuracy, and stability of the mechanical spindle are relatively poor. When running at high speed, it is easy to slip, make loud noises, and vibrate, which affects the processing quality and efficiency.

Conclusion

The electric spindle provides significant technical advantages as the core component of modern CNC machine tools. It overcomes the defects of traditional mechanical spindles at high speeds through the direct drive “zero transmission” design and improves the overall performance of the machine tool. With the development of CNC technology and the increasing demand for high-performance machine tools, the role of electric spindles in improving processing accuracy and efficiency will become increasingly important.

Summary FAQ based on the article

1. What is an electro spindle?

The electro spindle is a new spindle component that directly integrates the motor inside the spindle, providing a “zero transmission” solution to achieve the required working speed and torque through direct drive.

2. What are the main advantages of the electro spindle?

The electro spindle has the advantages of high speed, high precision, low noise, low vibration, small moments of inertia, etc. At the same time, it supports step-less speed change, adapts to various working conditions and load changes, and meets the needs of high-speed cutting and precision machining.

3. How does the electro spindle change the machine tool structure and production mode?

The electro spindle makes the machine tool structure more modular through its built-in motor design, promotes standardization and serial production, shortens the R&D and production cycle, and reduces manufacturing costs.

4. What are the limitations of mechanical spindles?

The speed, accuracy, and stability of the mechanical spindle are relatively poor. When running at high speed, it is easy to slip, make loud noises, and vibrate, which affects the processing quality and efficiency. It can only be used to process hard materials such as heavy metals.

5. What are the applications of electro spindles in high-end CNC machine tools?

Electro spindles are suitable for high-end CNC machine tools like parallel motion machines, pentahedron machining centers, and small and micro-hole machines. They can meet the unique requirements for high speed and high precision.

The application of water-cooled spindles

RicoCNC has a team of professionals who have been engaged in the design, production, sales, and maintenance of electro spindles for many years. Our company accepts the purchase of various types of CNC spindles.

water-cooled CNC spindle motors

air-cooled CNC spindle motors

Edge banding machine spindle motors.

If you need any CNC spindle, please contact us.