Integrated Dynamic Thermo-Mechanical Modeling of High Speed Spindles, Part 1: Model Development

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive integrated thermo-dynamic model for various high speed spindles. The entire model consists of fully coupled three sub-models: bearing, spindle dynamic and thermal models. Using a finite element approach, a new thermal model has been generated, which can describe complex structures of high-speed motorized spindles, and can predict more accurate temperature distributions. The spindle dynamic model is constructed using finite elements based on Timoshenko beam theory and has been improved by considering shear deformation, material and bearing damping, and the spindle/tool-holder interface. Using the new thermo-dynamic model, more general and detailed bearing configurations can be modeled through a systematic coupling procedure. The thermal expansions of the shaft, housing and bearings are calculated based on predicted temperature distributions and are used to update the bearing preloads depending on the operating conditions, which are again used to update the thermal model. Therefore, the model is fully integrated and can provide solutions in terms of all the design parameters and operating conditions.