Simulation, Experiment and Optimization for Thermal Characteristics of a Machine Tool Spindle System

Abstract

Taking a vertical machining center as an example, thermal characteristics of the spindle system were researched by finite element simulation and experimental test. Firstly, temperature field and thermal deformation of the spindle system were simulated considering boundary conditions of the finite element model, such as heat sources, convective heat transfer coefficients and thermal contact resistances between joints. Accuracy of the simulation was verified compared with test. The results shows that key areas of temperature rise locate at spindle bearing; thermal deformation of Y and Z directions are large; thermal characteristics of the spindle system has little influence on other parts. Thermal characteristics of the spindle system were optimized by changing structures and sizes of the cooling passage located at the headstock, and effectiveness of the optimization was verified by finite element simulation. The research results provide guidance for thermal characteristic simulation and optimization of a machining center.

An improved thermal model for characteristics analysis of multi-link ultra-precision press system

“…Du et al [16] developed a thermal model of the motorized spindle to obtain the steady-state and the transient thermal field distribution and the corresponding expansion under the prescribed thermal load and boundary condition through ANSYS. Li et al [17] established a thermal model of spindle system for machining center to simulate its temperature field and thermal deformation by FEM.…”