Thermal Behavior of Externally Driven Spindle: Experimental Study and Modelling

Abstract

This paper focuses on model development for computer analysis of the thermal behavior of an externally driven spindle. The aim of the developed model is to enable efficient quantitative estimation of the thermal characteristics of the main spindle unit in an early stage of the development process. The presented work includes an experimental validation of the simulation model using a custom-built test rig. Specifically, the effects of the heat generated in the bearings and the heat flux from the bearing to the adjacent spindle system elements are investigated. Simulation and experimental results are compared and demonstrate good accordance. The proposed model is a useful, efficient and validated tool for quantitative simulation of thermal behavior of a main spindle system.