CNC Spindle Bearings

CNC spindle bearings are used in a variety of CNC applications. These bearings come in a variety of sizes and types. They can be paired in a 1:1 ratio, 1.2HP, or 4:1 range. They can also feature back gears and Vari-speed systems.

1.2HP for angular contact ball bearings

The performance of CNC spindle bearings depends on the type of bearings they use. Angular contact ball bearings are an excellent choice for high-performance spindles. They offer high axial and radial stiffness while minimizing turning resistance and heating. Traditionally, commercial spindles have two or more angular contact ball bearings matched in duplex configuration. These bearings are accurate and highly reliable, but the downside is their limited availability.

4:1 range for angular contact ball bearings

In general, angular contact ball bearings are suited for applications where they are mounted one bearing per side, and not asymmetrically. These bearings have a relatively tight contact angle, ranging from about 40 degrees to as much as 80 degrees, and are non-separable, with shoulders on both the inner and outer rings that vary in height. The design of angular contact ball bearings allows the angular contact angle to be set according to the bearing's axial clearance range.

Vari-speed system

A Vari-speed system for CNC spindle-bearings enables machine operators to control the speed of a spinning tool at various speeds. These systems use a programmable digital amplifier and incorporate a spindle speed readout. These systems are designed to integrate with the existing CNC control system. The ABTech Vari-speed systems are available in a variety of configurations and can be easily adapted to meet specific requirements of OEMs.

Back gear

There are several factors that affect the life of CNC spindle bearings. These factors include speeds, lubrication, and size. Computer models are often used to estimate bearing life. Typically, bearings should last between 5000 and 7000 hours.

Size of pulley

One of the first things to consider when installing CNC spindle bearings is the pulley size. There are several different sizes to choose from. A concentric inner race and an outer race can be machined in a single operation. Then the outer race is press-fit into the model spindle.

Thermal effect

Thermal effect of CNC spindle bearings on machine performance can be measured in a variety of ways. The first is by using an infrared camera to take images of the central spindle. This method can help identify the major sources of heat within the spindle. In this case, the bearings were identified as the main heating component. We then arranged four temperature sensors near the bearing and computed their average temperatures. The measurements were repeated 10 times, and the results were then used to create an actual temperature curve (Figure 10).