Characteristics of a spindle bearing system with a gear located on the bearing span

Abstract

The spindle bearing system is the main source of the total cutting point compliance of machine tool structures. In this work, the static and dynamic characteristics of a spindle bearing system driven by a gear located on the bearing span were investigated using the analytical and finite element methods. Based on the calculated results, a prototype spindle bearing system was manufactured and its static and dynamic characteristics were measured. From the comparison of the experimental results with the calculated results, it was found that the finite element method predicted well the static and dynamic characteristics of the spindle bearing system.