Precision design of hydrostatic thrust bearing in rotary table and spindle

Abstract

According to the increasing needs of rotary table and spindle to satisfy high-precision machining requirements, the accuracy of rotary table and spindle becomes an important issue due to the error averaging effect of hydrostatic thrust bearing. The objective of this study is to research a methodology to guide the precision design of hydrostatic thrust bearing in rotary table and spindle. A run-out error model based on error averaging effect is established using the Reynolds equation, pressure boundary conditions, flux continuity equations of pad and dynamic equations of shaft. The axial run-out error and angular error are calculated considering perpendicularity error and flatness error of the components. The simulation results show that the two perpendicularity errors between axis line and thrust bearing bushing surface have same direction, and the axial run-out error could reach to the maximum values. Also, the flatness error of thrust bearing bushing surface has a big influence on axial run-out error. Following the outcomes, the precision design of hydrostatic thrust bearing was conducted. The axial run-out errors of rotary table and spindle with hydrostatic thrust bearing were experimentally studied, and the results have good coherence to the simulation data. The run-out error model is demonstrated to be an effective approach to guide the precision design of hydrostatic thrust bearing in other rotary tables and spindles.