Spindle Dynamic & Thermal Analysis System

The Industry's First Low-Cost, Dynamic and High-Performance CNC Thermal Spindle Modeling and Compensation Systems!

• Performs critical evaluation of spindle bearing condition
• Provides real-time analysis of spindle thermal performance
• Thermal analyzer identifies over 50% of machining inaccuracies
• Operates in a production environment

Spindle thermal growth is the largest source of inaccuracies within the machining process, accounting for 50% to 70% of all machining errors. Eliminating these errors can bring dramatic savings and quality improvements to your CNC machining operations. API has developed the industry's first low-cost, dynamic and high-performance thermal spindle modeling and compensation systems specifically for use on machines in the production environment.

Five API high-performance, non-contact gages create the heart of this system. Based on a unique differential measurement principal, these gages provide the wide dynamic measuring ranges and high thermal stability required for this application.

Spindle Dynamic Analyzer

The Spindle Dynamic Analyzer is an advanced capacitance-based (or inductance-based) system designed to measure spindle (axis) rotational errors.

This system can maintain an incredible resolution of 0.1 micron at spindle speeds of up to 60,000 rpm. This API product, being easy to set-up and operate, is an extremely powerful tool for implementing preventive maintenance programs and for identifying spindle bearing problems.

Spindle Thermal Growth Analyzer The Thermal Analyzer measures and analyzes the short and long term growth errors of the spindle in five-degrees-of-freedom (i.e.: pitch, yaw, X-, Y-, and Z-axes). The duration of the test is programmable, ranging from one minute to 48 hours. With this system, you can identify both long and short term instability problems on the shop floor and quality problems before you begin to produce parts. This is the ultimate tool for recognizing and controlling spindle thermal growth. Real-time compensation data for the CNC controller is also provided. With API high-performance sensors in use, the system can analyze the growth in either wet or dry conditions. Since 80% of machining operations are in wet conditions, inductance systems are preferred. Thermal Modeling and Optimization System The system is equipped with 20 magnetic based thermal sensors and the Computer-Aided Sensor Correlation (CASC) software will develop a statistical model that describes the thermal and growth behavior of the spindle. This model can also be used to generate compression data during the machining operation. Automated Precision, Inc. (API), 7901-C Cessna Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20879. Tel: 301-330-8100; Fax: 301-990-8648.