Optimal machine tool spindle drive gearbox design

Many machine tools are equipped with a motor-gearbox to extend the constant power range of the machine tool spindle drive motor at low speeds. Currently, in the latest spindle drive motor technology, the gearboxes are integrated in-line between the water-cooled motor and the spindle inside the machine tool’s ram. The functionality of a spindle gearbox depends directly upon its constructional solution, and on the kinetic energy corresponding to this solution. In this work, spindle gearboxes are optimized taking this design factor into account. In the authors’ opinion, the results could be of great interest for spindle drive gearbox manufacturers.