Thermally Stable: More safety for your rotary axis systems

The companies belonging to Schaeffler Group Industrial are paving the way for a great technological leap for rotary axis systems with a complex internal development project. Rotary axes with direct drives permit considerably higher dynamics with increased limiting speeds and facilitate a forward-looking combination of processing, milling and drilling with additional turning. This means that the range of operations for rotary axes is extended. However, technological leaps also have their price. Thermal effects in particular limit the performance of the system in many cases, as well as the operating safety. Specialists from INA, FAG and IDAM (INA Drives & Mechatronics) have taken on these problems and have found some approaches to solving them. An integrated approach: A thermal approach is required especially when considering fast-turning axis systems, since the performance of the system is not just deter-mined by components such as drives, bearing supports, cooling systems and peripherals such as seals. The mating components are just as important as well as the complex mechanical and thermal interaction of all components in the assembly. A large number of constantly interacting parameters were therefore investigated: bearing frictional power, drive power dissipation, cooling efficiency, thermal conductivity of various materials, and so on. A simulation and testing concept was drawn up and the thermal behavior of rotary axes was calculated under various operating conditions (speeds, acceleration, etc). Temperatures were measured at over 50 reading points in the table, in the bearing and drive and deformation measurements were also taken. In addition, calculation specialists prepared two complex simulation models that began as simple models on the basis of analogies from the electronic engineering department right up to complex FEM models linked to our BEARINX® bearing calculation software. As part of validation testing, all calculation approaches are compared and where possible, the models are then simplified considerably. Customer benefits: Our goal is to provide an engineering tool for customer use that supports the design of highly dynamic rotary axes simply, quickly and cost-effectively. The correct drive, motor and measuring system can therefore be selected due to the acquired data and based on design drafts so that technical performance is achieved reliably and safely. This Schaeffler Engineering expertise combined with sound product knowledge offers the customer shorter development times, lower development risks, more powerful machine tools as well as improved machine availability. In short: more performance and safety for the customer.