High Speed, Air-Driven Spindle Technology in Action

Air-driven, high speed spindle technology is well-suited for a variety of workpiece materials and applications. Those applications range from CNC machine tool, robotic and other mounted installations to hand-finishing operations such as deburring. This versatility is demonstrated in a series of videos provided by Air Turbine Tools.

The video above shows a hardened, tool-steel tire mold being milled by a 625JS model air-driven spindle. The spindle rotates a 4-mm tool at 40,000 rpm that is advanced at 1,200 ipm and takes a 0.005-inch depth of cut. Combined with high torque under cutting load, the compact, rigid construction of the spindle is said to enable the programmer to position the head to cut at various angles along the wall of the mold faster while producing a fine finished surface.

In this video, a Fadal VMC uses a 650CAT40TMA spindle to create the logo inlay pocket into the headstock of a Peavey guitar. The wood engraving bit is rotated at 25,000 rpm and advanced at 2,000 ipm with a depth of cut of 0.003 inch into the wood.

Next, the model 725JSL motor-mount spindle with compliance unit shown here is mated to a Fanuc robot to deburr aluminum castings. The deburring tool is rotated at a constant 40,000 rpm and advanced at 5,000 ipm. The compliance unit on the robot enables the possibility to deburr parts with irregular flashes after the initial casting operation. The spindle’s low vibration is said to make it well-suited for such robotic deburring applications.

Finally, here’s an example of a 6-ounce, 0.3-hp 201SV spindle with a point stone tool being used to hand-deburr aluminum castings at a constant rotational speed of 65,000. This model requires just a light touch as its speed does the cutting. The light touch, combined with low vibration and weight, reduces the risk of stress injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome for operators while a brake option stops coast rotation in seconds.