Abstract
Recently the use of high-speed equipment in machine-tool industry has greatly increased, which requires the development of prognostics and prediction methods on the design stage. Conversion of the test/experiments stage from real to virtual reality will not only significantly reduce the design and manufacturing cost, but will also increase design quality. This paper shows how it is possible to develop the automated system for the design calculations of the air-bearing spindles. First, the general calculation method is introduced. It contains several steps, namely, geometry identification, pressure calculation, stiffiness calculation, dynamics characteristics calculation. For geometry identification reducing spindle shaft to rings was proposed, which helps to automate the calculation process. For pressure calculation the Peshti method was implemented. For stiffiness calculation the analysis was made, which shown the necessity of correct calculation step selection. Then the system of ordinary differential equations containing influence coefficients was evolved, which is used for trjectories calculation. The graphical representation of the calculation results shows the dynamic behavior of the spindle unit concerning various working conditions. Finally, this automated system is illustrated by an example of the air-bearing spindle calculation.
