• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.310-316
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• 2019

This paper presents two methods for designing a high-speed air spindle operated over the rotational speed of 50,000 rpm. The first method is an approximate method, which assumes a symmetric spindle shape even though it is not symmetric in reality. The second is an analysis of rotordynamics using beam and solid models. The approximate method can be used to calculate the bearing load capacities, stiffness and damping coefficients, stability of the shaft system, and response of the forced excitation from the unbalanced mass. Designers can use this method to determine the dimensions of the desired spindle at the first stage of the design. The more detailed behavior of the spindle can be calculated using the rotordynamics theory using beam and solid models based on the Finite Element Method. In this paper, a spindle, with two air bearings, one motor at the end, and two air thrust bearings, is newly developed. The solutions from the two rotordynamics theories are compared with the solution obtained using the approximate method. The three calculations are in agreement, and the procedure for the design of a spindle system, supported on the externally pressurized air bearings, ispresented and discussed.