Design and fabrication of a device to characterize spindle performance as a function of bearing preload

This paper describes the design and fabrication of an apparatus to characterize the performance of lathe spindles as a function of spindle bearing preload. The apparatus will be used to assist undergraduate students enrolled in 2.72 in understanding mechanical design concepts. In order to assess spindle performance, the apparatus measures the radial stiffness, radial error motion, and running torque of a spindle at different preload levels. The data obtained using the apparatus can be used by students to select the optimal preload level for a spindle. The apparatus was designed as four subsystems (one for each measurement) that were integrated into a cohesive measurement system. The apparatus is designed to be as small, light, and user-friendly as possible, in order for students to use it effectively. The apparatus is capable of measuring bearing preload up to 10,000 lbs with a linearity of 0.05% and radial error motion with an accuracy of +/-0.00012 in. (3 [mu]m). It can measure the radial stiffness of the spindle for applied loads up to 500 lbs and running torque up to 443 in-lbs (50 N-m). The fabrication and assembly of the mechanical apparatus, as designed, were completed.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Turk, Amanda C. (Amanda Christine)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Martin Culpepper.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/75453

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/75453