40th International Conference on Production Engineering of Serbia
ICPES 2025
Nis, Serbia, 18-19th september 2025
INFLUENCE OF COOLING FLUID TYPE ON THE TEMPERATURE OF HIGH SPEED MOTORIZED SPINDLE
Miloš Knežev, Cvijetin Mladenovic, Dejan Marinkovic, Aco Antic, Aleksandar Živkovic
DOI: 10.46793/ICPES25.099K
Modern machine tools are expected to deliver significantly higher productivity while minimizing production costs. This requirement has led to the widespread adoption of high-speed machining and the integration of motorized spindles. However, operating at high rotational speeds results in substantial heat generation, which can cause unexpected failures. Therefore, understanding and predicting the thermal behavior of motorized spindles is essential for ensuring operational stability and extending component life. Key sources of heat in motorized spindles include electrical losses within the motor and friction within angular contact ball bearings. To maintain thermal balance, several cooling methods are commonly employed, such as a cooling jacket around the stator, oil mist lubrication, and forced air convection. This paper focuses on the influence of cooling fluid type on the temperature of angular contact ball bearings in a motorized spindle. The cooling system includes a stator cooling jacket, which plays a key role in heat dissipation. A two-dimensional finite element thermal model is developed to simulate heat generation and transfer mechanisms within the spindle assembly. The analysis focuses on temperature distribution in the front and rear bearing regions under two cooling fluid. he simulation results demonstrate noticeable differences in thermal response depending on the coolant type, offering insight into optimal cooling strategies. Water-based cooling shows higher thermal conductivity and efficiency, while oil provides better lubrication and damping characteristics. The study highlights the importance of selecting the appropriate coolant in accordance with spindle design and application requirements. These findings contribute to the ongoing development of more efficient and thermally stable motorized spindle systems for advanced manufacturing.
Motorized spindle, angular contact bearings, thermal analysis, cooling fluid, finite element method
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