High Speed Air Power Spindle for Micro-Machining Medical Parts

The RBX12 Air Power Spindle from BIG KAISER Precision Tooling Inc. (Hoffman Estates, IL) is a high-speed air-driven spindle that achieves an impressive variable rotational speed of 100,000 rpm to 120,000 rpm. This new air-driven spindle, produced by BIG Daishowa Seiki, enables existing machines to be cost-effectively upgraded to perform high speed micro-machining in a normal machining center since this tool is driven by air supplied through a stop block or through the machine spindle. Because there is no rotation of the machining center spindle required, your expensive machine tool spindle can be used without wear. Operating at such high speeds helps to improve machining accuracy, enhance surface finish, significantly lengthen tool life, as well as reduce wear on the cutting tool since it will be running at the speeds intended.

High-speed operation also means that processing time can be reduced. In various trials, the RBX12 was able to reduce machining time by more than 300 percent because of higher rotational speed. Due to its ceramic ball bearings and ultra-precise collet system, the runout accuracy of the RBX12 is excellent, which enables ultra-thin wall cutting. The AA-grade Mega Micro Collet guarantees 1 micron runout at the collet nose, and the .004 in collapsibility assures a near-perfect concentric clamping of a micro-tool shank. The RBX12 also minimizes thermal displacement in the Z-axis for top precision – constant at <.001 mm while a standard machining center spindles have up to .012 mm. “For micro-machining applications, the new RBX12 means that companies can get the most out of their existing equipment, achieving ultra-high levels of precision and speed,” says Jack Burley, the vice president of sales and engineering for BIG KAISER.

The RBX12 is available with BCV40, BBT30/40 & HSK-A63/F63/E32 interfaces, and models not requiring a stop block have an extremely small body diameter of Ø32 mm (Ø1.260 in). For further cost savings, automatic tool change is possible.\

BIG KAISER Precision Tooling Inc., 2600 Huntington Boulevard, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192, 224-770-2999, Fax: 224-770-2997, [email protected], www.us.bigkaiser.com.