Manufacturing of a Graphite Epoxy Composite Spindle for a Machine Tool

Abstract

A graphite epoxy composite spindle, designed to increase the dynamic and thermal stability in metal cutting was made and tested at MIT. The vibrational and thermal characteristics of graphite epoxy composite spindle are compared to those of a comparable steel spindle with the same static stiffness. The onset of chatter in cutting tests is also compared to those of the steel spindle. Finally, the dynamic performance of the spindle bearing system is modeled mathematically and discussed in this paper. © 1985 CIRP.