Spindles
Light Industrial Precision Machining Spindles
Light Routing Spindles with
Automatic or Manual Tool Change
Precision That Holds Tolerance
Light industrial machining applications demand repeatable accuracy, refined surface finishes, and long-term dimensional stability. Westwind air bearing spindles deliver sub-micron precision and ultra-smooth rotation for micro-machining, optical component processing, fine milling, finishing operations, and advanced materials machining.
Because there is no mechanical contact, bearing accuracy does not degrade over time, preserving consistent machining quality throughout the spindle’s life cycle.
Stable at Speed
High rotational speed alone does not guarantee machining performance. Air bearing spindles combine minimal radial and axial error motion with superior stiffness, low vibration characteristics, and exceptional thermal stability.
The result is improved tool life, enhanced surface finish quality, and consistent dimensional control — even during prolonged high-speed operation.
Beyond Conventional Bearings
Traditional ball bearing spindles introduce friction, wear, and thermal variability that can compromise precision. Air bearing technology removes those limitations entirely by replacing mechanical contact with a stable air film interface.
Westwind spindle technology combines decades of precision engineering, application-driven design, and manufacturing excellence to deliver performance that remains constant over time.
When accuracy cannot drift and performance must remain uncompromised, air bearing spindles set the standard.
(Internal cross-link opportunity: PCB Drilling | Coating Atomizer Spindles | Air Bearing Spindles Overview)
Overview
Features & Benefits
- Wide speed range up to 125,000 rpm
- Interchangeable collets up to 6 mm diameter without shaft rebalance for flexibility
- Swarf ingress protection with optional radial load limit sensor for increased reliability
- Accurate precision machining is ensured through the front thrust bearing design and liquid cooled body and bearings
- Utilized for a variety of applications including milling and composite routing (CFRP materials), glass grinding (mobile phone/tablet screens), watch-making (brass and aluminum parts), micro-machining (medical and optical components), engraving (non-ferrous parts), EDM electrodes (graphite), and die mould finishing.
A range of high speed, precision machining spindles, specifically designed to match the needs of specialized machine tool OEMs, for use in the fields of glass edge-grinding, micro-machining, composite routing, and die mould finishing.
Unlike ball bearing spindles, the use of non-contact air bearings allows for a large speed range with ultra smooth rotation, low vibration, and a long product life.
Accurate precision machining with controlled depth routing and pocketing is ensured through the front thrust bearing design and liquid cooled body and bearings. This reliable and rugged air bearing spindle delivers swarf ingress protection with an optional radial load limit sensor. A powerful AC motor is utilized with shaft tacho for optimizing feedrates to increase productivity.
D1091
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Speed range | 10,000rpm – 100,000rpm |
| Motor power (max) | |
| Tooling system | |
| Collet sizes | 0.5 to 5mm |
| Bearing air supply pressure | 5.6 kg/cm*2 |
| Bearing air consumption | 39 nl/min |
| Turbine air consumption | 113 nl/min |
| Coolant flowrate | |
| Heat dissipation to coolant (max) | |
| Axial failure load | 75 N |
| Max collet torque with 1/8” bore collet | |
| Max collet torque with 6mm bore collet | |
| Dynamic runout at tool | 10 μm |
| Collet tool runout – max | 0.01mm |
| Motor type | Air turbine |
| Speed sensor (Tacho) – Optional | Hall effect |
| Weight (approx) | 1.1 kg |
| Radial failure load at collet | 35 N @ 100,000 rpm |
M321-Automatic
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Speed range | 10,000rpm – 100,000rpm |
| Motor power (max) | 750 Watts |
| Tooling system | Pnuematic, with interchangeable collets |
| Collet sizes | 1/8”, 3, 4 and 6mm shank dia. |
| Bearing air supply pressure | 5.6 kg/cm*2 |
| Bearing air consumption | 85 nl/min |
| Turbine air consumption | |
| Coolant flowrate | 1.5 l/min (water) or 3 l/min (oil) |
| Heat dissipation to coolant (max) | 640 Watts |
| Axial failure load | 200 N |
| Max collet torque with 1/8” bore collet | 2 Nm |
| Max collet torque with 6mm bore collet | 4 Nm |
| Dynamic runout at tool | 7 μm |
| Collet tool runout – max | |
| Motor type | 3 phase, 2 pole AC |
| Speed sensor (Tacho) – Optional | TTL signal |
| Weight (approx) | 4 kg |
| Radial failure load at collet |
M321-Manual
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Speed range | 10,000rpm – 100,000rpm |
| Motor power (max) | 750 Watts |
| Tooling system | Removeable nut with interchangeable collets |
| Collet sizes | 1/8”, 3, 4 and 6mm shank dia. |
| Bearing air supply pressure | 5.6 kg/cm*2 |
| Bearing air consumption | 85 nl/min |
| Turbine air consumption | |
| Coolant flowrate | 1.5 l/min (water) or 3 l/min (oil) |
| Heat dissipation to coolant (max) | 640 Watts |
| Axial failure load | 200 N |
| Max collet torque with 1/8” bore collet | 2 Nm |
| Max collet torque with 6mm bore collet | 4 Nm |
| Dynamic runout at tool | 10 μm |
| Collet tool runout – max | |
| Motor type | 3 phase, 2 pole AC |
| Speed sensor (Tacho) – Optional | TTL signal |
| Weight (approx) | 4 kg |
| Radial failure load at collet |
M328
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Speed range | 10,000rpm – 125,000rpm |
| Motor power (max) | 750 Watts (peak), 500 Watts (cont.) |
| Tooling system | Pnuematic, with interchangeable collets |
| Collet sizes | 1/8”, 3, 4 and 6mm shank dia. |
| Bearing air supply pressure | 5.6 kg/cm*2 |
| Bearing air consumption | 65 nl/min |
| Turbine air consumption | |
| Coolant flowrate | 1.5 l/min (water) or 3 l/min (oil) |
| Heat dissipation to coolant (max) | 640 Watts |
| Axial failure load | 200 N |
| Max collet torque with 1/8” bore collet | 3.4 Nm |
| Max collet torque with 6mm bore collet | |
| Dynamic runout at tool | 7 μm |
| Collet tool runout – max | |
| Motor type | 3 phase, 2 pole AC |
| Speed sensor (Tacho) – Optional | TTL signal |
| Weight (approx) | 4.7 kg |
| Radial failure load at collet | 80 N (static) |
Choose your version.
D1091 Air Turbine-Driven Air Bearing Spindle
Sample Price (1-9 units)
M321 Light Routing Spindle with Automatic Tool Change
Sample Price (1-9 units)
M321 Light Routing Spindle with Manual Tool Change
Sample Price (1-9 units)
M328 Light Routing Spindle with Automatic Tool Change
Sample Price (1-9 units)
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