{"id":3329,"date":"2021-06-27T08:05:06","date_gmt":"2021-06-27T08:05:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanta.com\/robotics-automation\/technical-paper\/air-bearing-spindle-installation\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T18:17:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T18:17:46","slug":"air-bearing-spindle-installation","status":"publish","type":"novanta_tech_paper","link":"https:\/\/novanta.com\/robotics-automation\/technical-paper\/air-bearing-spindle-installation\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Bearing Spindle Installation & Operation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Why is Proper Spindle Installation Important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Celera Motion\u2019s Westwind air bearing spindle technology is adopted in many specialized machine tools, robotic automation, and semiconductor processing applications, specifically to achieve higher productivity, greater accuracy, and longer product life. These air bearing spindles offer an oil-free bearing solution, with zero contamination to the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To consistently deliver high performance, air bearing spindles must be correctly installed within the machine, particularly if being used in a dynamic application, such as being mounted in a robotic arm, or in a high speed multi-axis machine tool head. In addition to the mounting of the spindle, all the necessary services to the spindle must be given careful consideration, including the electric drive parameters when installing a motor driven version, and the interaction of the surrounding components on the performance of the spindle. Any deviation from the installation and operating instructions will result in inferior performance and possible spindle damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 1:<\/strong> PCB Drilling & Routing Air Bearing Spindle Installation<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spindle Installation Guidelines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For many high technology industries, Celera Motion\u2019s Westwind air bearing spindle is the perfect solution \u2013 but apart from the more obvious activities of mounting and service connections, there are many design considerations that must be taken into account when incorporating air bearing spindles in the design or upgrade of a high speed or high precision machine. The following guidelines should act as an aid to machine design and problem-solving, where some less obvious effects may be overlooked.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Installation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It should always be remembered that, although robust in operation, an air bearing spindle is a high precision device that requires a similar degree of precision in its attachment to the machine it is being used in. Care should be taken that the method of attaching the spindle to the machine does not create stresses within the structure of the spindle that could lead to imperfect operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A simple first-step method to checking that an installation is satisfactory would be to reduce the bearing air pressure to a low value (0.5 to 1 bar) and checking if the shaft still revolves, by hand, with minimum effort. If the shaft does not revolve freely, this will show there is a major problem. However, this will not show the dynamic problems, such as heat distortion, that could still be present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clamping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Air bearing spindles are manufactured with very fine bearing clearances, and serious damage can occur to the spindle if it is distorted during installation. The spindle body is suitable for location in a linear bearing sleeve or a clamp. Spindles must be rigidly mounted and free from distortion. To achieve this, the following steps should be taken:<\/p>\n\n\n\n