Avoidance of collision-caused spindle damages—Challenges, methods and solutions for high dynamic machine tools

There are various reasons for collisions in the machining area during the production process. These collisions often cause damage to the tool, main spindle unit and machine axes. In industry different strategies are pursued to avoid serious and expensive consequences for the machine tool and the production process. This paper presents possible methods and solutions to prevent collisions and collision damages of machine tool components. In the focus of the accomplished considerations is the main spindle unit as one of the main components in the cutting process. A new technical solution for the avoidance of collision damage of motor spindles is introduced in this article. The functionality of the developed system under normal process conditions as well as in collision situations could be proved in various experiments.