Different Drive Concepts for Different Machine Tool Motions

Here’s a quick look at your options when selecting drives for use in machine tools.

In machine tools, typically the details of the installed drive technology are concealed. In principle, however, there are several possibilities for main, feed and auxiliary drives to carry out the needed machine movements.

Main Drives

Main drives are predominantly closed-loop controlled, electric synchronous, and asynchronous motors. Their applications include kit or housed motors for use in turning, milling and grinding machines as well as in machining centers. The traditional spindle drives with housed motors – mostly air-cooled – are also popular as main drives. In comparison with motor spindles they are less costly when considering the secondary costs of both systems. On the one hand, the interposition of gearboxes enables the rotational speed and torque to be tuned to the machining task. On the other hand the gear boxes cause unwanted radial forces, noise and increased wear. Read more