Highly Accelerated Life Test for High Speed Spindle Reliability

High precision machining tools are one of the key components for modern industry. Machine reliability is therefore highly depended on those components. In this paper, a highly accelerated life test for a high speed spindle was developed in order to improve its reliability. A fundamental analysis of all relevant subsystems and components as well as an analysis of the failure modes and their root causes were implemented based on the provided data. Bearings were found as the major failure mode leading to spindle failure. Hence, the highly accelerated life test for the spindle was designed with different alternatives of bearings parameters. Results indicated that the life time of spindle was significantly altered by changing the bearings parameters. Reducing pre-tightening force and enlarging contact angle of the bearings can help improving the life time of spindle. The highly accelerated life test can be used in future product design to obtain better life time.