New Air Power Spindle Offers Cost-Effective Upgrade for Existing Machining Centers

The RBX12 Air Power Spindle. (Image courtesy of BIG KAISER.) The RBX12 is a high-speed, air-driven spindle with a variable rotational speed of 100,000 – 120,000 RPM. The new spindle from BIG KAISER is intended as a cost-effective option for upgrading existing machining centers to perform high-speed micro-machining operations. This is possible because the tool is driven by air supplied through a stop block or through the machine spindle. The RBX12 features ceramic ball bearings and a precise collet system, giving it significant runout accuracy. BIG KAISER’s proprietary AA-grade Mega Micro Collet offers 1-micron runout at the collet nose. Its 0.004-inch collapsibility is designed for improved concentric clamping of a micro-tool shank. The RBX12 also minimizes thermal displacement in the Z-axis for added precision: less than 0.001 mm compared to 0.012 mm for standard machining center spindles. BIG KAISER claims that operating at such high speeds improves machining accuracy, enhances finish, lengthens tool life and reduces wear on cutting tools. High-speed operation also reduces processing time; the company reported that the RBX12 reduced machining time in various trials by over 300 percent. “For micro-machining applications, the new RBX12 means that companies can get the most out of their existing equipment, achieving ultra-high levels of precision and speed,” said Jack Burley, vice president of sales and engineering for BIG KAISER. For more information, visit BIG KAISER’s website.