This thread is referanced to a previous thread:
MetalWorking Machines >> Benchtop Mills
"High Speed Spindles for SIEG X2 Mill - getting technical"

The thread contributors came up with a lot of great ideas. The ideas focused on high speed hand held routers/carvers/engravers, and pointed to commercial routers. The problem statement identified a source of information "High Speed Spindle Design and Construction" which develops the mechanical critical factors. The number one factor is the bearings, and the criteria are ball material (silicon carbide ceramic), pre load during spindle heating, dynamics, and cooling alternatives. Two configurations were developed in the article - belt drive (limited to 20,000 rpm max), and built in motor (good to over 50,000 rpm). Oh by the way high speed spindles are deadly, and the machine must be incased in a bullet proof "box". 5,000 rpm is considered a high speed spindle.

So what am I getting at. The solutions pointed at commercial high speed spindle systems costing $2,000 to $5,000 --- and hobbyist hand held high speed integral motor "spindles" costing $500 to $1,000.

There has got to be something in between. Taking a look at the Roland milling and engraving MDX-500, with spindle speeds of 3,000 to 12,000 rpm for high torque milling (~$800 spindle), and 5,000 to 20,000 rpm for engraving (~$1,700 spindle) -- the spindle motor and spindle assembly look small. Belt or gear driven, no spindle collant system, good duty cycle capability, and tried and proven technology.

My question is: what motor and controller system would be used to turn a low inertia spindle, with 1/8" to 3/8" engraving bits, continuous duty cycle at 15,000 rpm for 5 hours per engraving job?

AC or DC motor, what kind? How would you controll the speed? Can such a motor run continuously for 5 hours under load at 15,000 rpm?

Some body must have done this. I seem to know that commercial routers run at these high speeds, under very punishing loads, for long duty cycles. Can anyone suggest a commercial router for $500 to $1,000 that has an ER collet system, that can run continuously for 5 hours under load?

Thanks for your help.

Whelen

Outline of the information on the MetalWorking Machines >> Benchtop Mills
thread "High Speed Spindle for SIEG X2 Mill - getting Technical"

Description of the bench top mill that is being converted to CNC
Brainingstorming - PROXXON Micro MILL MF70 spindle head
Torque equation - machining
Torque equation - motor
Spindle price points
Article, url for "High Speed Spindle Design and Construction"
Motor ???????????????????????? Where's the motor and controller?
Flashcut CNC "spindle" price points
Toolswitch "spindle"
Cncmasters "spindle"
Air motor spindle
Roland MDX-500 engraver and milling
High speed spindel - deadly danger !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many feeds and speeds urls, some high speed machining
High speed machining - metals - soft to hard
High speed machining of soft and hard plastics