[iyerks]

Can someone explain the difference between axis servo motors and spindle servo motors ? When I look at the spindle servo motor brochures, they talk of laminated yoke, induction servo, etc. etc. What do these all mean ?

I know that the spindle servo has to run at higher speeds compared to normal servos that peak at 3000/4000 rpm.

Thanks in advance.

Iyer

[Al_The_Man]

Spindle servo motors would probably indicate that the spindle is capable of positioning for such things as tool change etc and can be anything from a high quality AC induction motor to almost any other technology, with the right controller and feedback.
Al.

[iyerks]

Thanks, Al.

I understand the servo part, but what I do not is this : you have motors that are called AC servo motors. And you have AC servo spindle motors ? So what is then special that is added to a normal AC servo motor to be able to qualify as "spindle" motor ? Put another way, why cannot we use the normal axis AC servo motor to drive the spindle of a machine tool ?

[Al_The_Man]

To use a AC servo motor, you will need the drive suited to the motor technology, i.e. P.M. motor, either AC sinusoidal or BLDC, with AC induction motors, the spindle drive is made for this technology, an enhanced VFD if you like.
I have used AC servo's and BLDC for a spindle, just a bit more costly.
Al.