Drive solutions for the machine tool industry
Whether a spindle operates precisely and productively is determined not by the motor’s rated power, but by how well it is designed for the actual machining process. This is precisely where ATE comes in.
Where ATE plays a key role in machine tool manufacturing
Main spindles & motor spindles
Main spindles and motor spindles for milling, turning and machining centers
High-speed spindles & micro spindles
High-speed spindles as well as drilling, grinding, and engraving spindles
Feed and positioning drives
Precise and dynamic drives for machine axes
Rotary, Swivel & Torque Direct Drives
Rotary tables, swivel axes and direct drives for 4- and 5-axis machining
Rotor/stator units
Customized motor components for spindles and machine modules
Integrated drive solutions
Motor assemblies and auxiliary units for spindle manufacturers and machine builders
What makes the drive task challenging
The requirements are not derived from catalogue values, but from the machining process. Four factors determine the design.
The speed range, torque curve and power characteristic curve depend directly on the material, tool diameter, cutting speed and machining strategy. A motor for a high-speed spindle operates according to completely different principles to a direct drive for a rotary table. ATE designs for the actual operating window, not for the rated point.
Machines are becoming more compact, whilst power requirements are increasing. The installation space is dictated by the machine architecture – the drive must deliver maximum power within this space whilst maintaining a compact design, low weight and defined cooling capacity.
Acceleration, control quality and torque delivery determine cycle time and process stability. Low inertia, a wide speed control range and precise torque control have a direct impact on productivity – particularly in feed axes, direct drives and motor spindles.
Precision does not arise from mechanics alone. Thermal displacement, cooling design, bearing arrangements and power dissipation all influence dimensional accuracy and surface finish. ATE takes thermal behaviour into account right from the electromagnetic and mechanical design stages.
Standard motors function as long as speed, installation space, cooling, precision and interfaces remain within defined limits. In machine tool manufacturing, the challenges usually arise from a combination of factors: high speed and high run-out, low mass inertia, a compact design and customer-specific interfaces.
Particularly in the case of spindles, rotary axes and direct drives, the motor is no longer a replaceable component, but an integral part of the machine architecture. ATE therefore develops drives tailored to the machine, the process and the operating window.
How ATE approaches such tasks
Clarify requirements
Machining process, speed range, torque requirements, load profile, duty cycle, cooling concept, installation space, bearings, encoder, inverter, mechanical interfaces, target production volumes. The basis of any robust design.Designing the drive
Rotors, stators and windings – for motor spindles, direct drives and torque applications, as synchronous or asynchronous motors, for high-speed operation or as micro-drives. Depending on the project, individual components or a complete motor.Integration into the machine
Spindle concept, shaft integration, bearings, cooling sleeve, encoder, inverter and thermal behaviour are considered as part of the overall system.Preparing for implementation
From functional prototypes through test bench trials and commissioning to series production. Development and manufacture under one roof.What goes into this
Customized motor components for a compact motor spindle
Initial situation: A machine manufacturer is developing a compact machining unit for high speeds and demanding precision machining. Installation space is limited; the spindle must be thermally stable and operate with high dynamics.
ATE solution: Customized rotors, application-specific stators and windings, electromagnetic design and thermal optimisation, tailored to the cooling and sensor systems and to integration into the spindle assembly.
Result: A solution tailored to the application, offering high power density and precise operational behaviour, seamlessly integrated into the spindle assembly.
FAQs
Tailoring drive solutions
Are you developing a spindle, a direct drive, a rotary axis, a torque motor or a machine module with specific requirements regarding speed, precision, cooling or integration?
ATE supports you in the development of customized rotors, stators and electric motors – from prototype to series production.
Call us on
+49 (0) 7561-98248-27
Send us a message to
m.horn(at)ate-system.de