Spindle device with state monitoring, and monitoring method and monitoring system therefore

• US 20050160847A1
• Filed: 10/19/2004
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weiss Spindeltechnologie GmbH (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Walter, Rudolf
• Granted Patent: US 7,228,197 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/89.370
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/10 for indicating or measuring cutting speed or number of revolutions
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 17/12 for indicating or measuring vibration
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 5/04 rotary shafts, e.g. working-spindles
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 19/52 with devices affected by abnormal or undesired conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2322/39 General buildup of machine tools, e.g. spindles, slides, actuators
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18688 Limit stop

Abstract

A spindle device for driving a production machine includes a first sensor for detecting a first physical variable of the spindle device, and at least a second sensor for detecting a second physical variable of the spindle device. In this way, it becomes possible to determine the oscillation amplitude of the rotor of a spindle and a temperature profile of a rolling bearing. Monitoring maximum values allows identification of a crash event, whereas the temperature profile allows conclusions as to a need for maintenance. Signal evaluation can take place centrally at the spindle manufacturer'"'"'s end, thereby allowing needed maintenance works to be planned long term and effectively.

Claims

1. A spindle device for driving a production machine, comprising”

a first sensor for detecting a first physical variable of the spindle device; and

at least a second sensor for detecting a second physical variable of the spindle device.

2. The spindle device of claim 1, wherein at least one of first physical variable and second physical variable represents a variable selected from the group consisting of distance traveled, speed, acceleration, and a particular direction component.

3. The spindle device of claim 1, wherein the first physical variable or the second physical variable represents a temperature or a rotation speed.

4. The spindle device of claim 1, and further comprising a spindle housing, said first sensor and said at least one second sensor being arranged in the spindle housing.

5. The spindle device of claim 1, and further comprising a memory for temporarily storing data of the first sensor and the at least one second sensor, and a controller for processing data.

6. The spindle device of claim 5, and further comprising a measuring unit disposed in proximity of a spindle bearing, said first sensor and said at least one second sensor, said memory and said controller being integrated in the measuring unit.

7. The spindle device of claim 1, and further comprising a classification unit for rating a state of the spindle device in response to data from the first sensor and the at least one second sensor.

8. A monitoring system for monitoring at least one spindle device of claim 1, comprising an evaluation unit for determining or predicting a maintenance need of the at least one spindle device.

9. The monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the spindle device includes a temperature sensor for providing data for the evaluation unit which generates a temperature signal in response to the data from the temperature sensor and compares the temperature signal with a limit value for determining the maintenance need.

10. The monitoring system of claim 8, and further comprising a data network, said at least one spindle device and said evaluation unit being operatively connected to the data network.

11. The monitoring system of claim 10, wherein the data network is the Internet.

12. A method of operating a spindle, comprising the steps of:

determining a first set of data in response to a first physical variable of the spindle;

determining a second set of data in response to at least one second physical variable of the spindle; and

operating the spindle and/or controlling an accompanying process in response to the first and second sets of data.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and/or second physical variable represents a variable selected from the group consisting of distance traveled, speed, acceleration, and a particular direction component.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first or second physical variable represents a temperature or rotation speed of the spindle.

15. The method of claim 12, and further comprising the step of temporarily storing the first and second sets of data in the spindle.

16. The method of claim 12, and further comprising the step of pre-processing the temporarily stored first and second sets of data.

17. The method of claim 12, and further comprising the step of classifying a state of the spindle in response to the first and second sets of data.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second sets of data include temperature data, and further comprising the step of comparing the temperature data with a limit value for determining a maintenance need of the spindle.

19. The method of claim 12, and further comprising the step of analyzing data of several spindles in a central evaluation unit.