BIG Kaiser RBX12 air turbine spindle boasts 120,000 rpm

BIG Kaiser’s RBX12 air turbine spindle features a rotational speed of 120,000 rpm. Available in the UK from ITC, the unit enables high speed micro-machining to be performed using a standard machining centre, without the need to purchase a dedicated high speed machine.

The RBX12 fits into a standard machine with BBT30/40 or HSK-E32 and HSK-A63. It has a body diameter of 32 mm.

Due to its ceramic ball bearings, the runout accuracy of the RBX12 is such that it enables ultra-thin wall cutting, says BIG Kaiser. This is supported by a runout measuring system that can detect spindle movement during high speed rotation.

The air turbine ensures that Z-axis thermal expansion is minimised, as the machine spindle remains stationary. Frequently, spindle growth is a feature of machines whose spindles run at high rotation speeds.