How a hydrostatic spindle actually works
A hydrostatic spindle floats the shaft on a film of oil supplied at constant pressure. The journal never touches the bearing surface — there is always a few microns of oil between them. Because there is no metal-to-metal contact, three things happen at once: the spindle does not wear, it cannot develop contact deformation, and the oil film soaks up vibration that would otherwise reach the finished surface.
Where it earns its place
On a precision cylindrical grinder, a thread grinder, or a gear grinder, that stability is what holds accuracy at the micron level. The same holds for ultra-precision turning, high-speed finishing, and turn-grind centers where one setup must keep tight tolerances across a long run. Optics and semiconductor equipment rely on the same principle whenever surface quality depends on a vibration-free axis.
Build forms you can specify
We supply turning spindles, grinding and vertical-grinding spindles, high-speed motorized grinding spindles, and universal or work spindles. Drive can be belt, direct, or a built-in motor, chosen against your speed and stiffness target.
Typical capability
| Parameter | Typical capability |
|---|---|
| Radial runout | ≤ 0.1 μm |
| Axial displacement | ≤ 0.1 μm |
| Rotational accuracy | IT6–IT7 |
| Max speed | 3000–24000 rpm (model dependent) |
| Oil-film stiffness | High (N/μm class) |
| Surface finish | Ra 0.4–0.8 μm |
Why shops keep them running
No wear means 7×24 operation without accuracy drift. Circulating oil carries heat away, so the bearing stays thermally stable. Builds can be arranged to your quality system, including ISO 9001 documentation.
Get a specification
Tell us the workpiece material, required accuracy, speed, and mounting envelope. We return a proposal with a confirmed spec sheet. See also our hydrostatic rotary tables and the full hydrostatic product range.
