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Dr. Scott Smith

Dr. Scott Smith is a professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the William States Lee College of Engineering, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, specializing in machine tool structural dynamics. Contact him via e-mail at [email protected] on the author to view all of their articles!

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Article February 15, 2014 Dr. Scott Smith

Vibrations indicate bearing damage: General Industry Coverage

Many machine tool spindles are supported in the housing by rolling-element bearings. Cutting forces, spindle unbalance and spindle preload impose cyclic loads on the bearing's balls and races. Over time, the cyclic loading produces fatigue failure, damaging the surfaces of races and balls.

Article January 15, 2014 Dr. Scott Smith

Counteracting gravity: General Industry Coverage

The vertical linear axes on machine tools are fundamentally different than those that operate parallel to the ground. This is because the actuators on the vertical axes have to overcome the effects of gravity.

Article December 15, 2013 Dr. Scott Smith

The basics of on-machine probing

Many machine tools are equipped with touch-trigger probes to measure parts while they are still on the machine. The probe is often stored in the tool magazine and can be installed in the spindle like any other tool.

Article October 15, 2013 Dr. Scott Smith

Seals protect spindles from contamination

The Machine Technology column in the October 2013 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering offers guidance for protecting spindles from contamination.

Article September 15, 2013 Dr. Scott Smith

Shrink-Fit Toolholder Fundamentals for CNC Shops

Shrink-fit toolholders can improve grip, balance, and reach, but only when shops manage the full heating, handling, and runout routine correctly.

Article August 15, 2013 Dr. Scott Smith

Spindle bearing preload increases stiffness

Spindle bearings support the spindle in the housing and transmit cutting forces to the machine structure. The bearings are intended to hold the spindle accurately in position.

Article July 15, 2013 Dr. Scott Smith

Minimizing Abbé machine position errors

Two basic strategies exist to minimize the Abbé error in machine tools: eliminate the causes or compensate the result, according to the Machine Technology column in the July 2013 issue of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine.

Article June 15, 2013 Dr. Scott Smith

Managing heat in spindle bearings

Getting a handle on heat in high-speed spindle bearings.

Article May 15, 2013 Dr. Scott Smith

Measuring machine vibration

Measuring machine tool vibration with piezoelectric accelerometers.

Article April 15, 2013 Dr. Scott Smith

Measuring machine errors with a ball bar

A telescoping ball bar is a simple, but useful device that provides a quick and inexpensive way to characterize machine tool errors.

Article March 15, 2013 Dr. Scott Smith

Measuring performance in real time

Real-time measurements during metalcutting can offer significant insight into machine tool performance. The parameters to be measured include position, velocity and acceleration of the axes; cutting force; sound; temperature; and acoustic emission, which is not the same as sound, but rather a high-frequency, structure-borne vibration.

Article February 15, 2013 Dr. Scott Smith

The science of milling sounds

Milling sounds range from loud to quiet, and experienced machinists often use those sounds to judge what is occurring in the cutting zone. It is difficult to position a sensor such as an accelerometer or a displacement probe close to the cutting zone, and it is often a challenge to see the cutting zone, but the sounds are pervasive.

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Dr. Scott Smith

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