Method for improving the transient thermal properties of air-lubricated hydrostatic bearings for the main spindles of precision machine tools

A method for improving the transient thermal properties of air-lubricated hydrostatic bearings for the main spindles of precision machine tools, comprising the steps of:

• installing an entire precision machine tool that has a main spindle with an air-lubricated hydrostatic bearing in a temperature-controlled constant-temperature environment, and
• supplying the air-lubricated hydrostatic bearing of said main spindle with lubricating air of a temperature higher than the temperature of said constant-temperature environment from the start of operation of said main spindle until the thermal displacement of said main spindle reaches a previously-determined target value, and
• once the thermal displacement of said main spindle reaches the target value, supplying the air-lubricated hydrostatic bearing of said main spindle with lubricating air of a temperature lower than the temperature of said constant-temperature environment.