Abstract: A high-speed drilling or milling spindle (10) comprises a stator (11) that can be attached to a machine tool (12), a rotor (13), and a rotary drive (40, 41) acting between stator (11) and rotor (13). The rotor (13) has a receptacle (15) for a rotating, metal-cutting tool (16). The rotor (13) is supported with respect to the stator (11) by means of at least a first and a second rolling bearing (22, 32) spaced axially away therefrom. The rotor (13) is supported on thrust and radial bearings. The rolling bearings (22, 32) have a very small thrust angle (24, 34). They essentially act as radial bearings. A third bearing is provided as the thrust bearing in the form of a magnetic bearing (50). The magnetic bearing (50) is adjustable in terms of its axial bearing force as a function of the axial forces (F.sub.a) acting on the tool (16).

Abstract: A blower serves for circulating larger gas volumes, in particular for high-power laser systems operating according to the gas-transportation principle. The blower comprises a radial compressor, having a compressor element extending into a connection duct to blow a gas from a first to a second gas duct. The radial compressor is driven by a vertical shaft which is provided with an axial and radial gas bearing within a gas-tight housing. A gas duct system is provided for supplying lubricating gas to both the axial and the radial gas bearings. The gas duct system is fed by both one of the axial gas bearings and by an external pressure-gas pump. Throttles and adjustable valves are provided at predetermined locations of the gas duct system to establish a predetermined profile of gas pressure in the duct system.

Abstract: A blower is used for circulating larger gas volumes, in particular for high power laser systems which operate according to the gas-transportation principle. The blower comprises a radial feeder being arranged in a connection between two gas ducts. The radial feeder is driven by a vertical shaft, rotating at high rotary speed. In order to permit extremely large gas volumes, typically in the range of several ten thousand cubic meters per hour, to be circulated, the shaft is seated in a pressure-tight housing. Two axially acting seals are arranged on the shaft at a certain distance from the radial feeder. The seals define a pump chamber connected with one of the gas ducts, a lock chamber and a drive chamber. The seal between the lock chamber and the drive chamber comprise an axial upper sliding ring resting elastically on a lower thrust ring.

Abstract: A spindle of a machine tool is mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis. The spindle comprises clamping means for clamping and releasing a tool. An energy accumulator is charged when the tool is not clamped and is at least partly discharged to tighten the clamping means when the tool is clamped. An actuating unit serves to charge the energy accumulator by means of an external force supplied via a connection. To enable employment of the spindle at very high speeds, the actuating unit and the connection are arranged in the rotating part of the spindle. The spindle rotates at at least 30,000 revolutions per minute and the connection is a releasable plug or screw connection.