Development and analysis of a consciously designed Joint Interface Module for improvement of a machining system’s dynamic performance

Machining vibrations and dynamic instability of machine tools is an important consideration in machining systems. Common approaches for improving their dynamic performance target either the process, or intelligent, yet complex control systems with actuators. Given that machine tools’ dynamic characteristics are largely defined by the characteristics of the joints, this article proposes a novel concept, attempting to create a new paradigm for improving the dynamic behaviour of machine tools—introducing modular machine tools components (Joint Interface Modules—JIMs) with joints deliberately designed for increasing dynamic stiffness and enhancing damping with the use of viscoelastic materials. Through a systematic model-based design process, a prototype replicating a reference tool holder was constructed exploiting viscoelastic materials and the dynamic response of the machining system was improved as a result of its introduction; in machining experiments, the stability limit was increased from around 2 mm depth of cut to 4 mm depth of cut, without compromising the rigidity of the system or changing the process parameters. The article also includes the results of investigations regarding the introduction of such prototypes in a machine tool and discusses the shortcomings of the stability lobe diagrams as a method for evaluating the performance of machine tool components with viscoelastically treated joints.

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