THERMAL BEHAVIOUR OF MACHINE TOOLS

SUMMARY The theoretical foundations for describing the thermal behaviour of machine tools are collected in the chain of thermal effects. This chain represents the starting-point in planning experimental investigations and in improving thermal behaviour. Results of experimental investigations and compensation methods are given for a turret-lathe, a planning-machine and a knee-type milling-machine with vertical cutter-spindle. The quoted machine tools represent each one of the three structures which differs with regard to the relation between tool and workpiece motion axis. These structures are the axis-oriented (turret-lathe), the plain-orientated (planning-machine) machine tool and the mixed type (knee-type milling-machine). Furthermore, characteristic values describing the thermal behaviour are derived from the chain of thermal effects and the experimental investigations.