Novel Model Reduction Techniques for Control of Machine Tools

Summary Computational methods for reducing the complexity of Finite Element (FE) models in structural dynamics are usually based on modal analysis. Classical approaches such as modal truncation, static condensation (Craig-Bampton, Guyan), and component mode synthesis (CMS) are available in many CAE tools such as ANSYS. In other disciplines, different techniques for Model Order Reduction (MOR) have been developed in the previous 2 decades. Krylov subspace methods are one possible choice and often lead to much smaller models than modal truncation methods given the same prescribed tolerance threshold. They have become available to ANSYS users through the tool mor4ansys . A disadvantage is that neither modal truncation nor CMS nor Krylov subspace methods preserve properties important to control design. System-theoretic methods like balanced truncation approximation (BTA), on the other hand, are directed towards reduced-order models for use in closedloop control. So far, these methods are considered to be too expensive for large-scale structural models. We show that recent algorithmic advantages lead to MOR methods that are applicable to FE models in structural dynamics and that can easily be integrated into CAE software. We will demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed MOR method based on BTA using a control system including as plant the FE model of a machine tool.