The Science of and Advanced Technology for Cost-Effective Manufacture of High Precision Engineering Products. Volume 4. Thermal Effects on the Accuracy of Numerically Controlled Machine Tools.

Abstract : Thermal effects on the accuracy of numerically controlled machine tools are specially important in the context of unmanned manufacture or under conditions of precision metal cutting. Removal of the operator from the direct control of the metal cutting process has created problems in terms of maintaining accuracy. The objective of this research is to study thermal effects on the accuracy of numerically controlled machine tools. The initial part of the research report is concerned with the analysis of a hypothetical machine. The thermal characteristics of this machine are studied. Numerical methods for evaluating the errors exhibited by the slides of the machine are proposed and the possibility of predicting thermally induced errors by the use of regression equations is investigated. A method for computing the workspace error is also presented. The final part is concerned with the actual measurement of errors on a modern CNC machining center. Thermal influences on the errors is the main objective of the experimental work. Thermal influences on the errors of machine tools are predictable. Techniques for determining thermal effects on machine tools at a design stage are also presented. Keywords: Machine tool design; M/T accuracy; Computer modeling of machine tools; M/T thermal errors; Error models and prediction; Metrology; Automation.