On the use of active structural control to enhance the cutting performance of a milling machine

An active structural control system was developed and implemented on a hexapod milling machine to increase metal removal rate of the machine. The control system hardware consisted of dynamic actuators, sensors, processors and a telemetry system. The control law was implemented in software in the control processor. The objective of the control system was to reduce the dynamic response of the milling tool thereby improving its stability and its maximum depth-of-cut. System design including sensor and actuator development was guided using finite element modeling techniques. The components were constructed, and a successful experimental demonstration resulted.