Improvement of boring operations by means of mode coupling effect

Boring bars are inherently slender tools which are prone to show chatter problems due to their low dynamic stiffness and damping, being this problem their main limitation in productivity. The onset of chatter is mainly related to the dynamic stiffness of the bending mode of the boring bar when the length L to dia-meter D ratio is higher than 4. Tuned mass dampers (TMD) are effective technical solutions to increase the dynamic stiffness of large ratio boring bars. However, there are many applications where 4-6 L/D ratio tools are required, and the avoidance of chatter without the application of TMDs is interesting due to the high cost of damped tools. This work proposes the use of mode coupling effect to increase the damping and stabilise the machining process avoiding the use of any special device. This effect occurs when the fre-quency of one of the machine's modes is similar to the frequency of the dominant mode of the boring bar. As a result, the shape of the critical mode of the boring bar is mixed with the mode originated in the machine, and the damping and stability will be higher than the one that is not subjected to any dynamic coupling. The main contribution of this work is the application of this concept to increase stability in boring operations. This objective has been achieved by optimising the tool length and material by means of a dynamic model based on Receptance Coupling Substructure Analysis (RCSA). The model combines an analytical model of the elastic body of the boring bar with the experimental characterisation of the effect of the rest of the machine. This way, the shape and materials of the boring bar can be optimised to create an increase of damping. The optimisation procedure has been experimentally validated resulting in an increase of cutting stability and demonstrating that not always a shorter bar supposes a higher stability.The authors thank the collaboration of Markel Sanz from IDEKO. This work has been supported by EUROSTARS FORTH E!12998 pro-ject and the EU Horizon 2020 InterQ project (958357/H2020-EU.2.1.5.1)

Study and Development of Mechatronic Devices and Machine Learning Schemes for Industrial Applications

Obiettivo del presente progetto di dottorato è lo studio e sviluppo di sistemi meccatronici e di modelli machine learning per macchine operatrici e celle robotizzate al fine di incrementarne le prestazioni operative e gestionali. Le pressanti esigenze del mercato hanno imposto lavorazioni con livelli di accuratezza sempre più elevati, tempi di risposta e di produzione ridotti e a costi contenuti. In questo contesto nasce il progetto di dottorato, focalizzato su applicazioni di lavorazioni meccaniche (e.g. fresatura), che includono sistemi complessi quali, ad esempio, macchine a 5 assi e, tipicamente, robot industriali, il cui utilizzo varia a seconda dell’impiego. Oltre alle specifiche problematiche delle lavorazioni, si deve anche considerare l’interazione macchina-robot per permettere un’efficiente capacità e gestione dell’intero impianto. La complessità di questo scenario può evidenziare sia specifiche problematiche inerenti alle lavorazioni (e.g. vibrazioni) sia inefficienze più generali che riguardano l’impianto produttivo (e.g. asservimento delle macchine con robot, consumo energetico). Vista la vastità della tematica, il progetto si è suddiviso in due parti, lo studio e sviluppo di due specifici dispositivi meccatronici, basati sull’impiego di attuatori piezoelettrici, che puntano principalmente alla compensazione di vibrazioni indotte dal processo di lavorazione, e l’integrazione di robot per l’asservimento di macchine utensili in celle robotizzate, impiegando modelli di machine learning per definire le traiettorie ed i punti di raggiungibilità del robot, al fine di migliorarne l’accuratezza del posizionamento del pezzo in diverse condizioni. In conclusione, la presente tesi vuole proporre soluzioni meccatroniche e di machine learning per incrementare le prestazioni di macchine e sistemi robotizzati convenzionali. I sistemi studiati possono essere integrati in celle robotizzate, focalizzandosi sia su problematiche specifiche delle lavorazioni in macchine operatrici sia su problematiche a livello di impianto robot-macchina. Le ricerche hanno riguardato un’approfondita valutazione dello stato dell’arte, la definizione dei modelli teorici, la progettazione funzionale e l’identificazione delle criticità del design dei prototipi, la realizzazione delle simulazioni e delle prove sperimentali e l’analisi dei risultati.The aim of this Ph.D. project is the study and development of mechatronic systems and machine learning models for machine tools and robotic applications to improve their performances. The industrial demands have imposed an ever-increasing accuracy and efficiency requirement whilst constraining the cost. In this context, this project focuses on machining processes (e.g. milling) that include complex systems such as 5-axes machine tool and industrial robots, employed for various applications. Beside the issues related to the machining process itself, the interaction between the machining centre and the robot must be considered for the complete industrial plant’s improvement. This scenario´s complexity depicts both specific machining problematics (e.g. vibrations) and more general issues related to the complete plant, such as machine tending with an industrial robot and energy consumption. Regarding the immensity of this area, this project is divided in two parts, the study and development of two mechatronic devices, based on piezoelectric stack actuators, for the active vibration control during the machining process, and the robot machine tending within the robotic cell, employing machine learning schemes for the trajectory definition and robot reachability to improve the corresponding positioning accuracy. In conclusion, this thesis aims to provide a set of solutions, based on mechatronic devices and machine learning schemes, to improve the conventional machining centre and the robotic systems performances. The studied systems can be integrated within a robotic cell, focusing on issues related to the specific machining process and to the interaction between robot-machining centre. This research required a thorough study of the state-of-the-art, the formulation of theoretical models, the functional design development, the identification of the critical aspects in the prototype designs, the simulation and experimental campaigns, and the analysis of the obtained results

Active chatter control in high-speed milling processes

In present day manufacturing industry, an increasing demand for highprecision products at a high productivity level is seen. High-speed milling is a manufacturing technique which is commonly exploited to produce highprecision parts at a high productivity level for the aeroplane, automotive and mould and dies industry. The performance of a manufacturing process such as high-speed milling, indicated by the material removal rate, is limited by the occurrence of a dynamic instability phenomenon called chatter. The occurrence of chatter results in an inferior workpiece quality due to heavy vibrations of the cutter. Moreover, a high level of noise is produced and the tool wears out rapidly. Although different types of chatter exist, regenerative chatter is recognised as the most prevalent type of chatter. The occurrence of (regenerative) chatter has such a devastating effect on workpiece quality and tool wear that it should be avoidedat all times. The occurrence of chatter can be visualised in so-called stability lobes diagrams (sld). In an sld the chatter stability boundary between a stable cut (i.e. without chatter) and an unstable cut (i.e. with chatter) is visualised in terms of spindle speed and depth of cut. Using the information gathered in a sld, the machinist can select a chatter free operating point. In this thesis two problems are tackled. Firstly, due to e.g. heating of the spindle, tool wear, etc., the sld may vary in time. Consequently, a stable working point that was originally chosen by the machinist may become unstable. This requires a (controlled) adaptation of process parameters such that stability of the milling process is ensured (i.e. chatter is avoided) even under such changing process conditions. Secondly, the ever increasing demand for high-precision products at a high productivity level requires dedicated shaping of the chatter stability boundary. Such shaping of the sld should render working points (in terms of spindle speed and depth of cut) of high productivity feasible, while avoiding chatter. These problems require the design of dedicated control strategies that ensure stable high-speed milling operations with increased performance. In this work, two chatter control strategies are developed that guarantee high-speed chatter-free machining operations. The goal of the two chatter control strategies is, however, different. The first chatter control strategy guarantees chatter-free high-speed milling operations by automatic adaptation of spindle speed and feed (i.e. the feed is not stopped during the spindle speed transition). In this way, the high-speed milling process will remain stable despite changes in the process, e.g. due to heating of the spindle, tool wear, etc. To do so, an accurate and fast chatter detection algorithm is presented which predicts the occurrence of chatter before chatter marks are visible on the workpiece. Once the onset of chatter is detected, the developed controller adapts the spindle speed and feed such that a new chatter-free working point is attained. Experimental results confirm that by using this control strategy chatter-free machining is ensured. It is also shown experimentally that the detection algorithm is able to detect chatter before it is fully developed. Furthermore, the control strategy ensures that chatter is avoided, thereby ensuring a robust machining operation and a high surface quality. The second chatter control strategy is developed to design controllers that guarantee chatter-free cutting operations in an a priori defined range of process parameters (spindle speed and depth of cut) such that a higher productivity can be attained. Current (active) chatter control strategies for the milling process cannot provide such a strong guarantee of a priori stability for a predefined range of working points. The methodology is based on a robust control approach using µ-synthesis, where the most important process parameters (spindle speed and depth of cut) are treated as uncertainties. The proposed methodology will allow the machinist to define a desired working range (in spindle speed and depth of cut) and lift the sld locally in a dedicated fashion. Finally, experiments have been performed to validate the working principle of the active chatter control strategy in practice. Hereto, a milling spindle with an integrated active magnetic bearing is considered. Based on the obtained experimental results, it can be stated that the active chatter control methodology, as presented in this thesis, can indeed be applied to design controllers, which alter the sld such that a pre-defined domain of working points is stabilised. Results from milling tests underline this conclusion. By using the active chatter controller working points with a higher material removal rate become feasible while avoiding chatter. To summarise, the control strategies developed in this thesis, ensure robust chatter-free high-speed milling operations where, by dedicated shaping of the chatter stability boundary, working points with a higher productivity are attained

Conference on Thermal Issues in Machine Tools: Proceedings

Inhomogeneous and changing temperature distributions in machine tools lead to sometimes considerable quality problems in the manufacturing process. In addition, the switching on and off of aggregates, for example, leads to further fluctuations in the temperature field of machine tools. More than 100 specialists discussed these and other topics from the field of thermal research at the 1st Conference on Termal Issues in Machine Tools in Dresden from 22 to 23 March.:Efficient modelling and computation of structure-variable thermal behavior of machine tools S. Schroeder, A. Galant, B. Kauschinger, M. Beitelschmidt Parameter identification software for various thermal model types B. Hensel, S. Schroeder, K. Kabitzsch Minimising thermal error issues on turning centre M. Mareš, O. Horejš, J. Hornych The methods for controlled thermal deformations in machine tools A. P. Kuznetsov, H.-J. Koriath, A.O. Dorozhko Efficient FE-modelling of the thermo-elastic behaviour of a machine tool slide in lightweight design C. Peukert, J. Müller, M. Merx, A. Galant, A. Fickert, B. Zhou, S. Städtler, S. Ihlenfeldt, M. Beitelschmidt Development of a dynamic model for simulation of a thermoelectric self-cooling system for linear direct drives in machine tools E. Uhlmann, L. Prasol, S.Thom, S. Salein, R. Wiese System modelling and control concepts of different cooling system structures for machine tools J. Popken, L. Shabi, J. Weber, J. Weber The electric drive as a thermo-energetic black box S. Winkler, R. Werner Thermal error compensation on linear direct drive based on latent heat storage I. Voigt, S. Winkler, R. Werner, A. Bucht, W.-G. Drossel Industrial relevance and causes of thermal issues in machine tools M. Putz, C. Richter, J. Regel, M. Bräunig Clustering by optimal subsets to describe environment interdependencies J. Glänzel, R. Unger, S. Ihlenfeldt Using meta models for enclosures in machine tools F. Pavliček, D. P. Pamies, J. Mayr, S. Züst, P. Blaser, P. Hernández-Becerro, K. Wegener Model order reduction of thermal models of machine tools with varying boundary conditions P. Hernández-Becerro, J. Mayr, P. Blaser, F. Pavliček, K. Wegener Effectiveness of modelling the thermal behaviour of the ball screw unit with moving heat sources taken into account J. Jedrzejewski, Z. Kowal, W. Kwasny, Z. Winiarski Analyzing and optimizing the fluidic tempering of machine tool frames A. Hellmich, J. Glänzel, A. Pierer Thermo-mechanical interactions in hot stamping L. Penter, N. Pierschel Experimental analysis of the heat flux into the grinding tool in creep feed grinding with CBN abrasives C. Wrobel, D. Trauth, P. Mattfeld, F. Klocke Development of multidimensional characteristic diagrams for the real-time correction of thermally caused TCP-displacements in precise machining M. Putz, C. Oppermann, M. Bräunig Measurement of near cutting edge temperatures in the single point diamond turning process E. Uhlmann, D. Oberschmidt, S. Frenzel, J. Polte Investigation of heat flows during the milling processes through infrared thermography and inverse modelling T. Helmig, T. Augspurger, Y. Frekers, B. Döbbeler, F. Klocke, R. Kneer Thermally induced displacements of machine tool structure, tool and workpiece due to cutting processes O. Horejš, M. Mareš, J. Hornych A new calibration approach for a grey-box model for thermal error compensation of a C-Axis C. Brecher, R. Spierling, M. Fey Investigation of passive torque of oil-air lubricated angular contact ball bearing and its modelling J. Kekula, M. Sulitka, P. Kolář, P. Kohút, J. Shim, C. H. Park, J. Hwang Cooling strategy for motorized spindle based on energy and power criterion to reduce thermal errors S. Grama, A. N. Badhe, A. Mathur Cooling potential of heat pipes and heat exchangers within a machine tool spindleo B. Denkena, B. Bergman, H. Klemme, D. Dahlmann Structure model based correction of machine tools X. Thiem, B. Kauschinger, S. Ihlenfeldt Optimal temperature probe location for the compensation of transient thermal errors G. Aguirre, J. Cilla, J. Otaegi, H. Urreta Adaptive learning control for thermal error compensation on 5-axis machine tools with sudden boundary condition changes P. Blaser, J. Mayr, F. Pavliček, P. Hernández-Becerro, K. Wegener Hybrid correction of thermal errors using temperature and deformation sensors C. Naumann, C. Brecher, C. Baum, F. Tzanetos, S. Ihlenfeldt, M. Putz Optimal sensor placement based on model order reduction P. Benner, R. Herzog, N. Lang, I. Riedel, J. Saak Workpiece temperature measurement and stabilization prior to dimensional measurement N. S. Mian, S. Fletcher, A. P. Longstaff Measurement of test pieces for thermal induced displacements on milling machines H. Höfer, H. Wiemer Model reduction for thermally induced deformation compensation of metrology frames J. v. d. Boom Local heat transfer measurement A. Kuntze, S. Odenbach, W. Uffrecht Thermal error compensation of 5-axis machine tools using a staggered modelling approach J. Mayr, T. Tiberini. P. Blaser, K. Wegener Design of a Photogrammetric Measurement System for Displacement and Deformation on Machine Tools M. Riedel, J. Deutsch, J. Müller. S. Ihlenfeldt Thermography on Machine Tools M. Riedel, J. Deutsch, J. Müller, S. Ihlenfeldt Test piece for thermal investigations of 5-axis machine tolls by on-machine measurement M. Wiesener. P. Blaser, S. Böhl, J. Mayr, K. Wegene

Robuste Regelung aktiver Rotoren: Unsicherheitsbeschreibungen in der µ-Synthese

Für schnelldrehende rotordynamische Systeme stoßen passive Maßnahmen zur Reduktion von Biegeschwingungen in extremen Anwendungsfällen an Grenzen, so dass aktive Maßnahmen eine vielversprechende Alternative darstellen. Die Dynamik der Biegeschwingungen ist dabei oftmals stark von der Rotordrehzahl abhängig. Dies ist meist auf Einflüsse von hydrodynamischen Schmierfilmen in Gleitlagern sowie auf den gyroskopischen Effekt zurückzuführen. Regelungen zur aktiven Schwingungsreduktion müssen die drehzahlabhängige Systemdynamik berücksichtigen, wenn robuste Stabilität und Performance gefordert sind. Eine Analyse robuster Regelverfahren zeigt die Eignung der µ-Synthese zum Reglerentwurf für unsichere, elastische Strukturen. Anwendungen der µ-Synthese für hydrodynamisch gelagerte Rotoren sind bisher nicht bekannt und verfügbare Veröffentlichungen zur Anwendung auf Rotoren mit gyroskopischem Effekt erreichen nur geringe Robustheit. Die vorliegende Arbeit präsentiert daher übertragbare Methodiken zum robusten Reglerentwurf mittels µ-Synthese für drei verschiedene Anwendungsfälle anhand von repräsentativen Rotor-Prüfständen. Der erste Reglerentwurf dient der Unterdrückung von Oil Whip-Instabilitäten, die beim Einsatz von Gleitlagern für elastische Rotoren durch Destabilisierung der ersten Biegemode entstehen. Es wird gezeigt, dass deutliche Vereinfachungen für das dynamische Modell getroffen werden können. So kann die µ-Synthese ohne weitere Anpassungen zum Reglerentwurf verwendet werden. Bei einem zweiten Reglerentwurf für hydrodynamisch gelagerte Rotoren mit stark ausgeprägten Oil Whirl-Schwingungen sind einige der zuvor getroffenen Vereinfachungen nicht zulässig. Zudem ergibt die starke Veränderung der Eigenfrequenz einer speziellen Eigenmode eine große Robustheitsanforderung. Modale Unsicherheiten, die deutlich größer als in bekannten Anwendungsfällen sind, werden hier spezifisch eingestellt, so dass ein robuster Reglerentwurf erfolgreich durchgeführt werden kann. Für den dritten Reglerentwurf zur Berücksichtigung gyroskopischer Unsicherheiten sind die Dynamikveränderungen des untersuchten Rotorsystems besonders stark. Eine effiziente Unsicherheitsbeschreibung ist dabei nur über eine direkte mathematische Beschreibung der Gyroskopie möglich. Um diese ohne Konservativität einzustellen, werden reelle Unsicherheiten verwendet. Lösungsverfahren zur Behandlung dieser Unsicherheiten sind jedoch oft nicht zuverlässig, so dass bisher kein erfolgreicher Entwurf möglich war. Um dennoch eine Lösung mit der sog. DK-Iteration zu ermöglichen, werden die Unsicherheitsbereiche daher stets um komplexe Werte erweitert. Diese Konservativität wird mit der hier entwickelten Entwurfsmethodik überwunden, so dass ein Regler mit robuster Stabilität und Performance für den gesamten Drehzahlbetriebsbereich entworfen werden kann. Die vorgestellte Methodik umfasst eine Modellierung mit minimaler Unsicherheitsstruktur sowie eine Synthese mit einer optimierten Version der sog. µK-Iteration. Dies ermöglicht erstmals einen Entwurf mit reellen gyroskopischen Unsicherheiten. Der Entwurf zeigt, dass eine robuste Reglersynthese für elastische Strukturen mit großen, reellen Unsicherheiten möglich ist und leistet somit einen allgemeinen Beitrag zur robusten Regelung