Author(s)

A.J. White, S.R. Postlethwaite & D. G. Ford

Abstract

A general purpose thermal error compensation system for CNC machine tools AJ. White, S.R. Postlethwaite & D.G. Ford University of Huddersfield, UK Abstract Thermal effects cause the majority of machining errors on many types of machine tool, with linear expansion and distortion of the structural elements causing unwanted movement between the tool and workpiece. Heat inputs that cause temperature elevation and gradients come from many sources internal and external to the machine tool and make thermal errors difficult to control without some form of compensation. Many thermal error modelling and compensation systems have been proposed which use neural networks, multi-regression analysis, heat modelling or probing techniques. However, each method suffers from one or more major drawbacks that limits its effectiveness when used in a practical machining environment. One feature of all the thermal error compensation techniques is their lack of flexibility that makes them difficult t

Keywords