Machine tool contacts must be represented accurately for reliable prediction of machine behavior. In structural optimization problems, contact constraints are represented as an additional minimization problem based on computational contact mechanics theory. An accurate contact constraint representation is challenging for structural optimization problems: (i) “No penetration” rule dictated by Hertz-Signorini-Moreau (HSM) conditions at contacts is satisfied by varying the contact stiffness during a finite element (FE) solution without control of a user which causes increased contact stiffness “erroneously” to avoid penetration of contacting node pairs in an FE solution; and (ii) the reliability of solutions varies according to the chosen computational contact method. This paper is devoted to the topology optimization of machine tools with contact constraints. A hybrid approach is followed that combines the computational contact problem framework and an obtained stable contact stiffness function (analytically or experimentally). According to the proposed method, the existing optimization problem in FE literature is restated in a reliable form for machine tool applications. To avoid the existing computational challenges and reliability problems, contact forces are directly mapped onto an FE model used in the restated topology optimization problem with the help of proposed method. In this study, the existing and the proposed methods for contact are investigated by means of the solid isotropic material with penalization model (SIMP) algorithm for topology optimization. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by comparing the experimental measurements on a prototype machine tool manufactured according to the optimization solutions of the proposed method and those of a conventional machine tool.
In this study, design and analysis of a gantry-type 5-axis CNC machine tool is presented with experimental results on a manufactured prototype. Critical points in the design of a large-scaled and heavy-duty machine tool is discussed. Moreover, FE analysis results is also presented with detailed discussion. The measurement results on structural dynamics is shown together with the FE results. Furthermore, the final performance of the machine tool is demonstrated thorough position and velocity measurements of the axes.
Continuous rotation of spindle bearings and motor cause thermally induced structural deformations and thermal growth, which is one of the main reasons for machining errors. A positive feedback loop between bearing preload and heat generation causes preload variations in spindle bearings. These preload variations demonstrate a nonlinear transient behavior until the gradual expansion of outer bearing rings after which the thermally induced preload variation behaves steadily. In this study, a Finite Element (FE) framework is presented for predicting steady preload variation on spindle bearings. The method involves a thermal loading model and a transient contact analysis. In the contact analysis phase bearing contact deformations (penetration and sliding) and pressure are predicted by considering contact algorithms in an FE software. A transient spindle simulation in FE is employed to predict the bearing temperature and thermal spindle growth by using the proposed method. The performance of the method is demonstrated on a spindle prototype through bearing temperature and thermal deformation measurements. Results show that the proposed method can be a useful tool for spindle design and improvements due to its promising results and speed without the need for tests.
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