Automatic compensation of thermal disturbances in machine tools

Abstract

This study deals with a practical method of reducing the effects of thermal disturbances upon the accuracy of machine tools by controlled feed adjustment at the tool. The spatial displacement between the cutting tooI and the workpiece closely correlates with the temperature increase in the machine tool. The equation which describes the relation between the displacement and the temperature for a certain operating condition can be written as a linear combination of temperature values. One of the major conditions for the application of these equations is a good reproducibility of the thermal behaviour. The implementation of this method in a computerized numerical system is very simple. Experiments with lathes have shown that this way leads to reasonable results.