Modal analysis of spindles while accounting for system decay and its application to machine tool chatter prevention

This paper investigates the vibrational characteristics of a machining spindle over its life span. The experimental investigation was carried out using tap testing, where the fundamental frequencies of the spindle system were recorded for different spindle categories, namely, ‘production’ and ‘prove-out’ spindles. Focussing on production spindles, the system ageing translated through a reduction in the system’s natural frequency is modelled as changes in the bearings’ stiffness. The experimentally evaluated natural frequencies were then used to calculate the equivalent bearings’ stiffness within the spindle by means of a calibrated dynamic stiffness method (CDSM) at various stages of spindle’s life. A comparison between the stability lobes generated for two different instances in time, in a full slotting cuts process, shows that over the life span of a spindle, the stability lobes would shift sufficiently to cause chatter after initially being stable. Therefore, as the spindle ages, the presented methodology can be exploited to predict the updated machining parameters necessary to avoid unstable chatter conditions.<div><br></div><div>This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-015-6979-4 <br></div>

Modal analysis of spindles while accounting for system decay and its application to machine tool chatter prevention

This paper investigates the vibrational characteristics of a machining spindle over its life span. The experimental investigation was carried out using tap testing, where the fundamental frequencies of the spindle system were recorded for different spindle categories, namely, ‘production’ and ‘prove-out’ spindles. Focussing on production spindles, the system ageing translated through a reduction in the system’s natural frequency is modelled as changes in the bearings’ stiffness. The experimentally evaluated natural frequencies were then used to calculate the equivalent bearings’ stiffness within the spindle by means of a calibrated dynamic stiffness method (CDSM) at various stages of spindle’s life. A comparison between the stability lobes generated for two different instances in time, in a full slotting cuts process, shows that over the life span of a spindle, the stability lobes would shift sufficiently to cause chatter after initially being stable. Therefore, as the spindle ages, the presented methodology can be exploited to predict the updated machining parameters necessary to avoid unstable chatter conditions.<div><br></div><div>This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-015-6979-4 <br></div>

Chatter stability prediction of milling considering nonlinearities

Nonlinearities have been evidenced during the chatter vibration of milling. Machinability of the thin-walled part is feed rate and position-dependent, and is subject to process damping at low cutting speed. Therefore, chatter stability prediction of milling considering nonlinear cutting force, nonlinear structural stiffness and process damping is investigated. The cutting force and stiffness are established based on the polynomial model and the process damping is investigated based on the dissipated energy. The dynamic cutting force and stability lobes are solved in the time domain with coefficients updated at each iteration. By formulating the displacement as an expanded form via the perturbation method, the time-consuming solution of delay differential equations is avoided. After formulating the identification of the nonlinear model via cutting tests and modal tests, numerical simulations considering nonlinearities are carried out and compared with the analytical method. The proposed method attains high accuracy of classic time-domain solution, but with an improved computational efficiency. Finally, cutting tests are conducted to verify the prediction of cutting force and stability lobes.

Stability Analysis of Multi-Discrete Delay Milling with Helix Effects Using a General Order Full-Discretization Method Updated with a Generalized Integral Quadrature

A tensor-based general order full-discretization method is enhanced with the capacity to handle multiple discrete delays and helix effects leading to a unique automated algorithm in the stability analysis of milling process chatter. The automated algorithm is then exploited in investigating the effects of interpolation order of chatter states and helix-induced terms on the convergence of milling stability lobes. The enhanced capacity to handle the distributed helix effects is based on a general order formulation of the Newton-Coates integral quadrature method. Application to benchmark milling models showed that high order methods are necessary for convergence of the low speed domain of stability lobes while all the numerically stable orders converge in the high speed domain where the ultra-high order methods are prone to numerical instability. Also, composite numerical integration of the helix-induced integrand beyond the usual zero-th order method leads to higher accuracy of stability lobes especially in the low speed domain.

Chatter Investigation on Machining of Gray Cast Iron Considering the Damping Effect

In recent years, the study of chatter vibrations has been intensifying in the machining of materials. In this paper an investigation of this phenomena was conducted for gray cast iron (CGI). The chatter vibrations in machining process can considerably compromise the workpiece surface finish, tool wear and in some cases provide severe damage to the machine-tool. Thus there is an imminent need to expand the theory of chatter vibrations for the class of brittle materials. To analyze the vibrations of the process of machining and zones where the process is stable, and where it is unstable, the stability lobes diagram was used. This diagram is constructed at low speed cutting, where the phenomenon of damping arises. The damping is a crucial factor in the process, it increases system stability. This effect was considered in the formulation of chatter vibrations using the indentation model of Wu. For experimental validations the signals of cutting force were acquired and analysis was conducted in frequency domain to identify where the vibrations emerged allied with a roughness analysis of the workpiece. The results demonstrated perfectly the consequences of chatter vibrations in surface finish of grey cast iron and proved that the stability lobes diagram provides good results to detect these vibrations, determining the areas where the material removal should be avoid.

An Investigation of Stability Analysis of Face Milling of Cantilever Plates at Low Cutting Speeds

Considering the production requirement of workpiece optimization in order to reduce mass, the dynamic behavior of a workpiece can be affected. This factor can influence the performance of the milling process due to the occurrence of chatter vibrations. On the other hand, when the recommended cutting speed is relatively low, the tool rubs against the workpiece surface causing process damping. Consequently, the process becomes more stable and hence the depth of cut can be increased. In this paper, the stability of face milling of a cantilever plate at low cutting speed is investigated. The stability lobes diagram is determined numerically considering process damping. Cutting tests are conducted in order to verify the simulated results. An accelerometer is attached to the workpiece and its signal is measured and analyzed. Both workpiece surface and roughness are also investigated. The experimental results show a good agreement with the stability lobes diagram to predict the stable region under process damping. Hence, the depth of cut can be considerably increased, keeping the process stable at low cutting speeds.

Chatter stability and surface location error predictions in milling with mode coupling and process damping

Together with machining chatter, surface location error induced by forced vibration may also inhibit productivity and affect workpiece surface quality in milling process. Addressing these issues needs the combined consideration of stability lobes diagram and surface location error predictions. However, mode coupling and process damping are seldom taken into consideration. In this article, an extended dynamic milling model including mode coupling and process damping is first built based on classical 2-degree-of-freedom dynamic model with regeneration. Then, a second-order semi-discretization method is proposed to simultaneously predict the stability lobes diagram and surface location error by solving this extended dynamic model. The rate of convergence of the proposed method is also investigated. Finally, a series of experiments are conducted to verify the veracity of the extended dynamic model. The modal parameters including direct and cross terms are identified by impact experiments. Via experimental verification, the experimental results show a good correlation with the predicted stability lobes diagram and surface location error based on the extended dynamic model. Also, the effects of mode coupling and process damping are revealed. Mode coupling increases the whole stability region; however, process damping plays a vital role in stability improvement mainly at low spindle speeds.