Thermal compensation on machine tools

• Grant number: 12/10340-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2012
• End date: September 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Manufacturing Processes
• Principal Investigator: Reginaldo Teixeira Coelho
• Grantee: Julio Sousa Sender
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The increasing use of CNC machine tools to manufacture high precision parts, created the need to reduce intrinsic errors to machining process. Among these errors, the thermally induced are known as the greatest in importance. The complex systematic of these errors comes from the various conditions which the machine may undergo and its complicated structure. The finite element method (FEM) can simulate the distribution of heat and strain through the machine bringing new alternatives for solving the problem. Temperature variations cause errors in the relative position between piece and tool affecting the quality of the final part. This project aims to study and create a system to model these errors in order to enable the development of software in order to reduce them. Reducing these errors is essential to both projects of new machine tools, and for the improvement of machining accuracy in existing machines.