Real-Time Compensation of Machine Tool Thermal Error Including Cutting Process

The challenge to be addressed by this paper is to extend the common machine tool thermal compensation models considering only internal heat sources to include the effects of the cutting process. Although real-time software compensations of thermal errors exist, the majority of these models only presume machine tools under load-free rotation of the main spindle without any reference to rough machining. The machining process is completely neglected in spite of the fact that it represents a significant heat source and causes workpiece inaccuracy. This paper presents a real-time compensation of three-axis vertical milling centre thermal errors including the cutting process effect. The simulation is based on dynamic modelling using transfer functions. The model was implemented into a standard CNC controller of a three-axis vertical milling centre to compensate for thermal errors in real time. The inputs of the compensation algorithm are the spindle rotational speed, the 5 temperatures of the machine structure and spindle power. A reduction of thermal errors achieved by using the new approximation TF model including cutting process impact is up to 79% for steel cutting tests with different cutting conditions.