Research on Active Control Method for Thermal Error of Moving-Column Horizontal Machining Centers

Abstract

This paper investigates the thermal characteristics of machine tools under the influence of multiple heat sources and proposes an active temperature control method. The study was conducted under steady-state conditions with a constant feed rate of 10 m/min and no cutting load. First, finite element simulations are performed to analyze the thermal characteristics of the machine tool subjected to internal heat sources, yielding the corresponding temperature and deformation fields. Second, within the tested temperature range, the thermal characteristics are examined with respect to the layout of temperature control devices, and the best-performing layout schemes for the bed and column are determined. Subsequently, the thermal error resulting from the coupling effect of multiple temperature control devices is studied, and an active control strategy is proposed to obtain the best layout configuration within the tested range. Finally, experiments are conducted using a multi-loop differential active temperature control system, and the validity of the proposed method is verified through comparison between simulation and experimental results. The findings demonstrate that the proposed active control method effectively reduces thermal deformation in machine tool structures.