A Summary of the Theory on Machine Tool Chatter

Abstract

During machining process, vibration may be generated, that is, besides nominal cutting motion, there is also a periodical motion superposed between cutter and work-piece. Cutting vibration may lead to a series of undesirable effects, and sometimes, may cause serious results. First of all, the relative motion between the cutter and the work-piece will deteriorate the surface quality of machined parts, affect the performance of the parts, and shorten their life. Secondly, while vibrating, the real instantaneous thickness of cut may fluctuate about the set nominal thickness of cut. And this leads to a periodical alternating dynamic cutting force, the amplitude of it is even bigger than the static cutting force. This alternating dynamic cutting force alternating makes the working portion of the tool fatigued, causes tool tip breaking, and speeds up the wear of the machine tool parts, makes the connections between parts loose, and the machine tool thus loses its precision. In addition, severe vibration also generates big noise, pollutes the environment and hazards operator’s health. The vibration has frequently become one of the main barriers, which limits the productivity. In this Chapter, the outline of linear theory of machine tool chatter are briefly introduced as the foundation necessary for readers to understand the author’s research achievements of non-linear chatter theory, which will be explained in next chapters.