Abstract
The ball screws are the machine component most frequently used for transforming rotational into linear motion of a feed drive, to position the machine tool components carrying the cutting tool to the desired location. A failure of the ball screw usually leads to a total breakdown of the axis; therefore, the attainable life of this component is an important issue concerning the availability and productivity of modern machine tools. This article presents an approach to evaluate the influence of control parameters on the fatigue life of ball screws based on simulation, by means of a numerical model of a machine tool servo-axis. Ball screw life was evaluated with different conditions, varying the position loop main proportional gain and the kinematic limit conditions for trajectory generation. Furthermore, the mathematical model was used to evaluate optimal control gain and trajectory conditions for a machine tool based on the achievable life span of the ball screw feed drive system, with regard to the desirable performances, such as position accuracy, promptness, and cutoff frequency.
Highlights
The industry demand for increasing productivity has always been crucial for the evolution of computer numerical control (CNC) machines, which are required with high precision and short production times
A variation in machine performances is made possible by having a tool path generation with higher limited kinematic parameters and by setting the axis position control loop with a higher proportional gain
If higher performances are required, it is important to evaluate the operational life reduction of the ball screws for the machine tool, since a failure of the ball screw usually leads to a total breakdown of the axis, causing downtimes for production.[2]
Summary
The industry demand for increasing productivity has always been crucial for the evolution of computer numerical control (CNC) machines, which are required with high precision and short production times. Several reference trajectories for the axis were generated with a time-optimal algorithm upon combining different limit conditions on maximum jerk, acceleration, velocity, and stroke.[11,12] By combining reference motion profiles with a virtual NC, the motions carried out while running an NC program can be simulated, and the corresponding forces acting on the ball screw can be computed.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
