Machining of slender workpieces subjected to time-periodic axial force: stability and chatter suppression

Abstract

Chatter suppression is investigated when time-periodic axial load is applied during the turning process of slender workpieces. The Euler–Bernoulli beam theory is used to construct the mathematical model of the workpiece that is clamped at the chuck and pinned at the tailstock. To improve the stability of the turning process, the workpiece is excited by a periodic compressive force with various waveforms like sinusoidal, triangular and square-like ones. These modulations lead to intricate patterns in the stability chart, which are originated in the induced time-periodic variation of the lateral stiffness of the workpiece. It is revealed in a multi-dimensional parameter space that the modulation of the axial force greatly improves the stability properties of turning, which is a realistic option for low cutting speeds.