On the stiffness hysteresis of profiled rail guides

Abstract

Profiled rail guides are standard components extensively used in machine tools. While produced and developed further for decades, this paper shows for the first time nonlinear hysteretic behavior in the deflection response to mechanical loading after preload liftoff. We investigate characteristics of the hysteresis by measuring overall deflection as well as strain directly on the raceways and at the flanks. The obtained results are reproducible for different linear guides and on different test benches. Findings are merged into a parametric model, which assumes friction in the rolling element contact as the origin of the phenomenon. The model predicts the measured hysteresis curve well. In addition, an effective compensation method is proposed and successfully employed to reduce hysteresis errors.