Cutting process dynamics simulation for machine tool structure design

A methodology to simulate the real cutting process dynamics using a finite element structural model and a mechanistic face milling force model is proposed. While the finite element structural model provides an analytic way to assess structural dynamic characteristics, the mechanistic face milling force model calculates the time histories of cutting forces taking many cutting process parameters into consideration and acts as forcing functions to the structural model. The methodology is verified through experimentation. The effects of structural parameters and cutting process parameters on the dynamic behavior of the machine tool structure are also studied. The results indicate that the proposed methodology can greatly enhance the machine tool design process.