Finite element modelling of ball screw feed drive systems

For full realization of the feasible drive performance on machine tools, the dynamic behaviour of the entire mechatronic system must be analysed and optimized integrally during design of the machine. To permit complete modelling of the machine tool frame structure with integral ball screw feed drive systems by means of the finite element method (FEM) a specific model approach for ball screw drives is presented, which is a prerequisite for the FEM modelling of a complete machine tool based on feed drives of this type. The feed axis of a feed drives test station serves here as an example for demonstration of the modelling of feed drives. The FEM model is integrated into a mechatronic model of the axis control system and the behaviour of the position and speed control loop is simulated.