A thermo-mechanical machining method for improving the accuracy and stability of the geometric shape of long low-rigidity shafts

The article presents a new thermo-mechanical machining method for the manufacture of long low-rigidity shafts which combines straightening and heat treatment operations. A fixture for thermo-mechanical treatment of long low-rigidity shafts was designed and used in tests which involved axial straightening of shafts combined with a quenching operation (performed to increase the corrosion resistance of the steel used as stock material). The study showed that an analysis of the initial deflections of semi-finished shafts of different dimensions and determination of the maximum corrective deflection in the device could be used as a basis for performing axial straightening of shaft workpieces with simultaneous heat treatment and correction of the initial deflection of the workpiece. The deflection is corrected by stretching the fibers of the stock material, at any cross-section of the shaft, up to the yield point and generating residual stresses symmetrical to the axis of the workpiece. These processes allow to increase the accuracy and stability of the geometric shape of the shaft.

Automated summary

The article introduces a new thermo-mechanical machining method that combines straightening and heat treatment operations for the manufacture of long low-rigidity shafts. Through axial straightening and quenching in tests, the method increases corrosion resistance and improves the accuracy and stability of the geometric shape of the shaft.