A new method for simulation of machining performance by integrating finite element and multi-body simulation for machine tools

Machine tools need to work accurately and highly dynamically to keep up with the requirements of modern machining processes. Besides the technical issues, time to market is too short to build a real prototype in future. This leads to the necessity for a method which enables the forecast of the future machine performance. To predict the machining results exactly, large movements on flexible structures have to be calculated. With the specific integration of FEA and MBS for the domain of machine tools it is possible to predict the dynamic machine behaviour. The simulation system is based on the relative nodal method for large deformation problems. A model of a machine tool with all relevant components was simulated and matched with experiments to demonstrate the approach.