Correction of Thermal Errors in Machine Tools by a Hybrid Model Approach

Thermally induced position errors are one of the main error sources on the workpiece caused by the behavior of the machine tool. In today’s industrial environment, the correction of thermal errors is usually based on simple regression approaches, where the characteristic diagrams for correction are generated experimentally. The performance of these approaches is only valid for the corresponding load regimes, which often results in insufficient correction quality in practical applications. Consequently, there is only a limited benefit or even a deterioration in machine behavior if the correction characteristic is based on an inapplicable load case compared to the initial experiment. Simulation-generated characteristic diagrams using finite element models solve this disadvantage, but do not answer the question about the choice of the right characteristic matching the current load situation, and, in addition, calculate very slowly. Structural model-based correction using reduced models, on the other hand, calculates quickly, but requires a high modeling effort for accurate correction. The approach, presented in this contribution, combines simulation-generated characteristic diagrams and a structural model-based decision algorithm for a new hybrid model in order to select the appropriate characteristic diagram for the present load situation in the control system. This paper presents the simulative characteristic diagram generation by a finite element model validated by experiments in a climate chamber and a validated structural model including the concept for the decision algorithm.