Thermal error compensation on linear motor based on latent heat storage

Linear motor feed drives induce time variable heat losses that cause thermoelastic deformations in the surrounding machine structure. Consequently, unsteady displacement fields arise leading to decreased position accuracy. In order to compensate for thermal errors of the tool center point position, latent heat storage can be used to provide a smoother temperature response of the machine tool. The proposed approach considers paraffin-based phase change materials infiltrated in aluminum foam structures. Performance and efficacy of the realized compensation component are numerically and experimentally validated.