CAREER: Investigation and Improvement of Precision Manufacturing Machines by Structural and Process Modeling

9702897 Marsh The ability to capture the key dynamics of precision machines is critical to the design of precision machines to meet the manufacturing challenges of the future. This Career plan addresses this need by seeking means for representing critical machine dynamics reliably and efficiently. The research will begin by capturing analytically the important behavior of several classes of machine components such as spindles, bearings and bolted/welded connections. The relevant behavior of each component from the component models will then be integrated into the model of the entire machine system and used to study chatter avoidance, tool development, and machine design. The Career plan also offers education of engineers capable of accurately modeling and analyzing precision machines. The development of models to represent the key dynamics of precision machines is central to the design of precision machines and their components to meet tomorrow's manufacturing challenges. The integrated research and education program enables the creation of young engineers specializing in machine design for dynamic performance.