Tool path evaluation based on electric power consumption of feed drive systems in NC machine tool

NC machine tools generate desired shapes by control relative motions between tool and workpiece. Since several motion paths exist to machine the products with NC machine tools, it is difficult to choose the suitable motion path for the machining. This study focuses onto the energy consumption of feed drive systems of NC machine tools during the machining motion. In this study, an evaluation method by prediction of the energy consumption for each tool path is proposed. The evaluation method can predict the energy consumption of the feed drive systems during the motions. In order to confirm the correctness of the proposed method, actual measurement tests of the energy consumption are carried out. As the results, it is confirmed that the proposed method can evaluate the motion path based on the energy consumption.