Determination and evaluation of machine tool dynamic characteristics obtained during stable cutting process

The performance characteristics of machine tools depend on the dynamic properties of their structures. The characteristics substantially affect the machining accuracy, the quality of obtained surfaces and performance stability. The study provides an analysis of currently applied methods of machine tool excitations as well as methods of their dynamic characteristics evaluation. It was assumed that the source of this excitation were actual working loads occurring in the course of stable finishing process. This type of excitations makes it possible to take into account different operational positions of working units as well as actual feedback between the machine tool's structure and the cutting process. Machining tests were carried out. During the tests relative vibration between a tool and a workpiece was measured. An experimental set-up was described. Some results of lathe testing were provided. A possibility of using waviness on the machined surfaces of a test piece to evaluate the machine tool's dynamic characteristics was proposed.