Simulative Study of Different Control Concepts of Cooling System for Machine Tools

Institute of Fluid Power, Chair of Fluid-Mechatronic Systems, 01062 Dresden, Germany

Abstract

Power losses in machine tools, e.g. during the standby, idle-, and manufacturing process, are converted into heat energy. This causes the machine frame and other machine components to heat up. As a result, the Tool Centre Point (TCP) of the machine tools is moved. The accuracy of the machine is thus reduced during manufacturing. The current cooling system design of machine tools is based on a centrally fixed pump supply that provides a constant cooling volume flow for cooling all the machine tool components. This does not correspond to the individual temperature development of the components, after all, the high temperature fluctuation arises and causes the thermo-elastic deformation of machine tools. The main objective of this paper is to highlight the deficit of the current concept of cooling systems and to present a simulative study on the different controls concepts of cooling systems for machine tools. The results depict that the new concepts under consideration have a large potential for better thermal behaviour and lower hydraulic performance compared to the current cooling system design. The simulation results show a stability of the components’ temperature profile as well as a decreased energy consumption of the cooling system.