Design, development and performance evaluation of a three-axis miniature machining center
Author
Korkmaz, Emrullah
Advisor
Filiz, Sinan
Date
2011Publisher
Bilkent University
Language
English
Type
ThesisItem Usage Stats
114
views
views
185
downloads
downloads
Abstract
There is a growing demand for highly accurate micro-scale parts from various
industries including medical, biotechnology, energy, consumer, and aerospace.
Mechanical micro-machining which is capable of fabricating three dimensional
micro-scale features on a wide range of engineering materials such as metals,
polymers, ceramics and composites is a viable micro-manufacturing technique to
effectively address this demand. Miniature machine tools (MMTs) are developed
and used in mechanical micro-machining since their small size improves the accuracy
and efficiency of the process. The output quality of the final product
manufactured on an MMT depends on choosing the optimum machining parameters.
However, the full potential of micro-machining can not be achieved due
to challenges that reduce the repeatability of the process. One of the most significant
challenges in micro-machining is the deterioration of output quality due
to the MMT vibrations. This thesis demonstrates the development of a threeaxis
miniature machine tool, the performance evaluation of its micro-scale milling
process, and the characterization of its dynamic behaviour using finite element
simulations and experiments.
The MMT is designed and constructed using precision three-axis positioning
slides (2 micrometers positioning accuracy, 10 nanometers positioning resolution,
60 mm x 60 mm x 60 mm workspace), miniature ultra-high speed spindles (ceramic
bearing electrical spindle with maximum 50,000 rpm rotational speed and
air bearing air turbine spindle with maximum 160,000 rpm rotational speed), a
miniature force dynamometer, and a microscope. Three dimensional finite element
simulations are performed on the developed MMT to obtain the static and
dynamic characteristics of the spindle side. A maximum static deflection of 0.256
µm is obtained on the designed base when 20 N forces in three directions are
applied to the center of the spindle. Dynamic finite element analysis predicts the
first three natural frequencies as 700 Hz, 828 Hz and 1896 Hz; hence corresponding
spindle speeds should be avoided for successful application of micro-machining.
To demonstrate the capability of MMT for manufacturing three dimensional
(3D) features, micro-milling is proposed as a novel method for fabricating
Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)
polymer micro-needles. The micro-machinability of PMMA and PLGA polymers
is investigated experimentally by machining a group of 3 mm length and 100
µm depth slots using 50,000 and 100,000 rpm spindle speeds with different feedrates
(5, 10, 15, and 20 µm/flute). The micro-machinability study concludes
that PLGA has better machinability than PMMA. It is also observed that the
machining parameters of 50,000 rpm spindle speed and 20 µm/flute feedrate give
better output quality. Using these machining parameters, micro needles with
different geometries are successfully manufactured from PMMA and PLGA polymers.
During this study, it is observed that polymer pillars bend due to machining
forces and vibrations, which causes dimensional errors.
To address the deterioration of the output quality due to vibrations stemming
from machining forces and high-speed-rotations, MMT vibrations particularly focusing
on the spindle side dynamics are investigated experimentally using runout
(spindle axis offset) measurements and experimental modal analysis techniques.
The results are compared with those from three-dimensional finite element simulations.
The investigation of MMT vibrations indicates that the developed MMT
is convenient for accurate applications of micro-machining using air-turbine air
bearing spindle. However, the selection of the operation frequencies for electrical
spindle is challenging at certain speeds with this design because most of the critical
natural frequencies of the developed MMT appear in the operating frequency
range of electrical spindle.
Runout measurements using two laser doppler vibrometer (LDV) systems and
experimental modal analyis which utilizes an impact hammer and accelerometer
are conducted to obtain spindle side dynamics. Runout measurements performed
on the miniature ultra-high speed ceramic bearing electrical spindle show that
both magnitude and shape of the runout errors vary considerably with spindle
speed. A peak of 1.62 µm synchronous runout is observed at 15,000 rpm. Asynchronous
runout errors become significant between spindle speeds of 40,000 and
50,000 rpm and reach to a maximum of 0.21 µm at 45,000 rpm. On the other
hand, experimental modal analysis is conducted to obtain both the steady-state
and speed dependent frequency response functions (FRFs) of the mechanical
structures. Steady state FRFs indicate that 750 Hz and 850 Hz are two important
natural frequencies for successful application of micro-machining. Compared
to the three dimensional finite element simulations, there is 7 % difference
for the first mode and 3 % difference for the second mode. Both steady-state
experimental modal analysis and finite element simulations could not consider
the speed-dependent dynamics. Therefore, experimental modal analysis at different
spindle speeds is also performed and it is concluded that natural frequencies
of the mechanical structures change significantly depending on spindle speed.
Speed-dependent FRFs show that the maximum response of about 0.35 µm/N
is obtained while the spindle is rotating at 16,000 rpm but the peak occurs at
24,000 rpm (400 Hz). In addition, the vibration amplitude grows between the
spindle speed of 40,000 rpm and 50,000 rpm.
Experiments and finite element simulations provide a machine operation frequency
selection guide. It is suggested to avoid two different spindle speed ranges
(15,000- 25,000 rpm and 40,000-50,000 rpm) to prevent vibration related inaccuracies.
In addition, structural modifications can be achieved to further optimize
the design based on the experimental data obtained in this work. The obtained
experimental data can be used to derive mathematical model of the MMT and
to perform stability studies to increase the productivity of the micro-machining
processes.
Overall, the novel micro-machining technique tested on the developed MMT
highlights the quality and ranges that can be achieved in micro-manufacturing.
Keywords
mechanical micro-machiningexperimental modal analysis
micromachinability
miniature machine tools
finite element method
structural dynamics