Prediction method for electrical energy consumption of the machine tool in the usage stage

Machine tools are one of the most significant energy appliances in industry. Within their life cycle, the largest energy consumption occurs in the usage stage, when they serve their purpose. A possibility to estimate the power consumption in this phase of life will allow developers to reduce energy costs. A method of calculating the energy consumed during the usage phase of life shown in this article is based on the simulation of the machining cycle of the characteristic workpiece by multi-body system. The machine is presented as a system of rigid bodies that are connected to each other by mechanical constrains. Each moving part of the machine is defined by its mass, volume and moment of inertia; each constrain is defined by its efficiency. Using the NC code is defined by the tool path. The output of the simulation is the consumed mechanical energy. This approach allows the calculation of the total mechanical work which the machine must carry out to produce one characteristic workpiece. It is possible to obtain data for the calculation of total energy costs consumed during the usage phase of the machine life. Energy optimization is the next step in the development of the machine; this is created on the basis of the data obtained from this simulation.