Implementation of a Direct Drive Linear Motor Actuator for Dynamic Control of the Turning Process

Active damping of the turning process using a direct drive linear motor actuator has been investigated. Various necessary and sufficient conditions for stability at all cutting speed are derived, and have been used to study the effect of damping and gear reduction in system stability. The interaction of the cutting process with the tool servo loop is seen to have significant instability consequences in systems with small drive gear reductions. Experimental cutting results are presented for PD and PID regulation. Results show that linear motors can provide sufficient stiffness to stabilize the turning process.