Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology
Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology

Thermal research

Increase of production accuracy

Low simulation accuracy of temperature fields has been a disadvantage compared to static and dynamic property analysis, which makes it no longer acceptable for modern machine tools. Thus, we carry out research to increase the production accuracy of machine tools under common temperature conditions by simulative and experimental analysis, feasible error corrections and by design improvements.

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Thermal design

  • Sensitivity analysis of machine structures
  • Determination of thermal material properties

Thermal analysis

  • Thermal cell

  • Experimental identification of temperature fields and their temporal change as well as resulting deformations and displacements of individual assemblies or absolute deviations
  • Calculation of the thermoelastic behavior of machine tools by improved modeling, especially by describing boundary conditions
  • Evaluation and optimization of thermal dislocations of structural elements due to analysis of critical spots and deduction of potentials for improvement
  • Development of compensation methods integrated into control systems to compensate for thermally caused deformations and dislocations

Process chain development

  • Market analysis
  • Investigation of process chains
  • Process optimization
  • Cost-benefit calculation
  • Development of manufacturing concepts
  • Planning and technological dimensioning of processes, tools and machines

Thermal research

  • Market analysis
  • Feasibility studies
  • Technology development
  • Development of characteristic process values and optimal forming strategies
  • Benchmarking
  • Numerical simulation
  • Manufacturing of prototypes
  • Experimental identification of temperature fields and their temporal change as well as resulting deformations and displacements of individual assemblies or absolute deviations
  • Calculation of the thermoelastic behavior of machine tools by improved modeling, especially by describing boundary conditions
  • Development of compensation methods integrated into control systems to compensate for thermally caused deformations and dislocations
  • Materials for thermal effects

Quality assurance

  • Evaluation and optimization of thermal dislocations of structural elements due to analysis of critical spots and deduction of potentials for improvement

Software

  • ProEngineer (parametric 3D-CAD software)
  • Autodesk Inventor (parametric 3D-CAD software)
  • One Space Designer (3D-CAD software for dynamic modeling)
  • Auto CAD (2D – 3D-CAD software)
  • Eplan Fluid (Simulation of circuits of fluid technology systems)
  • SimulationX (CAE software for simulating physical-technical systems and plants)
  • IDEAS (FE structural analysis, flow simulation)
  • ANSYS (FE structural analysis, flow simulation)
  • ITI-SIM (multibody simulation)
  • Matlab/Simulink (controller synthesis)

Testing technology

  • Thermal cell to generate defined variable ambient conditions
  • Multichannel measurement equipment with up to 100 measuring channels and selective measurements of dislocations and temperatures
  • Extensive thermostable measuring rods made of invar-steel
  • High-definition fast thermographic camera