Thermal error analysis of tauren EDM machine tool based on FCM fuzzy clustering and RBF neural network

Abstract

A method that combines temperature field detection, adaptive FCM (Fuzzy c-means) clustering algorithm and RBF (Radial basis function network) neural network model is proposed. This method is used to analyze the thermal error of the spindle reference point of the tauren EDM (Electro-discharge machining) machine tool. The thermal imager is used to obtain the temperature field distribution of the machine tool while the machine tool simulates actual operating conditions. Based on this, the arrangement of temperature measurement points is determined, and the temperature data of the corresponding measurement points are got by temperature sensors. In actual engineering, too many temperature measurement points can cause problems such as too high cost, too much wiring. And normal processing can be affected. In order to establish that the thermal error prediction model of the machine tool spindle reference point can meet the actual engineering needs, the adaptive FCM clustering algorithm is used to optimize the temperature measurement points. While collecting the temperatures of the optimized temperature measurement points, the displacement sensors are used to detect the thermal deformation data in X, Y, Z directions of the spindle reference position. Based on the test data, the RBF neural network thermal errors prediction model of the machine tool spindle reference point is established. Then, the test results are used to verify the accuracy of the thermal errors analysis model. The research method in this paper provides a system solution for thermal error analysis of the tauren EDM machine tool. And this builds a foundation for real-time compensation of the machine tool’s thermal errors.