Innovative Thermal Error Correction Of AVertical Machining Centre Spindle Head

This paper presents the research undertaken at Bridgeport Machines Limited in the implementation of Thermal Compensation on a range of Vertical Machining Centres. A significant portion of the inaccuracy on a machined component is attributable directly to the thermal distortions in the Machining Centre structure. There are three principal sources of inaccuracies related to thermal distortions, two of which are directly related to the machining process and the third is related to the environment. This paper concentrates on the thermal distortions resulting from the heat generated within the spindle assembly.