Damping improvement of machine tool columns with polymer matrix fiber composite material

Abstract

In order to improve the damping capacity of the column of a percision mirror surface grinding machine tool, a hybrid column was manufactured by adhesively bonding glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite plates to a cast iron column. To optimize the damping capacity of the hybrid column, the damping capacity of the hybrid column was calculated with respect to the fiber orientation and thickness of the composite laminate plate and compared to the measured damping capacity. From experiments, it was found that the damping capacity of the hybrid column was 35% higher than that of the cast iron column. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.