A Theoretical Basis for the Active Control of a Boring Bar Operation

Abstract

The properties of low stiffness and low structural damping in boring bars are widely known to be factors resulting in chatter and inaccurate machining. The application of active control offers a new alternative to improving the performance of a boring bar. This paper presents the theoretical basis for such an active control system. The analysis includes the practical consideration of principal modes in the boring bar model and discusses this influence on controller design. Simulation results using data from an experimental system illustrate some important factors of system design.