A CAD/CAE-integrated structural design framework for machine tools

作者：Wang, Junqiang; Niu, Wentie^*; Ma, Yue; Xue, Lingjun; Cun, Huaying; Nie, Yingxin; Zhang, Dawei

来源：International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 2017, 91(1-4): 545-568.

DOI：10.1007/s00170-016-9721-y

• CAD/CAE integration
• Topology architecture model
• Configuration design
• Structure optimization
• Machine tool

In this paper, a novel integrated framework for design and optimization of a machine tool structure is presented, which can greatly improve the design quality and efficiency by combining knowledge-based design and multi-stage optimization with the CAD/CAE integration technique. To realize this framework, a topology architecture model has been developed to integrate the configuration design and geometric modeling knowledge as well as the static and dynamic evaluation knowledge of machine tools with a specific topology architecture type; an analysis feature model is proposed for the integration between commercial CAD and CAE software, in which analysis features can be automatically converted to a script code for finite element analysis (FEA) through feature mapping. Based on the topology architecture model and feature-based CAD/CAE integration methodology, a two-stage design optimization process is proposed to perform the conceptual structural design of machine tools. In the first stage, the principal parameters which critically affect the performance of an entire machine are determined; then, the static and dynamic stiffness matching designs are performed to obtain the reasonable stiffness and weight of each structural part and functional component based on the stiffness model and dynamic model. In the second stage, the arrangement of ribs is determined by inferring the design knowledge; FEA is used to evaluate the performances of structural parts, and the response surface method (RSM) is applied to optimize the structural parameters to approach the stiffness and mass close to the allocated values obtained from the first stage. Re-design of a four-axis horizontal machining center with a box-in-box architecture was carried out to illustrate the design procedure in detail and to verify the feasibility and efficacy of the proposed framework. By applying the proposed framework, the total weight of the entire machine is minimized while sufficient stiffness is maintained. The results also show that the proposed framework facilitates the conceptual structural design and optimization process of machine tools.

• 出版日期2017-7
• 单位天津大学; 北京机床研究所