Impact-based feed drive actuator for discontinuous motion profiles

This paper discusses an approach to enable step-wise velocity changes in machine tool feed drives while reducing the reaction force of the drive on structural machine components. The implementation is based on an additional actuator that transmits well-defined impulses on the table via mechanical impacts. Possible applications are seen in processes as beam processing or handling. The approach is introduced by means of a multi-body model and afterwards experimental results are shown. On the one hand, the reduction of the tracking error while following discontinuous velocity profiles is analyzed, on the other hand, the reduced excitation of the machine structure is shown. The experimental verification of the functional principle is performed on a single axis setup where the fundamental parameters in design, material and control are quantified. Concluding, a short outlook on remaining research topics regarding the shown approach is given.