Enhanced Part Accuracy Through Strain Measurement in Milling Machines

This research explores the measurement of strain in a machining process on a milling machine. The goal is to develop a simple and easy method to determine the strain in a machine. Compared with other already existing approaches, the presented method separates the measurement locally from coolant and chips, which decreases the risk of a failure in the case of a continuously monitored machine. Furthermore, the measurement method does not influence the machining process itself. The separation of the machining process and the measurement enables the method to gather data without manipulating the process itself. By excluding any influence of the measurement process, the research presented in this article proves the general suitability of the method to increase the accuracy of the machining operation by modifying the toolpath of the machine.