A fast tool servo design for precision turning of shafts on conventional CNC lathes

A technique for precision turning of shafts on conventional CNC turning centers is presented. The shaft is semi-turned on a conventional CNC lathe. The precision finish turning operation is delivered by a piezoelectric based fast tool servo which is mounted on the same CNC lathe's turret. The precision tool tip motion is delivered by a proposed sliding mode controller which is robust to changes in the cutting process and hysteresis in the piezo actuator. Sliding mode controller is also quick to compensate the cutting force disturbances, and keeps the tool tip at the desired location within the displacement measurement sensor resolution (±0.1 μm). The fast tool servo system is packaged in a PC, and its effectiveness is demonstrated on a bearing location turning.