International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 2, February- 2013

Modal Analysis of CNC Lathe Cross-Slide

M. Ravi Kumar1, Tippa Bhimasankar Rao2
1
PG Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nimra Institute of Science and Technology
2
Hod, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nimra Institute of Science and Technology, Vijayawada, AP, INDIA

Abstract
In this project an attempt has been made to analyze the technology is extended to conventional machines, it
cross slide of a CNC lathe machine for its natural enables part programmers to achieve a higher
frequencies and corresponding modes. Initially, the productivity. As a result, most industries have replaced
analysis has been taken up for the existing cross slide conventional lathe machine tools with CNC lathe
for its material and geometric properties. The procedure machines tools. Competition has led even the small
has been extended further by selecting four appropriate scale industry to switch over to CNC lathes. Further,
materials. In all the cases modeling has been done R&D in the field of CNC machine tools has provided
using pro-e and analysis with Ansys. The first 10 several new designs to cater to the needs of the
natural frequencies and corresponding mode shapes are industries. These machines are capable of
obtained. Based on above analysis and subsequent manufacturing high precision components and large
results the most optimum material has been suggested volumes of production.
to the manufacturer to facilitate the extension of life of
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the component.
1. Introduction
The modal analysis is done on the cross-slide
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component to obtain ten different mode shapes.

Initially the analysis will be taken up for the cross-slide
for its existing material and geometric properties. The
procedure will be extended further by selecting four
other appropriate materials. In all the cases, modeling is
done using PRO-E and analysis is done by using
ANSYS software. Based on analysis and subsequent Figure.1 CNC LATHE
results, it is intended to suggest the most optimum 3. The main parts of CNC lathe are
material to the manufacturer to facilitate the extension Bed
of life of the component. Headstock
2. CNC Lathe
The machine is controlled electronically via a Tailstock
computer menu style interface; the program may be Carriage
modified and displayed at the machine, along with a Turret
simulated view of the process. The setter/operator
needs a high level of skill to perform the process, Cross slide
however the knowledge base is broader compared to 4. Cross-Slide
the older production machines where intimate The cross-slide (Figure 1.4) rides on the carriage and
knowledge of each machine was considered essential. has a feed screw that travels perpendicular to the main
These machines are often set and operated by the same spindle axis. This permits facing operations to be
person, where the operator will supervise a small performed, and the depth of cut to be adjusted. This
number of machines (cell).The design of a CNC lathe feed screw can be engaged, through a gear train, to the
has evolved yet again however the basic principles and feed shaft provide automated 'power feed' movement to
parts are still recognizable, the turret holds the tools the cross-slide. On most lathes, only one direction can
and indexes them as needed. be engaged at a time as an interlock mechanism will
A CNC lathe does not differ from a conventional shut out the second gear train.
lathe and major parts of a CNC lathe and a
conventional lathe are similar. However, when CNC

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 2, February- 2013

8. Wire frame model of CNC Cross Slide

Figure.2 CNC Lathe Cross-Slide

5. Identified Materials for the Analysis of Figure.4 Wireframe Model of CNC Lathe Cross Slide
CNC Cross-Slide 9. Procedural steps for modal analysis of
Mild steel. CNC cross slide
Stainless Steel. The IGES file of model developed by using
PRO-E is imported into ANSYS.
Bronze. The options, Structural and h-method, are
Aluminium. selected in preferences.
Cast Iron. The element solid 20node95 is chosen.
The structural-linear-elastic-isotropic material
6. Procedural Steps for the Modeling of CNC is selected mentioning the required material
Cross Slide using PRO-E properties.
The dimensions of existing cross slide of CNC After defining the element and material
Lathe are identified manually. properties, the model is meshed to obtain FE
Then in PRO-E, the part module for modeling model.
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of cross slide is selected. Constraints were applied to the model, by
By the dimensions, the line drawing of the fixing UX and UY moment along the area
component is done using line or rectangle required.
command.
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By selecting frequency range and the number

Using extrude command, the model is of modes require, modal analysis is performed.
converted into solid model, and then the After solution is done for results display, the
component is filled with material and results are displayed in results viewer.
appeared to be as solid. The advantage of results viewer is we can get
This finishes modeling of the cross slide. the each mode shape of the element with the
To import the model into ANSYS we have to frequency and the plot.
save the file in extension of IGES. The same process is repeated for the all other
7. Developed model of CNC Lathe Cross four selected materials by changing the
Slide using PRO-E properties of the material.
10. Results and Discussions

Table.1 Computed Values of Frequencies and

Figure.3 Solid model of CNC lathe Cross slide Displacements

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 2, February- 2013

10.1 Mode Shapes of Cross-Slide for Mild Steel

Figure.5 1st mode shape Figure.6 10th mode shape

Table.4 shows the mode shapes of cross-slide, for
Aluminum
10.4 Mode Shapes of Cross-Slide for Bronze

Table.2 shows the mode shapes of cross-slide, for Mild

Figure.11 1st mode shape Figure.12 10th mode shape
Steel.
10.2 Mode Shapes of Cross-Slide for Stainless
Steel
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Table.5 shows the mode shapes of cross-slide, for

Figure.7 1st mode shape Figure.8 10th mode shape Bronze
10.5 Mode Shapes of Cross-Slide for Cast Iron

Table.3 shows the mode shapes of cross-slide, for

Stainless Steel. Figure.13 1st mode shape Figure.14 10th mode shape
10.3 Mode Shapes of Cross-Slide for
Aluminum.

Figure.9 1st mode shape Figure.10 10th mode shape Table.6 shows the mode shapes of cross-slide, for
Cast Iron

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 2, February- 2013

[7]. Machine design by R.K. Jain

[8]. Machine design by ‘R.S. Kurmi’
[9]. Design of machine elements by ‘Bandri’
[10]. Machine design by R.K. Rajput
[11]. Design data book by Md.jalaludeen
[12]. Design data book by P.S.G. College
[13]. www.cs.cmu.edu/People/rapidproto/mechanisms/
references.html
[14]. Mechanical Engg design – Joseph E. Shigley.
[15]. Design data book – P.S.G. College of technology.
[16]. Design data book – K.Mahadevan & K.Balaveera
Reddy.
[17]. Analysis and approximation of contact problem
By Mircea Sofonia and Weimin Hann
[18]. Elastic contact analysis by boundary elements
By Susumu Takahashi
[19]. “A comprehensive analysis of fillet and contact
stresses in straight spur gears”
By M.A. Alfares

Fig.15 shows the variation of natural frequency with

respect to natural modes, for the materials selected
for the analysis.
The results clearly indicate that at all the ten modes of
cross-slide for ten different materials selected, it is
observed that there is no significant change is observed
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in natural frequencies and corresponding deformations,
except for Bronze, which has a marginal lower
frequency and deformation, during first nine modes and
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cast iron for its tenth mode.

11. Conclusion
In this project an attempt has been made to estimate the
first ten natural frequencies and corresponding modes
of an existing CNC lathe cross-slide. The modeling and
analysis has been done considering the five different
materials. Frequencies are computed using Sub-space
and Block lancoz’s Method and observed to be equal
for all the materials and modes. It is concluded that if
the material is of Bronze, there is an little decrease in
frequencies and deflections.
12. Suggestions
It is suggested to modify the shape of the bearing
surface of the cross-slide to optimize the same for its
natural frequency and deflections, by selecting other
appropriate cross-slide for Bronze.
13. REFERENCES
[1]. TEXT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS
BY –G.K.GROOVER.
[2]. MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS – SEN AND
BHATTACHARYA
[3]. MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS- S.S.RAO
[4]. www.wikipedia.com
[5]. www.scbrid.com
[6]. Machine design by S.Md.Jalaludeen, Anuradha
agencies.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 2 Issue 2, February- 2013

RRTT
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