One of common challenges in designing modern production machines is realizing high speed motion without sacrificing accuracy. To address this challenge it is necessary to maximize the stiffness of the mechanical structure and the control system with consideration on the main disturbance input, cutting forces. This paper presents analysis technologies for realizing high stiffness in production machines. First, CAE analysis techniques to evaluate the dynamic stiffness of a machine structure and a new method to construct the physical machine model for servo controller simulations are demonstrated. Second, cutting forces generated in milling processes are analyzed to evaluate their effects on the mechatronics system. In the effort to investigate the interaction among the structure, controller, and process, a flexible multi-body dynamics simulation method is implemented on a magnetic bearing stage as an example. The presented technologies can provide better understandings on the mechatronics system and help realizing high stiffness production machines.
