FEA-analysis of shaft and supports deformations for huge precise lathe. Statics and resonances

Load bearing system simulation is provided for a huge lathe to be renovated. Static and modal analyses are done by FEM. Focus was centerline rising, needed for larger rotor shaft machining. Forces between shaft and three supports were applied. Shaft static stiffness is lowered at 1.15 times only for 600 mm centerline rising. Supports have lost its rigidity at 1.42 times. Concrete pouring into bed cavities is recommended for supports flexibility limitation such as tailstock reinforcement. Robustness of bottom resonances is revealed both for rotor shaft (14.5-18.2 Hz) and supports (42.7-55.4 Hz). Centerline rising is allowed on 300 mm at least. It gives possibility to machine extremely large (up to ø2750 mm) shafts.