Finite-element analysis and structural optimization design study for cradle seat of CNC machine tool

AbstractIn order to improve the machining precision of the five-axis CNC machine tool, the cradle seat must have good structure and mechanical properties. Using the CAD/CAE-integrated design platform, static finite-element analysis and sensitivity analysis of the original cradle seat were conducted. Based on the above analysis, the weak part of the original cradle seat was discovered. A multi-objective optimization design process for the cradle seat’s weak part was carried out, and six groups of non-inferior solutions were obtained. From the six groups of optimization design schemes and the original design scheme, the optimal design scheme was selected using fuzzy matter-element method and the entropy-weight method. The cradle seat’s mass was reduced by 2.76%, and the maximum deformation was reduced by 27.38%. The impact test analysis results showed that the dynamic performance of the cradle seat, after optimization design, was greatly improved, which proves that the proposed structural optimization desig...