Experimental study on energy consumption of computer numerical control machine tools

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2016, Vol.112, p.3864-3874
• Main Authors: Lv, Jingxiang, Tang, Renzhong, Jia, Shun, Liu, Ying
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Computer numerical control machine tools; Energy consumption; Material removal; Non-cutting motions
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.07.040

Machining processes are responsible for substantial environmental impacts due to their great energy consumption. Accurately characterizing the energy consumption of machining processes is a starting point to increase manufacturing energy efficiency and reduce their associated environmental impacts. The energy calculation of machining processes depends on the availability of energy supply data of machine tools. However, the energy supply can vary greatly among different types of machine tools so that it is difficult to obtain the energy data theoretically. The aim of this research was to investigate the energy characteristics and obtain the power models of computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools through an experimental study. Four CNC lathes, two CNC milling machines and one machining center were selected for experiments. Power consumption of non-cutting motions and material removal was measured and compared for the selected machine tools. Here, non-cutting motions include standby, cutting fluid spraying, spindle rotation and feeding operations of machine tools. Material removal includes turning and milling. Results show that the power consumption of non-cutting motions and milling is dependent on machine tools while the power consumption of turning is almost independent from the machine tools. The results imply that the energy saving potential of machining processes is tremendous. •Power data of motions of different computer numerical control machine tools have been measured and compared.•The energy consumption of basic, auxiliary, air-cutting motions and milling is dependent on machine tools.•The energy consumption of turning is almost independent on the machine tools.•The main chance for energy reduction lies in the decrease of non-cutting energy consumption of machine tools.•Large amount of energy could be saved by increasing cutting parameters.