Controller designs for constant cutting force turning machine control

A simulation study of a constant cutting force metal turning process is inv estigated. The process is a challenging control problem due to its nonlinea r and time varying dynamics. Simulated implementations of PID, adaptive and non-adaptive sliding mode and model reference adaptive controllers were de veloped. Tests of the closed loop systems were performed for a range of cut ting conditions including specific machined part contours that are presente d here to verify the force tracking capability and flexibility of each cont rol scheme. Results indicate that careful design and use of a fixed-gain sl iding mode controller with output feedback can give roughly equivalent perf ormance to that of more complex adaptive controllers. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd. All rights reserved.