Stochastic vibration analysis for linear rolling guide with considering geometric errors

The Linear rolling guideway (LRG) features numerous interfaces between balls and the raceway and demonstrates nonlinear contact characteristics in dynamic. However, most studies on LRG usually assume the contact behavior between the ball and the raceway is uniform, which results in a deviation from the actual conditions, especially for precision machine tools. Therefore, this study’s key is to convert the preload and the ball geometry error to the ball’s combined interference as initial conditions for simulation analysis. A Finite Element Model (FEM) of an LRG with a machine tool worktable was developed under the ball’s combined interference, and verified by a modal vibration test. The results indicate that the simulations with the proposed approach agree well with the experimental measurements. According to the validated FEM with the pre-contact stress induced by the combined interference at the contact interface, the stochastic vibration was analyzed under varying preload levels and external loading conditions. The findings show the significant effect of preloads and ball geometry errors on response principal stress, response deformation, and displacement and stress response power spectral density (PSD) performance. This work provides a deeper understanding of preload and geometric errors for studying accuracy retention in machine tools.