Development of a Machine Tool Structure Using Composite Synthetic Granite

Summary

The properties of Synthetic Granite, a new material for fabricating machine tool structures, originally developed by Studer A. G. and now exploited in Britain by Cranfield Moulded Structures, are presented. Its high damping and high specific stiffness properties are applied to improve the overall damping and stiffness of a fabricated steel machine tool structure. Results of dynamic tests on a bifurcated steel column, before and after it was filled in with synthetic granite, showed a very high reduction of receptance at resonant frequencies and a change in the values of the latter was also observed. This opens up the possibility of optimising the damping and stiffness properties of a machine tool structure through careful application of the composite material.