Abstract: “Thermal drift at tool centre point (TCP) is caused mainly due to positional errors in feed drive system of machine tool. The important sources of these errors are frictional heat generated at contact areas such as ball screw-nut, bearing races and balls. In addition to this, heat losses of motor also contribute resulting in thermo-elastic deformation in feed drive system. The objective of the work presented here is to predict and analyse the thermal behavior at key locations of feed drive system by considering pre-load on ball-screw of feed-drive system. The boundary conditions in simulation were applied considering the losses incurred in bearing, nut as well in motor during end milling operation considering with and without pre-loading of ball-screw. The simulation model was developed and validated with the experimental data recorded on feed drive system of a Vertical Machining Center (VMC) considering non-cutting operation prior to this. The developed model may be used for design opt”

Keywords: Machine Tool; Simulation; Thermal Error; Ballscrew system; Finite Element