An approach for measuring the FRF of machine tool structure without knowing any input force

• An active excitation modal analysis was proposed to predict the dynamics of a whole machine tool structure without knowing any input loads.
• A method which based on the dynamic sensitivity to structural modifications was proposed to estimate the FRFs.
• Modal parameters of machine tool in different working positions were studied.

Measuring the dynamics of a machine tool is important for improving its processing or design. In general, the dynamics of the machine tool structure is identified by the experimental modal analysis approaches that require the measurement of both the input loadings and the corresponding structural responses. However, the primary limitation for this method is that the input loadings are difficult or impossible to be measured when the machine tool is under operational conditions. In this paper, a method that is based on random decrement technology was used to identify the operational modal parameters of a machine tool without the knowledge of any of the inputs. To estimate the frequency response functions, FRFs, a structural change method was proposed. The approach is based on the sensitivity of the eigenproperties to structural modifications caused by the drive positions. The proposed method was verified experimentally by traditional hammer tests. Because no elaborate excitation equipment is used, the dynamics of the machine tool structure with arbitrarily feed rate or working position can be easily identified using the proposed active excitation modal analysis method.