How does artificial aging of machine tool bodies help minimize internal stresses?

In Engraving and Milling Machining Center, the stability and accuracy of machine tools are crucial to production efficiency and product quality. Artificial aging of the machine tool body is a key process that can significantly reduce internal stress, thereby improving the performance and service life of the machine tool. Here are a few key aspects of how artificial aging accomplishes this goal.

1. Sources of internal stress
The main body of machine tools is usually made of cast materials. During the casting process, the material will generate internal stress due to uneven cooling rates. If these stresses are not dealt with, they may cause the machine tool to deform or become unstable during subsequent use, thus affecting the machining accuracy and equipment reliability. In addition to the casting process, the heat generated during welding and machining can also cause stress concentration. These are problems that must be solved before the machine tool can be used.

2. Basic principles of artificial aging
Artificial aging is a process that controls the internal structure of a material through heating and cooling. By heating the machine tool body to a specific temperature and maintaining it for a period of time, the microstructure of the material changes and the internal molecules rearrange, releasing some of the stress. This process is usually carried out at temperatures below the melting point of the material to avoid damaging the overall performance of the machine tool. Controlling the heating and cooling rates is the key to ensuring the aging effect. Cooling too quickly may cause new stresses.

3. Mechanism of stress release
During artificial aging, as the temperature increases, the atoms in the metal become more active and able to move more freely. When the machine tool body is heated to a certain extent, these atoms will rearrange, effectively reducing internal stress. This stress relief not only improves the structural stability of the machine tool, but also reduces the risk of deformation during subsequent machining. In addition, aging can eliminate local stress concentrations in the material and improve overall uniformity.

4. Improve machine tool performance
The rigidity and stability of the machine tool body after artificial aging treatment are significantly improved. This improvement allows machine tools to maintain higher accuracy during machining and reduce deformation caused by temperature changes or mechanical loads. After aging treatment, the machine tool performs well under extreme conditions such as high-speed cutting and heavy-load processing, reducing the failure rate. In addition, the aging treatment also enhances the fatigue resistance of the machine tool, thereby extending its service life.

5. Impact on manufacturing industry
With the continuous improvement of equipment performance requirements in the manufacturing industry, the application of artificial aging technology will become more and more widespread. This technology can not only improve product quality and reduce defective rates, but also improve production efficiency and promote industrial development. In a fiercely competitive market environment, companies can improve the market competitiveness of their products by adopting advanced aging processes to meet customers' needs for high precision and stability.