Modal analysis and stiffness optimization: the case of a tool machine for ceramic tile surface finishing

Considering the customers' demand for high quality products, surface finishing represents an extremely delicate phase in the production of ceramic tiles. In these terms, stiffer machinery can be considered a practical response to the need of accurate manufacturing processes. This research is focused on investigating and improving the (elasto)dynamic behaviour of a large machine tool, used for polishing and lapping ceramic tiles. A modal analysis was realized comparing natural frequencies in respect to different design solutions. The stiffness optimization was obtained by changing the structural design.