Thermo-Structural Coupled Finite Element Analysis—Based Deformation Prediction of the Feed System in Precision Machining Centers

As the demands for machining accuracy and stability continue to rise, thermal deformation of the feed system in machining centers during prolonged operation has become increasingly significant. This study employs a thermo-structural coupled finite element analysis method to model and simulate a representative machining-center feed system. First, a three-dimensional geometric model of the feed system is constructed, and an appropriate mesh, boundary conditions, and thermal loads are applied to obtain the operating temperature field. Next, based on the computed temperature distribution, a temperature–stress coupled analysis is performed to extract the thermal deformation characteristics, upon which a deformation-prediction model is developed. To validate the model’s accuracy, a series of experiments are designed and conducted, and the measured data are compared with the simulation results. The findings demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively predict the thermal deformation of the feed system under various operating conditions, with prediction errors within acceptable limits; moreover, the model exhibits good applicability and robustness. Finally, combining simulation and experimental results, improvement recommendations for feed-system thermal deformation are proposed, providing theoretical foundations and engineering guidance for optimizing the thermal stability of precision machining centers.