Studies in dynamic design of drilling machine using updated finite element models AbstractThe aim of the present work is to develop updated FE models of a drilling machine using analytical and experimental results. These updated FE models have been used to predict the effect of structural dynamic modifications on vibration characteristics of the drilling machine. Two studies have been carried out on the machine. In the first study, modal tests have been carried out on a drilling machine using instrumented impact hammer. Modal identification has been done using global method of modal identification. For analytical FE modeling of the machine, a computer program has been developed. The results obtained using FEM, have been correlated with the experimental ones using mode shape comparison and MAC values. Analytical FE model has been updated, with the help of a program, which has been developed using direct methods of model updating. In the second study, modal testing has been carried out using random noise generator and modal exciter. Global method has been used for modal identification. Analytical FE modeling has been done using I-DEAS software. Correlation of FE results with the experimental ones has been carried out using FEMtools software. Updating of the analytical FE model has also been done using the above software, based on an indirect technique viz. sensitivity based parameter estimation technique. The updated FE models, obtained from both the studies have been used for structural dynamic modifications (SDM), for the purpose of dynamic design and the results of SDM predictions are seen to be reasonably satisfactory. Article Outline1. Introduction 2. Modal testing and identification 3. Finite element formulation of drilling machine 4. Comparison of analytical FE and experimental results (model correlation) 5. Finite element model updating 6. SDM studies using updated models for dynamic design 7. Conclusions References1. IntroductionDynamic design aims at obtaining desired dynamic characteristics in machines and structures, which may include shifting of natural frequencies, desired mode shapes and vibratory response. The ultimate objectives are to have a quieter and more comfortable environment, higher reliability and better quality of product. The conventional dynamic design is basically hit and trial method in which we try to achieve desired dynamic characteristics by making several prototypes. The disadvantage of this technique is that actual design cycle takes a lot of time and therefore it is not cost effective. However, model updating based dynamic design saves design cycle time as well as reduces the cost involved. Various tools used for updating based dynamic design are: experimental modal analysis (EMA) including modal testing and modal identification, model updating and structural dynamic modification. Ewins 1 and Maia and Silva 2 have explained the basic concepts of modal testing, which is an experimental approach to obtain mathematical model of a structure. In a modal test, the structure under test is excited either by an impact hammer or by a modal exciter, and the response of the structure is recorded at several experimental points, in the form of frequency response functions (FRFs), using a dual channel FFT analyzer. The experimental modal model gives information about the natural frequencies, corresponding mode shapes and modal damping factor and is useful for model updating. The model updating techniques helps us to bring analytical finite element models closer to real systems. In model updating an initial analytical FE model constructed for analyzing the dynamics of a structure is refined or updated using test data measured on actual structure such that the updated model describes the dynamic properties of the structure more correctly. The inaccuracies in FEM, when applied to dynamic problems are due to uncertainties in boundary conditions and structural damping etc. Friswell and Mottershead 3 have discussed the finite element model updating in structural dynamics. Baruch and Bar-Itzhack and Baruch 4 and 5 considered analytical mass matrix to be exact and developed a direct method for updating using test data. Berman and Nagy 6 developed a method of model updating, which uses measured modes and natural frequencies to improve analytical mass and stiffness matrices. Structural dynamic modification (SDM) techniques 7 and 8 are the methods by which dynamic behaviour of the structure is improved by predicting the modified behaviour brought about by adding modifications like those of lumped masses, rigid links, dampers etc. Thus the dynamic design using updated model is expected to be helpful in order to predict accurately and quickly, the effect of possible modifications on the dynamic characteristics of the structure at computer level itself, thus saving time and cost. Sestieri 7 has discussed SDM application to machine tools and eng