Thermodynamic performance analysis and improvement for cross-saddle type slide of electric discharge machine

As the key connecting part of the electrical discharge machine (EDM), the slide of cross-saddle type directly impacts the machine tool’s machining accuracy. In this paper, the friction heats of the bearing and ball screw pair are the main heat source, considering the thermal contact resistance (TCR), making the coupled thermos-mechanical deformation analysis for the slide applied the finite element analysis (FEA) software. According to the analysis result, the temperature field and thermal deformation considering the TCR are closer to the actual working condition; in addition, proposed two kinds of optimization design structures. Using the same conditions to analyze these structures, finding that a drop in temperature and the thermal deformation, especially the cellular form of stiffened plate structure. The analysis results not only provide a basis that the further optimization of the slide structure, but also highlight the advantages of the honeycomb structure.