Ensuring geometric accuracy when grinding non-rigid shafts

Low stiffness shafts are shafts with a length-to-diameter ratio of more than 10. Due to
their low stiffness, when machining under the influence of radial cutting forces, the axis of the
workpiece is distorted, forming a barrel-shaped profile with an increase in diameter from the
edges to the middle of the cross-section. To achieve the required geometric accuracy it is
necessary to make several passes, which reduces machining productivity. Developing
techniques to ensure accuracy in machining such parts becomes important.
The occurrence of barrel-shape in machining of low rigid shafts is due to deflection of
the workpiece under the action of mainly radial cutting forces. The solution to the part accuracy
problem has two aspects: 1) reducing cutting forces; 2) increasing the stiffness of the machining
system to reduce workpiece deformation.