Energy Efficiency in Turning: A Comparative Analysis of Screw Drive and Linear Drive CNC Machine Tools

This paper presents a comparative analysis of the energy efficiency of screw drive and linear drive CNC machine tools in turning operations. Two CNC lathes were investigated, one equipped with screw drives and the other with linear drives, during the turning of specially prepared parts. The research examines active and reactive energy consumption, offering insights into the energy efficiency of different drive technologies. The analysis indicates that lathes with linear drives exhibited a higher reactive power consumption (8 kVar) during idle operation in comparison to those with screw drives (1.2 kVar). However, both drive systems demonstrated comparable potential for reducing reactive power consumption through implementing compensation techniques, with a reduction in reactive power consumption of nearly 70%. For both drive systems, the reduction in power use with compensation was at the level of 23-30% for screw drives and 36-47% for linear drives. The study highlights the importance of considering both active and reactive energy in evaluating the energy efficiency of machine tools. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of energy consumption in turning processes, aiding in the selection and optimization of drive systems for improved sustainability in manufacturing. Future research should explore tool wear impacts, machine-specific energy optimization, and AI-driven solutions for real-time energy management.