This paper is concerned with the work involved in improving the machining accuracy of a cantilever boring bar by on line compensation with a piezoelectric actuator. A boring bar is made into lever structure, with strain gauges attached to the bar for measuring its force induced deflections. The piezoelectric actuator is employed to compensate the deflections of the boring bar for accuracy improvement. Due to the mechanical advantage of the structure, the boring bar can be made into smaller size. The diameter of the bar implemented is 10 mm and the ratio of length to diameter (L/D) is larger than 8. It is found that the machining accuracy is improved considerably by using the piezoelectric actuator compensation system.
