Appts. controlling vibrational chatter in machine tool - first transducer generates electrical signal representative of applied cutting forces

A first transducer is spatially disposed from the tool-workpiece interface and generates an electrical signal representative of the applied cutting forces on the workpiece. This force signal is applied to a workpiece movement synthesis circuit for continuous calculation of the workpiece displacement in response to cutting forces and in accordance with continuously updated static and dynamic characteristics of the machine structure and workpiece. Simultaneously, another transducer on the machine structure continuously provides a tool acceleration signal for use in deriving an electrical signal representing the actual displacement of the tool. The synthesis circuit output signal representing the calculated workpiece displacement is electronically compared with the signal representing the actual tool displacement.