An epitrochoidal pocket—A new canned cycle for CNC milling machines

A machining strategy for milling a particular set of pockets with epitrochoidal boundary is proposed. The method is suitable to be integrated into the controller of a CNC milling machine and is particularly useful for machining chambers of rotary internal combustion engines (Wankel), rotary piston pumps and generally epitrochoidal-shaped housings. Motion generation is achieved by an algorithm which utilizes real-time CNC interpolation providing the highest possible accuracy, of which the milling machine is capable. The surface quality is controlled by applying roughing and finishing passes. The whole machining task can be programmed in a single block of the part program. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by simulation tests of the generated tool path.     

Towards efficient 5-axis flank CNC machining of free-form surfaces via fitting envelopes of surfaces of revolution

We introduce a new method that approximates free-form surfaces by envelopes of one-parameter motions of surfaces of revolution. In the context of 5-axis computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining, we propose a flank machining methodology which is a preferable scallop-free scenario when the milling tool and the machined free-form surface meet tangentially along a smooth curve. We seek both an optimal shape of the milling tool as well as its optimal path in 3D space and propose an optimization based framework where these entities are the unknowns. We propose two initialization strategies where the first one requires a user’s intervention only by setting the initial position of the milling tool while the second one enables to prescribe a preferable tool-path. We present several examples showing that the proposed method recovers exact envelopes, including semi-envelopes and incomplete data, and for general free-form objects it detects envelope sub-patches.     

A CNC machine tool interpolator for surfaces of cross-sectional design

A machining strategy for milling a particular set of surfaces, obtained by the technique of cross-sectional design is proposed. The surfaces considered are formed by sliding a Bezier curve (profile curve) along another Bezier curve (trajectory curve). The curves are located in perpendicular planes. The method employs a three-axis CNC milling machine equipped with suitable ball-end cutter and is based on the locus-tracing concept. The algorithm described, utilizes a real-time CNC interpolator providing the highest possible accuracy, of which the milling machine is capable. The surface quality is controlled by keeping the distance between scallops within a programmed value. Finally, the whole machining task can be programmed in a single block of the part program.     

复杂曲面笔式加工的直接插补算法

复杂曲面笔式加工时的工具轨迹是位于曲面上的自由曲线轨迹．针对此类形式的轨迹，给出一种复杂曲面笔式加工时的自由曲线型刀轨的直接插补算法，即对位于曲面上以投影方式形成的任意自由曲线形式的刀轨进行插补计算，生成控制机床运动的指令．该方法的实现扩充了CNC系统的轨迹控制功能，提高了复杂曲面的加工效率．仿真和试切的结果证明算法可行而且有效．该算法也可以应用到整体曲面加工中．     

An advanced STEP-NC controller for intelligent machining processes

Major improvements in high speed machining technologies are not followed by suitable evolutions of the programming standard ISO 6983, also called G-code. New STEP-NC standard aims at performing high level intelligent NC programming adapted to modern machining issues. The integration of manufacturing level in the numerical chain CAD–CAM–Simulation–CNC allows the implementation of a unique file gathering of all the needed information of a part that is directly machined without post-processing. In this paper, the authors show the new possibilities in terms of the following criteria: integrating simulation and optimization of the machining parameters, providing feedback to CNC controller, allowing modifications of the geometry and machining parameters on the CNC, computing new algorithms for tool-paths generation, adaptation to machine structure and characteristics, etc. A STEP-NC interface has been developed for CNC machine tools. It enables parts machining from a STEP-NC file and integrates several new possibilities and opens the way of intelligent high level programming including the machine model and an adaptation to machining real conditions.     

An optimal approach to multiple tool selection and their numerical control path generation for aggressive rough machining of pockets with free-form boundaries

To machine pockets, especially ones with closed free-form boundary curves, roughing is crucial to part productivity, for this operation alone could take more than 60% of the total machining time. At present, there is a high demand from industry for a new machining technique that can efficiently cut pockets. Aggressive rough machining, in which the largest possible cutters are always employed and are fully immersed in workpieces, can be a solution. Although aggressive roughing is by far the most efficient machining strategy, compared to prior pocketing methods, no computer numerical control (CNC) programming technique has been developed to support it, resulting in few applications in machine shops. To address this urgent industrial need, based on the medial axis transform of a pocket, this work proposes an optimal approach to multiple tool selection and their numerical control (NC) path generation for aggressive roughing of the pocket. First, the NC paths of a specific tool are quickly generated using the pocket’s medial axis transform. Thanks to the unique characteristic of the medial axis transform, the paths can ensure the tool the largest accessible space for pocketing. At the same time, they can guarantee the tool to be free of gouging and interference. Then, an optimization model of selecting multiple cutters and generating their NC paths is built in order to achieve the highest efficiency of the aggressive rough machining. To demonstrate the advantages of this innovative approach, two examples are rendered, and their results are compared to those obtained by the existing methods. This approach can be directly implemented into current CAD/CAM software to promote aggressive rough machining of pockets in industry.     

Hybrid adaptive layer manufacturing: An Intelligent art of direct metal rapid tooling process

A direct metal rapid tool making process, hybrid-layered manufacturing (HLM), was developed for building metallic dies and molds. This unique methodology has a numerical controlled system that integrates the TransPulse Synergic Metal Inert Gas (MIG)/Metal Active Gas (MAG) welding process for near-net layer deposition and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling process for net shaping. A customized software program was made to calculate the required adaptive slice thickness for the deposition of the filler metal with welding process as successive layers from the lowest to the topmost layer direction and to generate the required NC codes for machining from the top to the bottom layer direction of the deposited metallic layers for attaining the required contour profile shape. To implement this proposed process, a low-cost three-axis manipulator was fabricated with stepper motor divers in open-loop control and integrated with the weld machine. Adequate isolation to protect the motion control electronics from welding spike was incorporated. Synchronization of this two-step processing of each layer, yielding near-net deposition with welding process and near-net shaping with CNC milling operation offers a new accelerator way of building metal tools and dies.     

An FPGA-based low-cost VLIW floating-point processor for CNC applications

In the high-speed free-form surface machining, the real-time motion planning and interpolation is a challenging task. This paper presents the design and implementation of a dedicated processor for the interpolation task in computerized numerical control (CNC) machine tools. The jerk-limited look-ahead motion planning and interpolation algorithm has been integrated in the interpolation processor to achieve smooth motion in the high-speed machining. The processor features a compactly designed floating-point parallel computing architecture, which employs a 3-stage pipelined reduced instruction set computer (RISC) core and a very long instruction word (VLIW) floating-point arithmetic unit. A new asynchronous execution mechanism has been employed in the processor to allow multi-cycle instructions to be performed in parallel. The proposed processor has been verified on a low-cost field programmable gate array (FPGA) chip in a prototype controller. Experimental result has demonstrated the significant improvement of the computing performance with the interpolation processor in the free-form surface machining.     

Open-architecture of CNC system and mirror milling technology for a 5-axis hybrid robot

This paper presents an open-architecture of CNC system and mirror milling technology for a new-type 5-axis hybrid robot named TriMule. The CNC system with dual CPUs is developed first to achieve human-computer interaction and motion control. Then, three key technologies are integrated in the system for improving the control quality, including singularity avoidance, feedforward control considering joint couplings and real-time error compensation by using externally mounted encoders. Based on these control technologies for single robot system, a collaborative machining strategy on the mirror milling system that consists of two TriMule robots is proposed to control the machining wall thickness of large thin-walled structural parts. Experiments on the TriMule robot and mirror milling system verify that the acceptable machining accuracy on the NAS test part and large thin-walled structural part can be ensured by using the developed CNC system and technologies. The root mean square of wall thickness error using the collaborative machining strategy can be 41.67% lower than the case without using the strategy.     

Open architecture of CNC system research based on CAD graph-driven technology

Based on CAD graph-driven technology, a kind of novel open architecture CNC system is put forward and designed together with the key hardware “PC+PMAC controller”. The intelligent CNC system software including several function modules is developed under Visual C++6.0 environment. Graphic feature identification and geometric parameter extraction from CAD-part-drawing saved as DXF format are performed to control the relative motion between cutting tool and part. The ant-colony algorithm is applied to auto-optimize the cutting tool paths in machining process. The experiment results of a plane engraving machining example show that the proposed method is feasible, and the entire machining process no longer needs NC programming. The efficiency of CNC machining is improved greatly, and the true intelligent CNC machining can be realized when the advanced programming technologies are integrated in one system according to the proposed conception.     

Automated tool sequence selection for 3-axis machining of free-form pockets

This paper describes an efficient method to find the lowest cost tool sequence for rough machining free-form pockets on a 3-axis milling machine. The free-form pocket is approximated to within a predefined tolerance of the desired surface using series of 2.5-D layers of varying thicknesses that can be efficiently removed with flat-end milling cutters. A graph-based method finds an optimal sequence of tools for rough machining the approximated pocket. The algorithm used here can be tuned to suit any available tool set and preferred cost models. The tool sequence that is obtained is near optimal, and may take into account tool wear, as well as various overhead costs of the machine shop.     

An innovative software architecture to improve information flow from CAM to CNC

Over the years, machine tool evolution has allowed faster equipment, using new configurations, to manufacture parts that were almost impossible to machine in the past. Despite this tremendous evolution in machine and control technologies, the metalworking industry is still using the old ISO 6983 G-Codes programming interface to control the motion of these machines. This programming interface is not the most flexible or most appropriate for use by new open-architecture machine controllers and object-oriented high-level machining interfaces such as ISO 14649 (STEP-NC). This work proposes an innovative language, the ‘Base Numerical Control Language (BNCL),’ which is based on a low-level simple instruction set-like approach. The architecture is designed around two concepts: the BNCL virtual machine, which acts as a virtual microprocessor, and the BNCL virtual hardware, which is an abstraction of the machine tool. The language is characterised by its simplicity and flexibility, two qualities that are critical in a market in which the capabilities and performance of machines are constantly improving. The proposed architectural concepts are validated through various computer simulation and physical tests, including performance throughput, trajectory driving, and CNC controller extension capabilities.     

Patch programming: The integration of motion planning into numerical control

The conventional input of a CNC, a sequence of data points, describing the tool motion necessary for machining free-form curves and surfaces, represent a huge amount of information. Usually these are stored on papertape, and are difficult to handle and occupy an unacceptable amount of storage. As sculptured surfaces are usually described as sets of bicubic patches, it is a straightforward solution to extend the CNC-s capabilities with cubic interpolations. The tool path is calculated real time, during the cutting process. Figures are given to underline the advantages of the system.     

A practicable approach to G biarc approximations for making accurate, smooth and non-gouged profile features in CNC contouring

Extensive research on G¹ biarc approximations to free-form curves has been conducted for the production of accurate, smooth and non-gouged profile features in CNC contouring. However, all the published work has only focused on improving the fitting accuracy between the biarc curve and the nominal free-form curve of a profile and minimizing the biarc number; as a result, the radii of the concave arcs of some biarcs could be less than the pre-determined tool radius, and the tool would overcut these arcs in machining, eventually gouging the profile. In this work, a new, practicable approach is proposed to completely solve this problem. The main feature of this approach is to find the gouging-free parameter interval of a biarc family, among which the radii of all the concave arcs are larger than the tool radius, and then to search in this interval for a best fitting biarc so that its approximation accuracy is within the tolerance. This approach is robust and easy to implement and can substantially promote the use of G¹ biarc curves for CNC machining.     

Neural-Network-Based Numerical Control for Milling Machine

We describe a device which uses a neural network to generate part-programs for milling, drilling and similar operations on machining centres, on the basis of 2D, 2.5D or 3D geometric models of prismatic parts, without operator intervention. The neural network consists of networks for prediction of milling strategy, for prediction of surface quality and for the optimisation of technological parameters in milling. We introduce the surface complexity index (SCI) for identifying surfaces which are very difficult to machine. The SCI takes the surface roughness and machining strategy into account. Teaching and testing of the NN is described. The device, which can be retrofitted to a CNC controller, can be trained from a set of typical parts and will then generate new NC part-programs. A case study of a tool used in the automotive supplier industry shows how a milling strategy is proposed, according to set constraints.     

Dimensional and geometrical errors of three-axis CNC milling machines in a virtual machining system

Virtual machining systems are applying computers and different types of software in manufacturing and production in order to simulate and model errors of real environment in virtual reality systems. Many errors of CNC machine tools have an effect on the accuracy and repeatability of part manufacturing. Some of these errors can be reduced by controlling the machining process and environmental parameters. However geometrical errors which have a big portion of total error need more attention. In this paper a virtual machining system which simulates the dimensional and geometrical errors of real three-axis milling machining operations is described. The system can read the machining codes of parts and enforce 21 errors associated with linear and rotational motion axes in order to generate new codes to represent the actual machining operation. In order to validate the system free form profiles and surfaces of virtual and real machined parts are compared in order to present the reliability and accuracy of the software.     

一种新颖铣床智能数控系统的体系结构及其硬件实现

提出了一种新颖的开放式铣床智能数控系统的体系结构。该结构具有多层次、面向任务、模拟化的特征。在功能上加入了智能控制模块和刀具状况监视模块，以此提高数控机床的加工效率，并使加工精度得到保证。详细介绍了智能数控系统硬件的实现方法，该系统的硬件配置具有功能强、成本低、软件资源丰富、实用性好等特点。     

Inverse kinematics for optimal tool orientation control in 5-axis CNC machining

The problem of determining the inputs to the rotary axes of a 5-axis CNC machine is addressed, such that relative variations of orientation between the tool axis and surface normal are minimized subject to the constraint of maintaining a constant cutting speed with a ball-end tool. In the context of an orientable-spindle machine, the results of a prior study are directly applicable to the solution of this inverse-kinematics problem. However, since they are expressed in terms of the integral of the geodesic curvature, a discrete time-step solution is proposed that yields accurate rotary-axis increments at high sampling frequencies. For an orientable-table machine, a closed-form solution that specifies the rotary-axis positions as functions of the surface normal variation along the toolpath is possible. In this context, however, the feasibility of a solution is dependent upon the surface normal along the toolpath satisfying certain orientational constraints. These inverse-kinematics solutions facilitate accurate and efficient 5-axis machining of free-form surfaces without “unnecessary” actuation of the machine rotary axes.     

Remote real-time CNC machining for web-based manufacturing

Today's machining shop floors, characterized by large variety of products in small batch sizes, require dynamic control and real-time monitoring capabilities that are responsive and adaptive to the rapid changes of production capability and functionality. It is especially true when the shop floors are combined with the e-manufacturing concept. However, a highly efficient infrastructure that can integrate the pieces of automated equipment together and link them to the e-manufacturing is still missing. The objective of this research is to develop an appropriate methodology with open architecture for real-time monitoring and remote control of networked CNC machines. A framework named Wise-ShopFloor (Web-based-integrated sensor-driven e-ShopFloor) is designed for this purpose. Within the context, this paper presents a new enabling technology to bring traditional CNC machine tools on-line with combined monitoring and control capability. Issues such as architecture design, methodology development, and prototype implementation are addressed through a milling machine case study. It is expected that the developed technology can be readily applied to real shop floor environments with increased productivity, flexibility, and responsiveness.     

多坐标曲面加工中进给速度的优化控制1)

介绍了基于曲面CNC(Computer Numerical Control)直接插补方式的多坐标曲面加工中进给速度的控制原理.综合考虑刀具相对零件表面切削进给速度的恒定,曲面形状引起的各运动轴速度及其变化率不超过伺服驱动能力,以及机床在启动、停止和速度变化时的平滑加减速运动控制等因素,实现了进给速度的合理确定与控制,可有效提高曲面加工质量和加工效率.