An improved feedrate scheduling method for NURBS interpolation in five-axis machining

Five-axis machining plays an important role in manufacturing by dint of its high efficiency and accuracy. While two rotation axes benefit the flexibility of machining, it also brings limitations and challenges. In order to further balance machining precision and efficiency, an improved feedrate scheduling method is presented considering geometric error and kinematic constraints for the Non Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) interpolation in five-axis machining. A simplification method is proposed to calculate the geometric error which describes the deviation between the ideal tool path and the real tool path induced by the non-linear movement. A linear relation between geometric error and feedrate is built to limit the feedrate. The constraints determined by single axis kinematic performance and tangential kinematic performance are also considered. Under these constraints, a constrained feedrate profile is determined. Aiming to get more constant feedrate in the difficult-to-machine areas, this work proposes a scheduling method which combines morphological filtering and S-shape acceleration/deceleration (acc/dec) mode. Simulations and experiments are performed to compare the proposed feedrate scheduling method with two previous feedrate scheduling method and the results prove that the proposed feedrate scheduling method is reliable and effective.     

Adaptive parametric interpolation scheme with limited acceleration and jerk values for NC machining

Parametric interpolation has many advantages over the traditional linear or circular interpolation in computer numerical control (CNC) machining. The existing work in this regard is reported to have achieved constant feedrate, confined chord error and limited acceleration/deceleration in one interpolator. However, the excessive jerk still exists due to abrupt change in acceleration profile, which will cause shock to the machine as well as deteriorate the surface accuracy. In this paper, an adaptive interpolation scheme incorporating machine’s dynamics capability consideration is proposed and illustrated in details. In the proposed algorithm, the commanded feedrate is maintained at most of the time and adaptively reduced in large curvature areas to meet the demand of the machining accuracy requirement, while at the same time, the acceleration and jerk values are limited within the machine’s capabilities during the whole interpolation process. It ensures a high machining accuracy, eliminates the phenomenon of overshoot/undershoot and reduces mechanical shock to the machine tools. The real-time performance of this interpolator is also measured to demonstrate its practical application. Two non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) curve interpolation experiments are provided to verify the feasibility and advantages of the proposed scheme.     

A local smoothing interpolation method for short line segments to realize continuous motion of tool axis acceleration

In traditional processing, a large number of G01 blocks are adopted to discretize free surface or curve for NC machining. But, the continuity of G01 line segments is only C⁰, which may lead to discontinuity of axis acceleration, resulting in the frequent fluctuation of tool motion at the junctions in high-speed machining, deteriorating the quality of work piece, and reducing processing efficiency. To solve this problem, a local smoothing interpolation method is proposed in this paper. At first, the analytic relationship between the continuity of the trajectory and the continuity of the axes motion is first systematically described by formula. Based on this relationship, a local smoothing algorithm and a feed-rate scheduling method are proposed to generate a C² continuous tool path motion with axis-acceleration continuity. The local smoothing algorithm smoothes the corners of G01 blocks by the cubic B-spline according to the cornering error tolerance specified by the user. After the feed rate at critical points of smoothed tool path was determined by a modified bidirectional scanning algorithm by considering constrains of chord error and kinematic property, an iterative S-shape feed rate scheduling is employed to minimize residual distance caused by round of time while ensuring the continuity of feed rate and acceleration. Then, a look-ahead interpolation strategy combined with smoothing algorithm and feed-rate scheduling as mentioned is proposed for real-time interpolation of short line segments. At last, simulations are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods. Compared with the traditional G01 interpolation, it can significantly improve the processing efficiency and shorten the processing time within error tolerance.     

面向高速加工的样条曲线实时插补算法

数控加工追求更高的加工效率和光洁的加工表面,但大多数样条曲线插补算法是根据进给速度、最大合加/减速度和合加加速度来设计的,并没有考虑如何充分利用单轴的最大加减速能力。提出一种时间近似最优的样条曲线实时插补算法,它面向数控系统对高速加工的需求,在考虑机床动态性能的基础上,充分利用单轴的最大加减速能力,以达到理论上近似最优的加工效率。同时该算法通过预处理求速度限制曲线、速度曲线反向链接和平滑处理三个步骤求出满足加工精度以及机床单轴的最大加速度、加加速度等约束条件的加工速度曲线,能有效提高加工表面的粗糙度。仿真结果表明,该算法在有效提高加工效率的同时,能实现对减速点的精确定位,得到光滑的加工速度曲线。     

An adaptive feedrate scheduling method of dual NURBS curve interpolator for precision five-axis CNC machining

Non-uniform rational b-spline (NURBS) tool path is becoming more and more important due to the increasing requirement for machining geometrically complex parts. However, NURBS interpolators, particularly related to five-axis machining, are quite limited and still keep challenging. In this paper, an adaptive feedrate scheduling method of dual NURBS curve interpolator with geometric and kinematic constraints is proposed for precision five-axis machining. A surface expressed by dual NURBS curves, which can continuously and accurately describe cutter tip position and cutter axis orientation, is first used to define five-axis tool path. For the given machine configuration, the calculation formulas of angular feedrate and geometric error aroused by interpolation are given, and then, the adaptive feedrate along the tool path is scheduled with confined nonlinear geometric error and angular feedrate. Combined with the analytical relations of feed acceleration with respect to the arc length parameter and feedrate, the feed profiles of linear and angular feed acceleration sensitive regions are readjusted with corresponding formulas and bi-directional scan algorithm, respectively. Simulations are performed to validate the feasibility of the proposed feed scheduling method of dual NURBS curve interpolator. It shows that the proposed method is able to ensure the geometric accuracy and good machining performances in five-axis machining especially in flank machining.     

基于高阶非均匀有理 B 样条插补的多轴运动控制方法研究

针对传统多轴运动控制系统在作业中存在轨迹转折处不平顺、加速度和加加速度切换不平滑产生变速冲击以及轨迹不能进行局部修改的问题,提出了一种基于高阶非均匀有理 B 样条插补的多轴运动控制算法。首先,构建五次非均匀有理 B 样条插补算法,对样条曲线数据进行预处理,根据非均匀有理 B 样条曲线反算出控制点并生成控制多边形;其次,利用 MATLAB 构建多轴机械臂和高阶非均匀有理 B 样条插补算法模型,通过给定型值点进行轨迹规划仿真。仿真结果表明:基于高阶非均匀有理 B 样条的多轴运动控制插补方法相对于低阶非均匀有理 B 样条曲线轨迹更圆滑,末端更能高效平稳地到达给定目标点;速度、加速度和加加速度的过渡更加平滑减少机械磨损,从而提高了运动的平稳性;并且该方法还能够对运动轨迹进行局部修改,提升了多轴运动控制的作业质量。     

Time-optimal interpolation for five-axis CNC machining along parametric tool path based on linear programming

In this paper, the time-optimal velocity planning problem for five-axis computer numerical control machining along a given parametric tool path under chord error, acceleration, and jerk constraints is studied. The velocity planning problem under confined chord error, feedrate, and acceleration is reduced to an equivalent linear programming problem by discretizing the tool path and other quantities. As a consequence, a polynomial time algorithm with computational complexity O(N ^3.5) is given to find the optimal solution, where N is the number of discretized segments of the tool path. The velocity planning problem under confined chord error, feedrate, acceleration, and jerk is reduced to a linear programming program by using a linear function to approximate the nonlinear jerk constraint. As a consequence, a polynomial time algorithm is given to find the approximate time-optimal solution. Simulation results are used to show the efficiency and effectiveness of the algorithms.     

A NURBS interpolation algorithm with continuous feedrate

The high-speed precision machining of a part requires minimal feedrate fluctuation and contour error, and parametric spline interpolations have proven to be superior over linear and circular interpolations. However, parametric spline interpolations may result in large feedrate fluctuation due to an inaccurate mapping between the spline parameter u and the displacement S. This paper presents a non-uniform rational B-spline interpolation algorithm with compensatory parameter to minimize feedrate fluctuation and contour error. Since the cubic or quintic polynomials expressing the u-S mapping are acquired, they can be calculated by two consecutive interpolation points with the continuity condition. Thus, the parameter u can be calculated quickly and accurately by substituting the desired displacement S into the cubic or quintic polynomials. Simulation shows that the feedrate fluctuation of the proposed algorithm is much smaller than that of Taylor interpolation algorithms and Feed correction algorithm.     

Real-time NURBS curve interpolator based on section

Parameter interpolation is more capable of modern computer numerical control (CNC) than traditional linear/circular interpolation with higher speed and higher precision. Most of non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) interpolation algorithms were developed based on the chord error and machines capability, where interpolation points are calculated beforehand to overcome acceleration/deceleration (acc/dec) and jerk problem, which needs large memory. In this paper, a NURBS interpolator based on feedrate section is proposed. Instead of a single interpolation point, this interpolator aims to feedrate section, which makes it possible to run on a digital signal processor or field programmable gate array (FPGA) whose memory is limited. Experiment on FPGA showed the performance of interpolation. A mould experiment verifies the feasibility of application.     

Linear Interpolation of machining tool-paths with robust vibration avoidance and contouring error control

This paper presents a reference trajectory (command) generation scheme to robustly avoid residual vibrations that occur due to rapid acceleration of machine axes in high-speed machining and positioning tasks. A robust Finite impulse response (FIR) filter is designed to generate reference motion commands for accurate real-time interpolation of linear toolpaths along point-to-point (P2P) and non-stop contouring trajectories. The designed FIR filter generates reference acceleration profiles with wide attenuation bands in the frequency spectrum to avoid unwanted vibrations. Design and tuning principles for the robust FIR filter are presented, and kinematics of the generated reference trajectories are analyzed. Contour errors that occur during rapid non-stop linear interpolation are estimated from the filter dynamics. A feedrate scheduling method is introduced to analytically confine those interpolation contour errors within user specified tolerances. Effectiveness of the proposed trajectory generation scheme is validated in actual machining tests, and it is benchmarked against the state-of-the-art technique. It is shown that developed FIR-based trajectory generator can robustly avoid unwanted inertial vibrations to produce smoother surfaces without elongating cycle times.     

新型5轴混联加工单元的后置处理算法

5轴混联加工单元因其高刚性、快速响应及灵活调姿等优点,已被视为复杂铝合金结构件高效加工的一种替代方案。后置处理是改善此类装备加工能力的重要环节。以一种新型5轴混联加工单元为研究对象,提出一种可提高其加工件表面质量的后置处理算法。首先,基于B样条曲线构造一种双参数曲线插补算法,进行刀尖和刀轴轨迹的光顺处理,并采用参数同步化保证刀尖点与刀轴点的同步插补。其次,通过推导混联加工单元的速度映射模型,构造驱动轴的速度分配算法以确保刀尖进给速度的稳定性;接着,运用混联加工单元的位置逆解与速度分配策略,将其末端的进给速度、光顺处理后的刀尖插补点及刀轴插补点转换成驱动轴的位置与速度运动控制点集,实现混联加工单元刀具轨迹的后置处理;最后,基于前期开发的实验样机开展一组S形试件的切削实验,验证所提后置处理算法的有效性。     

High accurate interpolation of NURBS tool path for CNC machine tools

Feedrate fluctuation caused by approximation errors of interpolation methods has great effects on machining quality in NURBS interpolation, but few methods can efficiently eliminate or reduce it to a satisfying level without sacrificing the computing efficiency at present. In order to solve this problem, a high accurate interpolation method for NURBS tool path is proposed. The proposed method can efficiently reduce the feedrate fluctuation by forming a quartic equation with respect to the curve parameter increment, which can be efficiently solved by analytic methods in real-time. Theoretically, the proposed method can totally eliminate the feedrate fluctuation for any 2nd degree NURBS curves and can interpolate 3rd degree NURBS curves with minimal feedrate fluctuation. Moreover, a smooth feedrate planning algorithm is also proposed to generate smooth tool motion with considering multiple constraints and scheduling errors by an efficient planning strategy. Experiments are conducted to verify the feasibility and applicability of the proposed method. This research presents a novel NURBS interpolation method with not only high accuracy but also satisfying computing efficiency.     

Generating efficient toolpath by cutter posture optimization in five-axis machining based on inverse feedback mechanism

This paper proposes a tool posture optimization method in five-axis machining using configuration space (C-Space) transformation according to the inverse feedback message. In conventional computer numerical control (CNC) manufacture process, the machining status information transmission is in single direction, and the CNC system interpolates the toolpaths without feedback. However, considering the drives’ acceleration and deceleration, the interpolation situation would greatly affect the machining efficiency and the trajectory should be adjusted in CNC. In this case, the toolpath efficiency is deteriorated and unable to be evaluated exactly by traditional c omputer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system, where the efficiency is approximately estimated by the length of toolpath. In this paper, an inverse feedback mechanism is proposed; the simulated information on CNC system interpolation can be feedback to CAM system to help evaluate the toolpath efficiency. An axis-based dynamic confined feedrate schedule model is used to find the feed sensitive zones of the toolpaths. A C-Space method is adopted to adjust the tool postures in the sensitive zones. Several examples are given to verify the method, and the machining efficiency is raised by 10% on the whole after feedback optimization.     

三次均匀B样条曲线高速实时插补研究

为满足复杂曲线高速和高精度的加工要求,研究了具有轨迹预读功能的三次均匀B样条曲线速度规划和插补算法.提出了"重叠拼接法",实现了相邻两条B样条曲线段的光滑连接;推导了插补钳制速度的计算公式,保证了加工精度,满足了系统的动态响应能力.在引入"规划单元"概念的基础上,将速度规划和插补设计成B样条曲线插值、规划单元划分、速度规划、规划单元插补四个并行计算的线程,解决了三次均匀B样条曲线高速加工的插补实时性问题.最后,在GT100数控系统中验证了算法的有效性.     

Adaptive feedrate interpolation with multiconstraints for five-axis parametric toolpath

A good adaptive feedrate will be helpful for improving machining accuracy and efficiency, as well as avoiding the excess of the machine’s physical capabilities and feed fluctuations during machining. Therefore, it is highly desirable to consider the constraints of geometric error, cutting performance, and drive constraints in the feedrate scheduling of the parametric curve interpolator for five-axis computer numerical control machining. In this paper, a novel multiconstraints feedrate scheduling method is proposed for the parametric curve interpolator in five-axis machining. In the method, the feed optimization model is first built with the constraints of geometric error, the maximum feedrate and acceleration of cutter tip, and the maximum feedrate and acceleration of five-drive axes. Then, the relations between each constraint and the cutter tip feedrate are derived by means of near arc length parameterization. After that, a linear programming algorithm is applied to obtain the optimal feed profile on the sampling positions of the given tool path. Finally, illustrated examples are given to validate the feasibility and applicability of the proposed feedrate scheduling method. The comparison results show that the proposed method has an ability of the simultaneous guarantees of geometric accuracy, cutting performance, and drive characters of machine tools.     

基于进给速度引导曲线的参数曲线实时插补器

设计了一种基于进给速度引导曲线的参数曲线实时插补器,给出了进给速度引导曲线的B-样条曲线生成方法。该方法在数控加工之前,通过建立进给速度引导曲线,来取代参数曲线实时插补进给速度规划的前瞻处理。实验表明,采用这种基于速度引导曲线的参数曲线实时插补器后,实时计算任务少,可以获得良好的伺服轴进给速度平滑效果和实时插补性能。     

Parameter u and arc S modeling of B-spline for NC machining with CL points preprocessing algorithm

This paper proposes a novel B-spline interpolation based on CL points preprocessing algorithm and on u-S modeling, aiming to overcome the shortages of linear and circular interpolations. A B-spline toolpath trajectory is generated by fitting a given set of CL points. CL points are preprocessed by chord distance to reduce computation load, thus using fewer feature CL points to generate a B-spline toolpath trajectory. As for disadvantages due to parameter updating for B-spline interpolation, a fifth order polynomial based on u-S modeling is constructed to map the desired curve length S to the corresponding spline parameter u, cutting the real-time computation load. Simulation results are provided to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed interpolation algorithm.     

Design of jerk bounded feedrate with ripple effect for adaptive nurbs interpolator

A method for obtaining smooth, jerk bounded feedrate profile in high speed machining has been developed. This study proposes a NURBS interpolator based on adaptive feedrate control with a well developed lookahead algorithm. It is found that the values of the feedrate of the down stream sharp corner have profound effect on the feedrate of the upstream sharp corners causing a ripple effect (RE). By using a windowing scheme the feedrate profile obtained after lookahead is re-interpolated to obtain a continuous velocity and acceleration profiles which reduces the jerk related problems. This is compared with the adaptive NURBS interpolator to show the effectiveness of the proposed method. Simulation results indicate that the consideration of ripple effect is important in avoiding jerk and thereby increasing the machining accuracy.