Adaptive Machining via Spectroscopy Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current machining processes for components made from graded or layered materials lack integration of local material composition information, which is essential for optimizing material removal and addition during machining, particularly in adaptive manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a spectroscopy device into a multi-axis machine tool driven by an NC-controller to map the material composition of a component, allowing for adaptive tool path generation and precise material removal or addition based on detected composition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If standard machining with nominal geometry information is used, then the machining process is simple and fast, but the material removal precision is insufficient for graded or layered materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial removal precisionVSAvoidmachining process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spectroscopy mapping is performed before machining to identify material composition and layer boundaries in advance. This preliminary detection allows the machining process to adapt to actual material conditions, improving material removal precision while maintaining process efficiency through pre-planned adaptive tool paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses spectroscopy mapping to obtain feedback on actual material composition and layer structure, which then informs and adjusts the machining parameters and tool paths. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise material removal by adapting the machining process to the detected material conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If adaptive machining with measured geometry is used, then the machining accuracy improves, but the process time increases due to additional measurement and analysis steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining accuracyVSAvoidprocess time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces mechanical contact measurement methods with spectroscopy-based material composition mapping. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact probes and complex mechanical measurement setups, reducing process time while maintaining or improving machining accuracy through chemical/physical material characterization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the detection parameter from mechanical geometry measurement to spectroscopic material composition analysis. This parameter change enables faster, non-contact material characterization that provides more relevant information for adaptive machining of graded and layered materials, reducing overall process time while improving accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If visual inspection or destructive analysis is used to detect surface material composition, then the equipment requirement is low, but the detection precision and reliability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial composition detection precisionVSAvoiddetection equipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces visual inspection and destructive analysis methods with spectroscopy-based material composition mapping. This substitution provides non-contact, non-destructive detection with high precision for identifying material composition and layer structure, enabling reliable adaptive machining without compromising the workpiece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The spectroscopy tool acts as an intermediary between the workpiece and the machining system, providing detailed material composition information without direct contact or damage to the workpiece. This intermediary detection method bridges the gap between simple visual inspection and complex destructive analysis, offering high precision through non-contact spectral analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables a closed-loop manufacturing process for precise and efficient material removal and addition, optimizing machining processes and ensuring optimal bonding quality by using material composition data for adaptive tool paths.

Implementation Method 1

mapping the material composition on a surface of the inserted and fixed component by means of a spectroscopy tool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP3098677B1Method for machining a component on a multi-axis machine tool driven by an NC-controller and apparatus for conducting said method
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 ANSALDO ENERGIA IP UK LTD
  • EP3098677B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3098677B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3a
  • EP3098677B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~3c

AI summary

A method for machining a component on a machine tool comprises the steps of: a) inserting said component into said machine tool; b) fixing said component in said machine tool with a surface to be machined being reachable by a tool of said machine tool; c) mapping the material composition on said surface of said inserted and fixed component by means of a spectroscopy tool; d) determine areas for removing material from or adding material to said component having regard to said mapped material composition; e) determine a tool path for removing material from or adding material to said component; and f) removing material from or adding material to said component in said determined areas along said determined tool path by means of said machine tool.