CAD-Based Machining Center Control for Automatic NC Program Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems require significant time and effort to create complex NC machining programs for sophisticated machine tools with simultaneous five-axis control, especially when manufacturing products with multiple diverse features, and lack the capability for immediate, precise execution.
Innovation Solution
An automatic operation device for machining centers that uses three-dimensional CAD design data to automatically generate machining commands, including tool selection and trajectories, based on a learned model of past machining data, allowing for immediate and efficient manufacturing process execution without the need for manual NC program creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual NC program creation using CAM system is used, then machining program can be created with consideration of machining methods and tool selection, but time-consuming editing work is required even with automatic program creation devices
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines machining methods, selects tools, and generates NC programs without requiring engineer intervention for editing. The automatic program creation device performs all machining program creation tasks autonomously based on CAD data, eliminating the need for manual editing while maintaining high program quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of program creation and editing with an automated computer-based system. The automatic program creation device uses computational algorithms to generate machining programs directly from CAD data, substituting the engineer's manual work with automated computational processes
2Adaptability or versatility
If sophisticated machine tools with simultaneous five-axis control are used, then complex machining operations can be performed, but complicated control is required to prevent axis interference
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic program creation device serves as an intermediary between the CAD design data and the five-axis machine tool control system. It automatically generates coordinated control commands for all five axes, managing the complexity of simultaneous multi-axis control and preventing interference through automated path calculation and collision detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts and coordinates the parameters of all five axes (X, Y, Z, A, C) to achieve complex machining operations. By dynamically changing and synchronizing the motion parameters of multiple axes, the system enables sophisticated machining while managing control complexity through automated parameter optimization
3Productivity
If standard NC machining programs are created from intermediate tool path data, then basic machining operations can be automated, but editing operation is required for complicated special manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic program creation device performs complete self-service by automatically generating NC programs for both standard and complicated special manufacturing processes. The system handles tool path calculation, machining parameter determination, and program generation autonomously, eliminating the need for any manual editing operations regardless of process complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
In a CAD data-based automatic operation device of a machining center equipped with a CNC device, the CNC device is provided in a storage unit with a learned model generated by learning beforehand machining conditions including a tool used and cutting conditions, a manufacturing process including a tool trajectory, and a machining program that caused the manufacturing process to be performed in correspondence with one another with respect to each feature subjected to various cutting operations. An automatic machining command generation unit provided in a control unit is provided with: a feature extraction function of extracting features from three-dimensional CAD design data of a machined product; an automatic manufacturing process setting function of automatically determining required machining conditions and automatically setting a manufacturing process including a tool trajectory, by applying each feature to the learned model; an all manufacturing process setting function of determining a procedure for manufacturing processes for all the features; and a machining command generation function of generating a machining command for causing a machine tool to perform all the manufacturing processes based on the learned model. The automatic manufacturing process setting function is further provided with a function of displaying a 3D model of the machined product generated based on the three-dimensional CAD design data in one or more possible different directions of mounting to a machining unit in a selectable and executable manner and the manufacturing processes are automatically set based on the determined mounting direction.