Machining Simulation Assembly for Accurate Tool Interference Checks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machining simulation methods lack the capability for accurate interference checks between machine tools and workpieces.

Innovation Solution

A machining simulation apparatus and method that includes a processor to derive a recommendation value for the protrusion length of a tool model using tool information, create an assembly model, and check for interference with constituent models or a workpiece model, displaying the results in an editable format.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If machining simulation is performed using a computer graphics system, then visualization of the machining process is improved, but processing time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisualization qualityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The machining simulation process is divided into two distinct phases: a rough simulation phase that processes all movements at reduced speed for efficient time consumption, and a detailed simulation phase that processes only selected portions at full speed for high visualization quality. This segmentation allows the system to balance between processing time and visualization quality by applying different processing speeds to different parts of the simulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of processing the entire machining process at full visualization quality, the system applies detailed simulation only to selected portions or areas of interest. The rough simulation covers the complete process at reduced speed, while partial detailed simulation is applied selectively to specific movements or regions, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining high visualization quality where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Illumination intensity

If detailed simulation is applied to all movements, then visualization quality is improved, but processing time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimulation detail qualityVSAvoidsimulation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The simulation process is segmented into rough simulation for all movements and detailed simulation for selected movements only. This allows the system to maintain high productivity by processing the majority of movements in the rough phase while applying detailed simulation selectively to enhance visualization quality only where necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Detailed simulation is applied partially only to selected movements or regions rather than all movements. This partial application maintains simulation efficiency by avoiding the excessive processing time that would result from applying detailed simulation universally, while still achieving improved visualization quality in critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Illumination intensity

If rough simulation is performed for all movements and then detailed simulation is applied, then visualization quality is improved, but the process becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimulation visualization qualityVSAvoidsimulation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The simulation process is segmented into two phases with clear functional differentiation: rough simulation handles comprehensive coverage at reduced speed, while detailed simulation focuses on selected portions at full speed. This segmentation creates a systematic and organized process that, while multi-phased, maintains clarity through distinct functional boundaries and automated transition between phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rough simulation is performed as a preliminary action before the detailed simulation. This preliminary processing establishes a foundation that covers all movements efficiently, allowing the subsequent detailed simulation to focus only on enhancing specific areas. This preliminary-action approach simplifies the overall process by preparing data structures and identifying critical regions in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If high-speed processing is used, then productivity is improved, but visualization quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidvisualization quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The processing speed is segmented into two levels: reduced speed for the rough simulation phase covering all movements, and high speed for the detailed simulation phase covering selected movements. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high productivity through high-speed processing in the detailed phase while maintaining visualization quality, and ensures comprehensive coverage through the reduced-speed rough phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

High-speed processing is applied partially only to selected movements in the detailed simulation phase rather than all movements. This partial application of high-speed processing maintains visualization quality for critical areas while achieving high productivity overall, avoiding the quality deterioration that would result from applying high-speed processing universally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4498191B1Machining simulation device, machine tool, machine tool system, machining simulation method, and program
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 YAMAZAKI MAZAK KK
  • EP4498191B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4498191B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4498191B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A machining simulation apparatus includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores a plurality of constituent models obtained by respectively modeling at least some of elements that constitute a machine tool, a plurality of holding unit models obtained by respectively modeling a plurality of tool holding units, a workpiece model obtained by modeling a workpiece before machining, and a machining program. The processor sets a specific tool model obtained by modeling a tool, based on tool information. The processor selects a specific holding unit model from among the plurality of holding unit models stored in the memory, based on the tool information. The processor derives a recommendation value of a protrusion length of the specific tool model with respect to the specific holding unit model, based on the tool information. The processor creates an assembly model in which the specific tool model and the specific holding unit model are used in combination for the protrusion length to be either the recommendation value or a compensation value that has been compensated from the recommendation value.