Multi-Edge Tool Tip Point Control During CNC Edge Switching

Solution Overview

Problem

The use of multi-edge tools in machining systems often results in misalignment of tool coordinates with machining points due to tool offsets, requiring complex updates in the machining program and increasing cycle times, especially when switching between machining edges.

Innovation Solution

A numerical controller and simulator that utilize edge shape information to automatically adjust tip point control settings by calculating and updating center points and offsets when switching machining edges, simplifying the machining program and reducing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual updates of offset settings and tool direction are performed when switching machining edges, then tip point control accuracy is maintained, but program complexity increases and cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetip point control accuracyVSAvoidprogram complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The numerical control device automatically calculates and updates offset settings and tool direction information when switching machining edges, eliminating the need for manual updates in the machining program. The system uses stored edge shape information to perform self-service calculations, thereby maintaining tip point control accuracy while simplifying the program and reducing cycle time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-stores edge shape information for all machining edges in advance. When edge switching is detected, the numerical control device immediately retrieves this pre-stored information to calculate new offset settings and tool direction, avoiding the need for complex real-time measurements or manual calculations during the machining process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If manual updates of offset settings and tool direction are performed when switching machining edges, then tip point control accuracy is maintained, but cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetip point control accuracyVSAvoidcycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The numerical control device automatically calculates and updates offset settings and tool direction information when switching machining edges, eliminating the need for manual updates in the machining program. The system uses stored edge shape information to perform self-service calculations, thereby maintaining tip point control accuracy while simplifying the program and reducing cycle time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-stores edge shape information for all machining edges in advance. When edge switching is detected, the numerical control device immediately retrieves this pre-stored information to calculate new offset settings and tool direction, avoiding the need for complex real-time measurements or manual calculations during the machining process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If complex machining program statements are used for tip point control updates, then offset accuracy is maintained, but error probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoffset accuracyVSAvoidprogram error rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The numerical control device automatically calculates and updates offset settings and tool direction information when switching machining edges, eliminating the need for manual updates in the machining program. The system uses stored edge shape information to perform self-service calculations, thereby maintaining tip point control accuracy while simplifying the program and reducing cycle time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12535791B2Numerical control device, machining system simulator, and numerical control program

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 FANUC LTD

AI summary

A numerical control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure capable of easily setting a tip point control is provided with: an edge shape information storage unit; a center position calculation unit that calculates a center position of rotation of a multi-edge tool having machining edges; an edge switching determination unit that determines whether or not edge switching is to be performed; a calculation method changing unit that takes the edge shape information into account and changes, in association with the edge switching, a method for calculating the center position by the center position calculation unit; a tip position back calculation unit that, on the basis of the calculation method changed by the calculation method changing unit, back-calculates a tip position after the edge switching from the center position immediately before the edge switching; and a change amount calculation unit that calculates, on the basis of a tip position and a shaft angle before the edge switching and the tip position and a shaft angle after the edge switching that have been calculated by the tip position back calculation unit, a required change amount of the center position, and calculates a driving amount of a driving shaft for moving a tool rotation axis by the calculated change amount.