Numerical Control Device for Machine Tool Feed Axis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing numerical control methods for machine tools do not account for variations in rigidity and friction coefficients along the feed axis position, leading to unstable machining precision due to 'stick motion' issues.

Innovation Solution

Divide the feed axis movement range into regions and store corresponding control parameters, analyzing the machining path to read and apply the appropriate parameters for stable control, including acceleration/deceleration time constants, feedback gains, and stick motion correction parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single set of control parameters is used for the entire feed axis movement range, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to stick motion caused by varying rigidity and friction coefficients at different positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol parameter managementVSAvoidmachining precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The feed axis movement range is divided into multiple regions along the feed axis, with each region having its own optimized control parameters. This segmentation allows the system to account for positional variations in rigidity and friction coefficients, thereby maintaining high machining precision throughout the entire movement range while managing complexity through organized parameter storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different control parameters are applied to different regions of the feed axis movement range based on the local mechanical characteristics (rigidity and friction coefficients) at each position. This local optimization ensures that the control parameters are tailored to the specific conditions at each feed axis position, eliminating stick motion and maintaining consistent machining precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If control parameters are changed dynamically during machining, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to real-time parameter analysis and switching mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feed axis movement range is pre-divided into multiple regions, and control parameters for each region are determined and stored in advance. During machining, the system simply retrieves the appropriate pre-calculated parameters based on the current region, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations while still achieving high precision through parameter optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2634655B1Numerical control method of machine tool, and numerical control device
Publication Date: 2019.02.20 MAKINO MILLING MASCH CO LTD
  • EP2634655B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2634655B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2634655B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A numerical control device which controls a feed axis of a machine tool (10) has a storage unit (92) which divides a range of movement of the feed axis into a plurality of regions and stores a plurality of control parameters corresponding to said divided plurality of regions in advance, a position detection unit which detects a position of a feed axis at the time of machining a workpiece, a parameter selection unit (90) which reads out control parameters corresponding to a divided region to which the detected feed axis position at the time of machining a workpiece belongs, and a servo control unit (52) which controls the feed axis using said read control parameters. Due to this, it is possible to provide a numerical control method of a machine tool which realizes stable machining precision without regard as to the feed axis position and a numerical control device which conducts that method.