Simulation Technologies for the Development of an Autonomous and Intelligent Machine Tool

Abstract

An autonomous and intelligent machine tool have been developed to solve fundamental issues with the current command method using NC programs, and simulation technologies for its realization have been introduced. The process planning system introduced here, various process plans can be created, and the best process plan can be selected to achieve flexible machining operations in accordance with changes in production planning. Digital Copy Milling, digitizing the principle of copy milling, has opened up new possibilities for machine tool control. The NC machine tool can be directly controlled with the 3D CAD data of the product shape in Digital CopyMilling. Direct machining without the need to create an NC program before milling operation, adaptive control which changes the cutting conditions in accordance with the cutting load during milling operation, and fault detection in the cutting load and avoiding tool breakages can be performed through Digital Copy Milling. Themilling process simulator with integrated milling shape simulator and cutting force simulator provides new functions. Simultaneous cutting force prediction with milling operation provides the possibility of milling process control and fault detection by comparing the measured cutting force with the predicted one.