A NEW ALGORITHM BASED ON TRIANGULATION FOR 5 AXIS MACHINING OF SCULPTURED SURFACES

NC machining path of sculptured surfaces in CAD/CAM system plays an important role on manufacture. This paper describes a new algorithm for 5 axis machining of sculptured surfaces and the algorithm is interference free. The approach includes: (1) the tesselation of the parametric surfaces into triangles; (2) building topological relations among triangles;(3) 5 axis tool path generation; (4) interference detection and tool position correction.

Identification of Kinematic Errors of Five-axis Machine Tool Trunnion Axis from Finished Test Piece

Compared with the traditional non-cutting measurement,machining tests can more accurately reflect the kinematic errors of five-axis machine tools in the actual machining process for the users.However,measurement and calculation of the machining tests in the literature are quite difficult and time-consuming.A new method of the machining tests for the trunnion axis of five-axis machine tool is proposed.Firstly,a simple mathematical model of the cradle-type five-axis machine tool was established by optimizing the coordinate system settings based on robot kinematics.Then,the machining tests based on error-sensitive directions were proposed to identify the kinematic errors of the trunnion axis of cradle-type five-axis machine tool.By adopting the error-sensitive vectors in the matrix calculation,the functional relationship equations between the machining errors of the test piece in the error-sensitive directions and the kinematic errors of C-axis and A-axis of five-axis machine tool rotary table was established based on the model of the kinematic errors.According to our previous work,the kinematic errors of C-axis can be treated as the known quantities,and the kinematic errors of A-axis can be obtained from the equations.This method was tested in Mikron UCP600 vertical machining center.The machining errors in the error-sensitive directions can be obtained by CMM inspection from the finished test piece to identify the kinematic errors of five-axis machine tool trunnion axis.Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method can reduce the complexity,cost,and the time consumed substantially,and has a wider applicability.This paper proposes a new method of the machining tests for the trunnion axis of five-axis machine tool.

Optimization of cutter-location for 5-axis NC machining freeform surface with a flat-end cutter

axis NC machining freeform surface with a flat end cutter can theoretically improve material removal rate and surface finish, but it is very difficult to generate a gouge free cutter location. A new method of generating optimal cutter path is proposed to define the effective radius of a flat end cutter and determine the optimal step forward distance and step over distance. Thereby improving the NC machining efficiency and quality of freeform surfaces.

Tool Positioning Algorithm Based on Smooth Tool Paths for 5-axis Machining of Sculptured Surfaces

The current research of the 5-axis tool positioning algorithm mainly focuses on searching the local optimal tool position without gouging and interference at a cutter contact（CC） point,while not considering the smoothness and continuity of a whole tool path.When the surface curvature varies significantly,a local abrupt change of tool paths will happen.The abrupt change has a great influence on surface machining quality.In order to keep generated tool paths smooth and continuous,a five-axis tool positioning algorithm based on smooth tool paths is presented.Firstly,the inclination angle,the tilt angle and offset distance of the tool at a CC point are used as design variables,and the machining strip width is used as an objective function,an optimization model of a local tool positioning algorithm is thus established.Then,a vector equation of tool path is derived by using the above optimization model.By analyzing the equation,the main factors affecting the tool path quality are obtained.Finally,a new tool position optimization model is established,and the detailed process of tool position optimization is also given.An experiment is conducted to machine an aircraft turbine blade by using the proposed algorithm on a 5-axis blade grinding machine,and the machined blade surface is measured with a coordinate measuring machine（CMM）.Experimental and measured results show that the proposed algorithm can ensure tool paths are smooth and continuous,improve the tool path quality,avoid the local abrupt change of tool paths,and enhance machining quality and machining efficiency of sculptured surfaces.

Spindle Thermal Error Optimization Modeling of a Five-axis Machine Tool

Aiming at the problem of low machining accu- racy and uncontrollable thermal errors of NC machine tools, spindle thermal error measurement, modeling and compensation of a two turntable five-axis machine tool are researched. Measurement experiment of heat sources and thermal errors are carried out, and GRA（grey relational analysis） method is introduced into the selection of tem- perature variables used for thermal error modeling. In order to analyze the influence of different heat sources on spindle thermal errors, an ANN （artificial neural network） model is presented, and ABC（artificial bee colony） algorithm is introduced to train the link weights of ANN, a new ABC- NN（Artificial bee colony-based neural network） modeling method is proposed and used in the prediction of spindle thermal errors. In order to test the prediction performance of ABC-NN model, an experiment system is developed, the prediction results of LSR （least squares regression）, ANN and ABC-NN are compared with the measurement results of spindle thermal errors. Experiment results show that the prediction accuracy of ABC-NN model is higher than LSR and ANN, and the residual error is smaller than 3 pm, the new modeling method is feasible. The proposed research provides instruction to compensate thermal errors and improve machining accuracy of NC machine tools.

A Real-time NURBS Surface Interpolator for 5-axis Surface Machining

A real-time non-uniform rational B-spline （NURBS） surface interpolator is proposed and 5-axis machining method with a flat-end cutter is discussed. With the Taylor expansion and the coordinate transformation, the algorithms of NURBS interpolation, cutter effective machining radius, cutter offsetting and.inverse kinematics are deduced and implemented, respectively. Different from the conventional free-form surface machining, the proposed interpolator can real-time generate the motion commands of computer numerical control （CNC） machines with CC feedrate, rather than that of CL. An example part surface is demonstrated and the results of simulation show that the proposed method can be applied in actual 5-axis surface machining.

MOTION ERROR ESTIMATION OF 5-AXIS MACHINING CENTER USING DBB METHOD

In order to estimate the motion errors of 5-axis machine center, the double ball bar （DBB） method is adopted to realize the diagnosis procedure. The motion error sources of rotary axes in 5-axis machining center comprise of the alignment error of rotary axes and the angular error due to various factors, e.g. the inclination of rotary axes. From sensitive viewpoints, each motion error is possible to have a particular sensitive direction in which deviation of DBB error trace arises from only some specific error sources. The model of the DBB error trace is established according to the spatial geometry theory. Accordingly, the sensitive direction of each motion error source is made clear through numerical simulation, which is used as the reference patterns for rotational error estimation. The estimation method is proposed to easily estimate the motion error sources of rotary axes in quantitative manner. To verify the proposed DBB method for rotational error estimation, the experimental tests are carried out on a 5-axis machining center M-400 （MORISEIKI）. The effect of the mismatch of the DBB is also studied to guarantee the estimation accuracy. From the experimental data, it is noted that the proposed estimation method for 5-axis machining center is feasible and effective.

A Generic Kinematic Model for Three Main Types of Five-axis Machine Tools

Material removal is one of the most used processes in manufacturing. Five-axis CNC machines are believed to be the best tools in sculptured surface machining. In this study, a generic and unified kinematic model was developed as a viable alternative to the particular solutions that are only applicable to individual machine configurations. This versatile model is then used to verify the feasibility of the two rotational joints within the kinematic chain of three main types of a five-axis machine-tool. This versatile model is very useful applied to the design of five-axis machine tools.

High accuracy NURBS interpolation for five-axis machine of table-rotating/spindle-tilting type

In this paper, the definition of NURBS curve and a speed-controlled interpolation in which the feed rate is automatically adjusted in order to meet the specified chord error limit were discussed. Besides those, a definition of linear interpolation error of post-processed data was proposed, which should be paid more attention to because it will not only reduce quality of the surface but also may cause interference and other unexpected trouble. In order to control the error, a robust algorithm was proposed, which successfully met a desired error limit through interpolating some essential CL data. The excellence of the proposed algorithm, in terms of its reliability and self-adaptiveness, has been proved by simulation results.

ACCURATE MEASUREMENT OF ROTARY MACHINE AXIS CENTER TRACE

Four methods aiming at measuring rotary machine axis center trace arediscussed in detail. The comparative analysis is made on some aspects such as measurement accuracy,on-machine characteristics, feasibility, practical operation convenience and the integrity ofmeasurement information. In order to simplify measurement, the axis profile error is ignored intraditional condition, while the measurement accuracy will be reduced. The 3-point method that theaxis profile error is firstly separated has better real time character, at the same time, not onlythe axis motion error but also the axis profile error can be measured. All of those information canbe used to diagnose the fault origin. The analysis result is proved to be correct by the experiment.

An Open CAM System for Dentistry on the Basis of China-made 5-axis Simultaneous Contouring CNC Machine Tool and Industrial CAM Software

China-made 5-axis simultaneous contouring CNC machine tool and domestically developed industrial computer-aided manufacture （CAM） technology were used for full crown fabrication and measurement of crown accuracy, with an attempt to establish an open CAM system for dental processing and to promote the introduction of domestic dental computer-aided design （CAD）/CAM system. Commercially available scanning equipment was used to make a basic digital tooth model after preparation of crown, and CAD software that comes with the scanning device was employed to design the crown by using domestic industrial CAM software to process the crown data in order to generate a solid model for machining purpose, and then China-made 5-axis simultaneous contouring CNC machine tool was used to complete machining of the whole crown and the internal accuracy of the crown internal was measured by using 3D-MicroCT. The results showed that China-made 5-axis simultaneous contouring CNC machine tool in combination with domestic industrial CAM technology can be used for crown making and the crown was well positioned in die. The internal accuracy was successfully measured by using 3D-MicroCT. It is concluded that an open CAM system for den-tistry on the basis of China-made 5-axis simultaneous contouring CNC machine tool and domestic industrial CAM software has been established, and development of the system will promote the introduction of domestically-produced dental CAD/CAM system.

DRIVE AND CONTROL OF VIRTUAL-AXIS NC MACHINE TOOLS

The structure features and driving modes of virtual axis NC machine tools are studied. Accor ding to different application requirements,the three axis control method,the five axis control method and the sixfreedom control method are put forward.These results lay a foundation for the product development of the virtual axis NC machine tools

Functional gastrointestinal disorders and gut-brain axis: What does the future hold?

Despite their high prevalence, lack of understanding of the exact pathophysiology of the functional gastrointestinal disorders has restricted us to symptomatic diagnostic tools and therapies. Complex mechanisms underlying the disturbances in the bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain have a vital role in the pathogenesis and are key to our understanding of the disease phenomenon. Although we have come a long way in our understanding of these complex disorders with the help of studies on animals especially rodents, there need to be more studies in humans, especially to identify the therapeutic targets. This review study looks at the anatomical features of the gut-brain axis in order to discuss the different factors and underlying molecular mechanisms that may have a role in the pathogenesis of functional gastrointestinal disorders. These molecules and their receptors can be targeted in future for further studies and possible therapeutic interventions. The article also discusses the potential role of artificial intelligence and machine learning and its possible role in our understanding of these scientifically challenging disorders.

Gut bless you:The microbiota-gut-brain axis in irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)is a common clinical label for medically unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms,recently described as a disturbance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.Despite decades of research,the pathophysiology of this highly heterogeneous disorder remains elusive.However,a dramatic change in the understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms surfaced when the importance of gut microbiota protruded the scientific picture.Are we getting any closer to understanding IBS’etiology,or are we drowning in unspecific,conflicting data because we possess limited tools to unravel the cluster of secrets our gut microbiota is concealing?In this comprehensive review we are discussing some of the major important features of IBS and their interaction with gut microbiota,clinical microbiota-altering treatment such as the low FODMAP diet and fecal microbiota transplantation,neuroimaging and methods in microbiota analyses,and current and future challenges with big data analysis in IBS.

ANALYSIS OF METHOD FOR DETERMINING AZIMUTH OF PRINCIPAL AXIS OF INERTIA BASED ON DYNAMIC BALANCE MEASUREMENT

The dynamic balance quality of a rotating object is an important factor to maintain the stability and accuracy for motion. The azimuth of the principal axis of inertia is a major sign of dynamic balance. A usual method is measuring moment of inertia matrix relative to some base coordinates on a rotary inertia machine so as to calculate the azimuth of principal axis of inertia, By using the measured unbalance results on the two trimmed planes on a vertical hard bearing double-plane dynamic balancing machine, the dimension and direction of couple unbalance can be found. An azimuth angle formula for the principal axis of inertia is derived and is solved by using unbalance quantities. The experiments indicate that method based on dynamic balancing measurement is proved rational and effective and has a fine precision.

使用AxiSet设备的五轴机床快速测量方法

针对五轴机床受装配精度和旋转部件的影响,使机床出现结构误差造成刀具在刀位点处出现偏移,影响机床的加工精度。通过分析各项误差对刀位点的影响,建立五轴运动学误差模型,使用Axi SetTMCheck-up组件中的3D测针-球体设备,对球心进行不同角度的多次测量,根据相应的五轴进给对机床误差项进行精确求解。所采用的测量方法对建立的各类误差模型具有较好的一致性,通过对五轴运动误差的补偿不仅可以提高现有数控机床的加工精度,而且为以后多轴机床的测量提供了统一的测量基础。

Realization Methodology of a 5-axis Spline Interpolator in an Open CNC System

By making use of the advantages of non-uniform rational B-spline （NURBS） curves to represent spatial curves, an instruction format with double NURBS curves suitable for 5-axis coordinated real-time interpolation is presented to replace the current 5-axis coordinated linear interpolation method defective in low-speed, low-accuracy and enormous numerical control （NC） files in sculptured surface machining. A generation procedure of the NC files with the presented format is introduced and the method to realize the interpolation in an open computer numerical control （CNC） system is developed by ourselves. These illustrated the feasibility of the proposed method and its capability of avoiding all the shortages of 5-axis linear interpolation method.

Three-dimensional Tool Radius Compensation for Multi-axis Peripheral Milling

Few function about 3D tool radius compensation is applied to generating executable motion control commands in the existing computer numerical control (CNC) systems. Once the tool radius is changed, especially in the case of tool size changing with tool wear in machining, a new NC program has to be recreated. A generic 3D tool radius compensation method for multi-axis peripheral milling in CNC systems is presented. The offset path is calculated by offsetting the tool path along the direction of the offset vector with a given distance. The offset vector is perpendicular to both the tangent vector of the tool path and the orientation vector of the tool axis relative to the workpiece. The orientation vector equations of the tool axis relative to the workpiece are obtained through homogeneous coordinate transformation matrix and forward kinematics of generalized kinematics model of multi-axis machine tools. To avoid cutting into the corner formed by the two adjacent tool paths, the coordinates of offset path at the intersection point have been calculated according to the transition type that is determined by the angle between the two tool path tangent vectors at the corner. Through the verification by the solid cutting simulation software VERICUTwith different tool radiuses on a table-tilting type five-axis machine tool, and by the real machining experiment of machining a soup spoon on a five-axis machine tool with the developed CNC system, the effectiveness of the proposed 3D tool radius compensation method is confirmed. The proposed compensation method can be suitable for all kinds of threeto five-axis machine tools as a general form.

EQUIVALENT NORMAL CURVATURE APPROACH MILLING MODEL OF MACHINING FREEFORM SURFACES

A new milling methodology with the equivalent normal curvature milling model machining freeform surfaces is proposed based on the normal curvature theorems on differential geometry. Moreover, a specialized whirlwind milling tool and a 5-axis CNC horizontal milling machine are introduced. This new milling model can efficiently enlarge the material removal volume at the tip of the whirlwind milling tool and improve the producing capacity. The machining strategy of this model is to regulate the orientation of the whirlwind milling tool relatively to the principal directions of the workpiece surface at the point of contact, so as to create a full match with collision avoidance between the workpiece surface and the symmetric rotational surface of the milling tool. The practical results show that this new milling model is an effective method in machining complex three- dimensional surfaces. This model has a good improvement on finishing machining time and scallop height in machining the freeform surfaces over other milling processes. Some actual examples for manufacturing the freeform surfaces with this new model are given.

Rapid Evaluation for Feed-axis Lubrication Condition Based on Soft Sensor

Stribeck effect is regarded as the most important feed-axis friction characteristics. According to the relationship between friction and lubrication,a rapid technology for feed-axis lubrication condition evaluation of computer numerical control( CNC) machine tools based on soft sensor is proposed. To obtain its state information,the static friction force,Coulomb friction force,and viscous coefficient are used as the key parameters of the soft sensor for tread analysis. Then the various amplitude and velocity triangular wave test curve, and a precise nonlinear model identification method are presented. The results of the experiments analysis show that this method is feasible and reliable for evaluating feed-axis lubrication condition,which lays the foundation for on-line condition monitoring and reliability evaluation for feed-axis lubrication of machine tools.