An Universal Modeling Method for Enhancing the Volumetric Accuracy of CNC Machine Tools

Volumetric error modeling method is an important te ch nique for enhancement the accuracy of CNC machine tools by error compensation. I n the research field, the main question is how to find an universal kinematics m odeling method for different kinds of NC machine tools. Multi-body system theor y is always used to solve the dynamics problem of complex physical system. But t ill now, the error factors that always exist in practice system is still not con sidered. In this paper, the accuracy kinematics of MBS (multi-body system) are developed by adding the movement error items and the positioning error items for every couple of adjacent bodies. After make an analysis for different kinds of NC machine tools we can find that NC machine tools can be looked as a kind of sp ecial MBS. It’s main construction only contains two movement branch. the one is from base part to workpiece and the other is from base part to cutter. So an u niversal volumetric error modeling method and the error analysis method for NC m achine tools can be built in this paper based on MBS theory. The essential condi tion for precision machining is derived through mathematics equations and the co ncept of ICCP (inverse changed cutter path ) and ICNI (inverse changed NC instru ction ) are presented in this paper. The numerical solution methods for ICCP and ICNI are also given in this paper which can be directly used to enhance the mac hining accuracy of NC machine tools. In order to verifying the above works, the double frequency laser interface detecting instrument of RENISHAW is used to mea sure the error parameters of the MAKINO 3-axis NC machine tools and the softwar es are developed using C++ developing language to simulate the cutte r trail under different kind conditions in the computer. Latterly the standard w ork parts are selected to be machined on the MAKINO 3-axis NC machine tools bef ore and after use the above mentioned error compensation method respectively. Th e simulation and experiment results show that the volumetric error modeling meth od is effective and the machining accuracy of CNC machine tools can be improved more than 60% after using the compensation method presented in this paper.

STUDY ON THE COMPENSATION TECHNIQUE OF POSITIONING ERRORS FOR NC MACHINE TOOLS

Through analysis of the basic transformation of a typical body,the error transformations of the position vector and the displacement vector are employed,a general model for positioning errors of NC machine tools by using kinematics of the multi body system is discussed.By means of 8031 single chip system,intelligent error compensation controller has been developed.The results of experiments on XH714 machining center show that the positioning accuracy is enhanced effectively by more than 50%.

Bayesian Reliability Modeling and Assessment Solution for NC Machine Tools under Small-sample Data

Although Markov chain Monte Carlo（MCMC） algorithms are accurate, many factors may cause instability when they are utilized in reliability analysis; such instability makes these algorithms unsuitable for widespread engineering applications. Thus, a reliability modeling and assessment solution aimed at small-sample data of numerical control（NC） machine tools is proposed on the basis of Bayes theories. An expert-judgment process of fusing multi-source prior information is developed to obtain the Weibull parameters＇ prior distributions and reduce the subjective bias of usual expert-judgment methods. The grid approximation method is applied to two-parameter Weibull distribution to derive the formulas for the parameters＇ posterior distributions and solve the calculation difficulty of high-dimensional integration. The method is then applied to the real data of a type of NC machine tool to implement a reliability assessment and obtain the mean time between failures（MTBF）. The relative error of the proposed method is 5.8020×10-4 compared with the MTBF obtained by the MCMC algorithm. This result indicates that the proposed method is as accurate as MCMC. The newly developed solution for reliability modeling and assessment of NC machine tools under small-sample data is easy, practical, and highly suitable for widespread application in the engineering field; in addition, the solution does not reduce accuracy.

Algorithm for Detecting Volumetric Geometric Accuracy of NC Machine Tool by Laser Tracker

Quick and accurate detecting the error of NC machine tool and performing the error compensation are important to improve the machining accuracy of NC machine tool. Currently, there are many methods for detecting the geometric accuracy of NC machine tool. However, these methods have deficiencies in detection efficiency and accuracy as well as in versatility. In the paper, a method with laser tracker based on the multi-station and time-sharing measurement principle is proposed, and this method can rapidly and accurately detect the geometric accuracy of NC machine tool. The machine tool is controlled to move in the preset path in a 3D space or 2D plane, and a laser tracker is used to measure the same motion trajectory of the machine tool successively at different base stations. The original algorithm for multi-station and time-sharing measurement is improved. The space coordinates of the measuring point obtained by the laser tracker are taken as parameter values, and the initial position of each base point can be determined. The redundant equation concerning the base point calibration can be established by the distance information of the laser tracker, and the position of each base point is further determined by solving the equation with least squares method, then the space coordinates of each measuring point can be calibrated. The singular matrix does not occur in calculation with the improved algorithm, which overcomes the limitations of the original algorithm, that the motion trajectory of machine tool is in a 3D space and there exits height difference between the base stations. Adopting the improved algorithm can expand the application of multi-station and time-sharing measurement, and can meet the quick and accurate detecting requirements for different types of NC machine tool.

Bayesian zero-failure reliability modeling and assessment method for multiple numerical control(NC) machine tools

A new problem that classical statistical methods are incapable of solving is reliability modeling and assessment when multiple numerical control machine tools(NCMTs) reveal zero failures after a reliability test. Thus, the zero-failure data form and corresponding Bayesian model are developed to solve the zero-failure problem of NCMTs, for which no previous suitable statistical model has been developed. An expert-judgment process that incorporates prior information is presented to solve the difficulty in obtaining reliable prior distributions of Weibull parameters. The equations for the posterior distribution of the parameter vector and the Markov chain Monte Carlo(MCMC) algorithm are derived to solve the difficulty of calculating high-dimensional integration and to obtain parameter estimators. The proposed method is applied to a real case; a corresponding programming code and trick are developed to implement an MCMC simulation in Win BUGS, and a mean time between failures(MTBF) of 1057.9 h is obtained. Given its ability to combine expert judgment, prior information, and data, the proposed reliability modeling and assessment method under the zero failure of NCMTs is validated.

STUDY ON NEW METHOD OF IDENTIFYING GEOMETRIC ERROR PARAMETERS FOR NC MACHINE TOOLS

The methods of identifying geometric error parameters for NC machine tools are introduced. According to analyzing and comparing the different methods, a new method-displacement method with 9 lines is developed based on the theories of the movement errors of multibody system (MBS). A lot of experiments are also made to obtain 21 terms geometric error parameters by using the error identification software based on the new method.

Assessment Method of Heavy NC Machine Reliability Based on Bayes Theory

It is difficult to collect the prior information for small-sample machinery products when their reliability is assessed by using Bayes method. In this study, an improved Bayes method with gradient reliability(GR) results as prior information was proposed to solve the problem. A certain type of heavy NC boring and milling machine was considered as the research subject, and its reliability model was established on the basis of its functional and structural characteristics and working principle. According to the stress-intensity interference theory and the reliability model theory, the GR results of the host machine and its key components were obtained. Then the GR results were deemed as prior information to estimate the probabilistic reliability(PR) of the spindle box, the column and the host machine in the present method. The comparative studies demonstrated that the improved Bayes method was applicable in the reliability assessment of heavy NC machine tools.

The Application of the GM(1,1) Metabolism Model to Error Data Processing of NC Machine Tools

This paper applied the gray system theory to error data processing of NCmachine tools according to the characteristic. It presented the gray metabolism model of error dataprocessing. The test method for the model needs less capacity. Practice proved that the method issimple, calculation is easy, and results are exact.

Research on virtual dynamic optimization design for NC machine tools

Virtual dynamic optimization design can avoid the repeated process from de-sign to trial-manufacture and test.The designer can analyze and optimize the productstructures in virtual visualization environment.The design cycle is shortened and the costis reduced.The paper analyzed the peculiarity of virtual optimization design,and put for-wards the thought and flow to implement virtual optimization design.The example to opti-mize the internal grinder was studied via establishing precise finite element model,modi-fying the layout of Stiffened Plates and designing parameters of the worktable,and usingthe technology of modal frequency revision and the technology of multiple tuned damper.The result of optimization design compared the new grinder with the original grinder showsthat the entire machine's first orders natural frequency is enhanced by 17%,and the re-sponse displacement of the grinding-head has dropped by 28% under the first order natu-ral frequency and by 41% under second order natural frequency.Finally,the dynamic per-formance of the internal grinder was optimized.

Series Design of Large-Scale NC Machine Tool

Product system design is a mature concept in western developed countries. It has been applied in war industry during the last century. However,up until now,functional combination is still the main method for product system de-sign in China. Therefore,in terms of a concept of product generation and product interaction we are in a weak position compared with the requirements of global markets. Today,the idea of serial product design has attracted much attention in the design field and the definition of product generation as well as its parameters has already become the standard in serial product designs. Although the design of a large-scale NC machine tool is complicated,it can be further optimized by the precise exercise of object design by placing the concept of platform establishment firmly into serial product de-sign. The essence of a serial product design has been demonstrated by the design process of a large-scale NC machine tool.

YKJ3180H Economy NC Gear Hobbing Machine

The YKJ3180H Economy NC GearHobbing Machine is a new variety,developed recently by the ChongqingMachine Tools Works to meet clients’demands. Its most prominent feature is its highproduction efficiency ( able to complete awork cycle automatically), high processingprecision (Grade 7 or higher according to theGB 10095) and its cost competitiveness. This product is used in the machinetool and machinery industries at automobiles,tractors, gears and gear box factories. It canbe used for processing spur gears and helicalgears, automatic radial feed wormwheels,tapered gears and crowning gears; so it isespecially applicable in factories usingcrowning gear couplings, such as metallurgy,mining, lifting transport and the chemicalmachinery.

METHOD OF ENHANCING THE POSITIONING ACCURACY FOR NC MACHINE TOOLS

Based on the kinematics of the multi-body system , a general model for the positioning errors of NC machine tools by means of the lower numbered body array and the geometric constraint is presented. The parameters identification of geometric errors by an improved 22-line method is discussed. Moreover , an intelligent error compensation controller has been developed. All these are verified by a series of experiments on XH714 machining center. The results show that the prosition- ing errors with compensation have been reduced to ±7 μm from 50 μm.

Error Analysis and Its Offset on the NC Lathe Machine in Cutting a Semi-Sphere Surface

This paper analyzed the errors that occurred by leaving the shape of the cutting edge out of consideration on a NC lathe machine in cutting a semi-sphere surface and brought forward a method to offset these errors and the correct calculated formula for some parameters on the basis of experiments. It has increased the manufacturing accuracy of the semi-sphere surface on the NC lathe machine.

PLANNING METHOD OF TOOL ORIENTATION IN FIVE-AXIS NC MACHINING

The planning method of tool orientation in the five-axis NC machining is studied. The problem of the existing method is analyzed and a new method for generating the global smoothing tool orientation is proposed by introducing the key frame idea in the animation-making. According to the feature of the part, several key tool orientations are set without interference between the tool and the part. Then, these key tool orientations are inter- polated by the spline function. By mapping the surface parameter to the spline parameter, the spline function value is obtained and taken as the tool orientation when generating the CL file. The machining result shows that the proposed method realizes the global smoothing of the tool orientation and the continuity of the rotational speed and the rotational acceleration. It also avoids the shake of the machine tool and improves the machining quality.

Research on cubic polynomial acceleration and deceleration control model for high speed NC machining

To satisfy the need of high speed NC (numerical control) machining, an acceleration and deceleration (acc/dec) control model is proposed, and the speed curve is also constructed by the cubic polynomial. The proposed control model provides continuity of acceleration, which avoids the intense vibration in high speed NC machining. Based on the discrete characteristic of the data sampling interpolation, the acc/dec control discrete mathematical model is also set up and the discrete expression of the theoretical deceleration length is obtained furthermore. Aiming at the question of hardly predetermining the deceleration point in acc/dec control before interpolation, the adaptive acc/dec control algorithm is deduced from the expressions of the theoretical deceleration length. The experimental result proves that the acc/dec control model has the characteristic of easy implementation, stable movement and low impact. The model has been applied in multi-axes high speed micro fabrication machining successfully.

INTERFERENCE-FREE TOOL POSTURE GENERATION FOR 5-AXIS NC MILLING FREE-FORM SURFACES WITH CYLINDRICAL MILL

The 5-axis NC machining offers the potential of efficient and accuratemachining. However, the present CAM system for 5-axis control is still an unsolved problem due tointerference between tool and surrounding objects. A new method is presented. There are two steps inthis procedure. First, it detects the interference by calculating the shortest distance between thetool-axis and the surrounding surfaces. Then upon the maximum gouging, the interference-free toolposture for 5-axis NC cylindrical milling free-form surfaces is obtained by adjusting tool. Thevalidity of the proposed method has been confirmed by machining an impeller.

Bayesian networks modeling for thermal error of numerical control machine tools

The interaction between the heat source location, its intensity, thermal expansion coefficient, the machine system configuration and the running environment creates complex thermal behavior of a machine tool, and also makes thermal error prediction difficult. To address this issue, a novel prediction method for machine tool thermal error based on Bayesian networks (BNs) was presented. The method described causal relationships of factors inducing thermal deformation by graph theory and estimated the thermal error by Bayesian statistical techniques. Due to the effective combination of domain knowledge and sampled data, the BN method could adapt to the change of running state of machine, and obtain satisfactory prediction accuracy. Ex- periments on spindle thermal deformation were conducted to evaluate the modeling performance. Experimental results indicate that the BN method performs far better than the least squares (LS) analysis in terms of modeling estimation accuracy.

Identification of the key thermal points on machine tools by grouping and optimizing variables

The grouping and optimization approach to identify the key thermal points on machine tools is studied.To solve the difficulty in grouping because of the high correlated variables from distinct groups,the variables grouping technique is improved.Temperature variables are sorted according to their relativities with the thermal errors.The representative temperature variables are determined by analyzing the variable correlation in sort order and removing the other variables in the same group.Considering the diverse effect of importing the different variables on thermal error model,the method of variable combination optimization is improved.Regression models made up of different combination of representative temperature variables are evaluated by the index of both the determined coefficient and the average residual squares to select the combination of the temperature variables.For the machine tools with complicated structures which need more initial temperature measuring points the improvement is demanded.The improved approach is applied to a precision horizontal machining center to identify the key thermal points.Experimental results show that the proposed approach is capable of avoiding the high correlation among the different groups' variables,effectively reducing the number of the key thermal points without depressing the prediction accuracy of the thermal error model for machine tools.

A NURBS Fitting Optimization Method for High⁃Speed Five⁃Axis NC Machining Path Based on Curvature Smoothing Preset Point Constraint

Existing curve fitting algorithms of NC machining path mainly focus on the control of fitting error,but ignore the problem that the original discrete cutter position points are not enough in the high curvature area of the tool path.It may cause a sudden change in the drive force of the feed axis,resulting in a large fluctuation in the feed speed.This paper proposes a new non-uniform rational B-spline(NURBS)curve fitting optimization method based on curvature smoothing preset point constraints.First,the short line segments generated by the CAM software are optimally divided into different segment regions,and then the curvature of the short line segments in each region is adjusted to make it smoother.Secondly,a set of characteristic points reflecting the change of the curvature of the fitted curve is constructed as the control apex of the fitted curve,and the curve is fitted using the NURBS curve fitting optimization method based on the curvature smoothing preset point constraint.Finally,the curve fitting error and curve volatility are analyzed with an example,which verifies that the method can significantly improve the curvature smoothness of the high-curvature tool path,reduce the fitting error,and improve the feed speed.

NC Machining of Spiral Bevel Gear and Hypoid Gear Based on Unity Transformation Model

A unity transformation model (UTM) was presented for flexible NC machining of spiral bevel gears and hypoid gears. The model can support various machining methods for Gleason spiral bevel gears and hypoid gears, including generation machining and formation machining for wheel or pinion on a universal five-axis machining center, and then directly produce NC codes for the selected machining method. Wheel machining and pinion machining under UTM were simulated in Vericut 6.0 and tested on a five-axis machining center TDNC-W2000 with NC unit TDNC-H8. The results from simulation and real-cut verify the feasibility of gear machining under UTM as well as the correctness of NC codes.