MODEL-TO-PART: A ROAD MAP FOR THE CNC MACHINE OF THE FUTURE

In the paradigm for CNC machining, tool path programming and online control of the machine are separate tasks. Though this paradigm has proved successful to date, it is now showing its limitations particularly in 5-axis machining, high-speed machining, direct model-to-part manufacturing and automated error detection and prevention. This paper describes work to implement a new paradigm for CNC machining described by Gray et al. [1] for direct model-to-part manufacture by providing the part definition to the NC controller. The intention here is to integrate a simulation module into the controller to detect and prevent errors by merging the physical workspace of the machine with the virtual workspace of the simulator. This paper describes the architecture for this concept and the simulation module that has been developed. Also, a machining test was conducted on a special-built machine to analyze the machine and simulation components.