Development of Online Machining and Measurement System in Die and Mold Manufacturing : Concept and Fundamental Experiments

The corrective machining to compensate the resulting errors is usually tried at plural times based on the trial-and-error process when the machining is realized in die and mold manufacturing. This corrective machining has an influence on accuracy and efficiency and is an important factor. The measurement system for measuring the forms of die and mold at all times is essential in order to machine the die and mold with high accuracy and efficiency. However, the problems of management and operation errors are found in compensating process of die and mold machining. In this paper, an online machining and measurement system in die and mold manufacturing is developed in order to overcome these problems. In this online system, 2-axis control system is added to a surface roughness measuring instrument, and both NC machining program and measured data are linked and controlled using a same computer. Therefore, the machining and measurement can be recognized for consistent process, and can be realized on the machine. This system has the advantages such as the high accuracy, low-price, and online convenience and so on. The possibility of practical use of this online system was investigated by fundamental experiments.