A Real-Time C3 Continuous Tool Path Smoothing and Interpolation Algorithm for Five-Axis Machine Tools

Author(s):  
Qin Hu ◽  
Youping Chen ◽  
Xiaoliang Jin ◽  
Jixiang Yang

Abstract Local corner smoothing method is commonly adopted to smooth linear (G01) tool path segments in computer numerical control (CNC) machining to realize continuous motion at transition corners. However, because of the highly non-linear relation between the arc-length and the spline parameter, and the challenge to synchronize the tool tip position and tool orientation, real-time and high-order continuous five-axis tool path smoothing and interpolation algorithms have not been well studied. This paper proposes a real-time C3 continuous corner smoothing and interpolation algorithm for five-axis machine tools. The transition corners of the tool tip position and tool orientation are analytically smoothed in the workpiece coordinate system (WCS) and the machine coordinate system (MCS) by C3 continuous PH splines, respectively. The maximum deviation errors of the smoothed tool tip position and the tool orientation are both constrained in the WCS. An analytical synchronization algorithm is developed to guarantee the motion variance of the smoothed tool orientation related to the tool tip displacement is also C3 continuous. The corresponding real-time interpolation method is developed with a continuous and peak-constrained jerk. Simulation results verify that the maximum deviation errors caused by the tool path smoothing algorithm are constrained, and continuous acceleration and jerk of each axis are achieved along the entire tool path. Comparisons demonstrate that the proposed algorithms achieve lower amplitude and variance of acceleration and jerk when compared with existing methods. Experiments show that the proposed five-axis corner smoothing and interpolation algorithms are serially executed in real-time with 0.5-ms cycle.

Author(s):  
Qin Hu ◽  
Youping Chen ◽  
Xiaoliang Jin ◽  
Jixiang Yang

Linear tool path segments of computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools need to be smoothed and interpolated in order to guarantee continuous and steady machining. However, because of the highly nonlinear relation between arc lengths and spline parameters, it is difficult to develop algorithms to simultaneously achieve real-time corner smoothing and interpolation with high-order continuity, although it is important to guarantee both high calculation efficiency and good dynamic performance of high-speed CNC machining. This paper develops a computationally efficient real-time corner smoothing and interpolation algorithm with C3 continuous feature. The corners at the junction of linear segments are smoothed by inserting Pythagorean-hodograph (PH) splines under the constraints of user-defined tolerance limits. Analytical solutions of the arc length and curvature of the smoothed tool path are obtained by evaluating a polynomial function of the spline parameter. The smoothed tool path is interpolated in real time with continuous and peak-constrained jerk. Simulations and experimental results show that the proposed tool path smoothing and interpolation algorithm can be executed in real time with 0.5 ms control period. Acceleration and jerk continuity of each axis are achieved along the tool path. Comparisons with existing corner smoothing algorithms show that the proposed method has lower jerk than existing C2 algorithms and the real-time interpolation algorithms based on the Taylor series expansion.


2010 ◽  
Vol 443 ◽  
pp. 330-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Han Wang ◽  
Jing Chun Feng ◽  
Sun Chao ◽  
Ming Chen

In order to exploit the advantages of five-axis flank milling method for space free surface machining to the full, a definition of non-equidistant dual-NURBS tool path is presented first. On this basis, the constraint of velocity of points on the tool axis and the constraint of scanning area of the tool axis are deduced. Considering both of these constraints, an adaptive feed five-axis dual-NURBS interpolation algorithm is proposed. The simulation results show that the feedrate with the proposed algorithm satisfies both of the constraints and the machining time is reduced by 38.3% in comparison with the constant feed interpolator algorithm.


Author(s):  
Qin Hu ◽  
Youping Chen ◽  
Jixiang Yang ◽  
Dailin Zhang

Linear motion commands of multi-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools need to be smoothed at the transition corners, because the velocity discontinuities at corners can result in fluctuations on machine tool motions and lead to poor surface quality. However, no research has been reported on local corner smoothing algorithm for four-axis CNC machine tools with two rotary axes by considering their special kinematic characteristics. To this end, this paper proposes an analytical C3 continuous local corner smoothing algorithm for four-axis CNC machines with two rotary axes. After coordinates transformation, the tool tip positions and tool orientations are smoothed by locally inserting specially designed three-dimensional (3D) quintic B-splines and one-dimensional (1D) quintic B-splines into the corners between linear motion segments, respectively. The smoothing algorithm guarantees C3 continuity of the tool tip position and C3 continuous synchronization of the tool orientation related to the tool tip position, through analytically evaluating control points of the inserted microsplines. The maximum error tolerances of the tool tip position and tool orientation are mathematically constrained. Experiments on an in-house developed four-axis machine verify the efficacy of the proposed algorithm, where maximal errors caused by the local corner smoothing algorithm are constrained, the synchronization of the tool orientation and the tool tip position are achieved, and the proposed C3 continuous corner smoothing algorithm has lower jerk and jounce but higher tracking and contour accuracy than C2 continuous algorithm.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 197-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Chen ◽  
Ke Xu ◽  
Kai Tang

Abstract Bladed disk (BLISK) is a vital part in jet engines with a complicated shape which is exclusively machined on a five-axis machine and requires high accuracy of machining. Poor quality of tool orientation (e.g., false tool positioning and unsmooth tool orientation transition) during the five-axis machining may cause collision and machine vibration, which will debase the machining quality and in the worst case sabotage the BLISK. This paper presents a reference plane based algorithm to generate a set of smoothly aligned tool orientations along a tool path. The proposed method guarantees that no collision would occur anywhere along the tool path, and the overall smoothness is globally optimized. A preliminary simulation verification of the proposed algorithm is conducted on a BLISK model and the tool orientation generated is found to be stable, smooth, and well-formed.


Author(s):  
Tao Huang ◽  
Xiao-Ming Zhang ◽  
Jürgen Leopold ◽  
Han Ding

In five-axis milling process, the tool path generated by a commercial software seldom takes the dynamics of the machining process into account. The neglect of process dynamics may lead to milling chatter, which causes overcut, quick tool wear, etc., and thus damages workpiece surface and shortens tool life. This motivates us to consider dynamic constraints in the tool path generation. Tool orientation variations in five-axis ball-end milling influence chatter stability and surface location error (SLE) due to the varying tool-workpiece immersion area and cutting force, which inversely provides us a feasible and flexible way to suppress chatter and SLE. However, tool orientations adjustment for suppression of chatter and SLE may cause drastic changes of the tool orientations and affects surface quality. The challenge is to strike a balance between the smooth tool orientations and suppression of chatter and SLE. To overcome the challenge, this paper presents a minimax optimization approach for planning tool orientations. The optimization objective is to obtain smooth tool orientations, by minimizing the maximum variation of the rotational angles between adjacent cutter locations, with constraints of chatter-free and SLE threshold. A dedicated designed ball-end milling experiment is conducted to validate the proposed approach. The work provides new insight into the tool path generation for ball-end milling of sculpture surface; also it would be helpful to decision-making for process parameters optimization in practical complex parts milling operations at shop floor.


2011 ◽  
Vol 403-408 ◽  
pp. 2962-2966
Author(s):  
Lian Xia ◽  
Jiang Han ◽  
Hu Li

Based on the MIRON UCP800 rotary and tilting table five-axis machine, this paper studies the mathematical model of Five-Axis machining and derives the algorithm formula of Six-Coordinate axis vector into five-axis AC rotary and tilting table. The Post-Processing process of turning the source file to the machine tool path code is fulfilled by using coordinate transformation matrix; with reading the cutting location file line by line, a dedicated five-axis milling post-processing software through adapting the Keyword-Triggered method is developed by using object-oriented program in the paper. First completing construction of Five-Axis machine tools mode in the VERICUT simulation environment, then manufacturing the whole shaft by ternary simulation of impeller machining in NX, and the simulation results shows that the function of Post-Processing software Star-Fpost. The software can provide the actual processing of information for MIKRON UCP800 five-axis machine tools.


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