VMMC: a test-bed for machining
Virtual manufacturing (VM) which primarily aimed at reducing the lead times and costs associated with new product development offers a test-bed for the time-consuming and expensive physical experimentation. In this paper, a comprehensive architecture of test-bed for machining and errors prediction-Virtual Machining and Measuring Cell (VNWC) is built which can simulate the machining process, measuring process, predict the machining errors and so on. In VMMC, errors existed inevitably in machining are modeled and incorporated in the workpiece model (hence virtual workpiece) during Machining Process Simulation (MPS); then the topography of the machined surfaces of the virtual workpiece is constructed and measuring process is simulated to predict machining errors and surface roughness in virtual measuring. The output of VMMC provides a theoretical basis for optimization of machining conditions and error compensation. As a result, higher machining accuracy and development agility of a product can be achieved. The associated techniques related to develop VMMC are highlighted and practical examples of VMMC are also presented. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
virtual manufacturing machining error virtual machining surface topography error prediction