Tuesday, October 20, 2009

CNC Machines: Performing Alignments and Volumetric Compensation

CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines have successfully transformed the manufacturing industry from using hard-wired machines, whose operating parameters could not be changed, to machines that can cut curves as easily as straight lines and can produce complex 3D structures with ease.

Thermwood Corporation is currently the oldest CNC router company and continues to offer products for the woodworking, plastics, and aerospace industries.

An important process for their CNC machines is axis alignment verification. Their tools, however, were very time-consuming and just weren’t providing the desired solution. They also wanted a solution to performing volumetric axis compensation.

The
FARO Laser Tracker became that solution for Thermwood. The amount of time required for machine alignments has been cut to less than half. What once took up to eight hours to complete can now be accomplished in approximately three. In addition, they can now perform volumetric compensation, which would not have been possible without the Laser Tracker.


Axis Alignment Verification

How it’s done:
• Initial Laser Tracker measurement setup is performed in the early stages of machine assembly
• SMR (spherically mounted retroreflector) is fitted onto a special fixture, which allows it to be attached to each rail and moved manually along them
• Fixture is then fitted with precision rail bearings, which allows it to track the rail very precisely
• Machine assembly is completed
• Servo drive system is fitted
• Computer control is installed
• Machine is again checked using the Laser Tracker
• Additional minor calibration adjustments are performed if necessary


Volumetric Compensation

How it’s done:
• Positioning data is acquired in a matrix pattern on multiple planes
• The entire work envelope of the machine is mapped
• A correction table is developed by
-Triangulating between the various points in volumetric model space
-Measuring the error for each position
-Formulating a table of correction data to be loaded into the machine control and accessed during program execution
• Method of compensating for error during the program cycle is essentially the same as with linear compensation, except during program execution the control is required to
-Simultaneously track and compare axis movement on three distinct orthogonal paths
-Affect positional corrections correspondingly on all three axes, in phase with program execution

Read the full story

8 comments:

  1. Indian cutting tools is the world's leading supplier of thread cutting, thread rolling, threading tools, threading taps, thread cutting tools, cutting thread and thread rolling dies.
    Address : D-189, Industrial Focal point, Patiala-147004, Punjab, INDIA
    Contacts : +91-175-319-8222, +91-959-222-8222
    Email : info@indiancuttingtools.com, dedicatedimpex@gmail.com
    Website : www.indiancuttingtools.com, www.dedicatedimpex.com

    Broaching Tools
































    ReplyDelete
  2. great pleasure reading your post.Its full of information I looking for and I love to post a comment that "The content of your post is awesome" Great work. diy cnc router

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very nice way of writing. Amazing content written by the author. Keep posting like that
    CNC Bandsaw machines

    ReplyDelete
  4. nice content.i keep reading you blog.it is valuable information for me.inventory-deal is a CNC VMC tooling suppliers in india.get special offers and discounts

    ReplyDelete
  5. With the invention of CNC Machine Tools, they are providing jobs for number of job seekers who are expert in the operation of these machines.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It is really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing If you have any queries regarding
    CNC tool carts
    and other products, you can

    ReplyDelete
  7. The content that you shared was very informative, Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Its a great pleasure reading your post.Its full of information I am looking for and I love to post a comment that "The content of your post is awesome" Great work. CNC machine

    ReplyDelete

Share your success story or thoughts!