Additive Process Equipment Control System for Integration into a Flexible Manufacturing System

Abstract

The paper considers the general scheme of the additive flexible manufacturing system: the main and auxiliary technological equipment is selected, process routes of various part classes are determined, the management features of both individual technological processes and the additive flexible manufacturing system as a whole are discussed. The paper substantiates the necessity of bringing control systems to a single standard for the effective integration of such equipment into the production line in order to promote further organization of additive workshops and additive plants. We suggest a block diagram of a unified CNC system to control various types of additive technological processes, such as selective laser melting, electron beam melting, fused deposition modeling, fused filament fabrication, direct metal disposition, laminated object manufacturing, etc. The paper outlines the features of managing various sources of technological influences: energy (laser sources, electron beam generators), chemical (inkjet print heads) - their main parameters are analyzed and summarized. The possible hardware and software platforms for the implementation of the proposed scheme of a unified CNC system are listed. The paper considers the option of implementing a specialized control system for additive manufacturing equipment based on a common control platform.