Automatized, holistic use of information from milling processes

Abstract

The improvement of the various CAx (information) process chains along the product lifecycle is a crucial task for the production industry to stay competitive. The collection, processing and visualization of information from different sources (process-, tools and quality) along the CAD/CAM process chain for different stakeholders (designer, programmer, process experts and others) is the main objective of the research project AUTODAT - AUTOmatized, holistic use of production DATa, executed by Premium AEROTEC and Jade University as a cooperative project partners.This contribution illustrates the achievements of a joined approach of the three disciplines: (1) condition monitoring, based on vibration analysis, (2) information modelling as a conceptional basis for the development and (3) visualization of quality and process data using user experience design methods. The architecture of the information flow will be presented as a feedback loop to support early stages of product lifecycle – design and NC programming and simulation. The industrial challenges and company-specific best practices for the implementation are shown as well. Through the joint effort of disciplines, a gap in the information flow could be identified and closed. The flow of process, tool and quality information was established. Thereby, the whole process was improved.