Chapter 9 - Digital twin based computerized numerical control machine tool virtual prototype design

Abstract

Computerized numerical control machine tools (CNCMTs) are fundamental facilities in the manufacturing field. It is essential to establish a precise virtual prototype of CNCMTs for simulation in order to save time and ensure safety. Considering the design, operation, and maintenance processes of CNCMTs, there are two requirements for establishing the virtual prototype: (1) the virtual prototype should reflect the comprehensive performance of multidomain systems of CNCMTs. (2) The virtual prototype should be aware of performance changes of CNCMTs and update itself autonomously. Therefore this chapter establishes a multidomain virtual prototype of CNCMTs on a unified platform and introduces the concept of digital twin (DT) into prototype to achieve real-time and accurate mapping between the virtual and real worlds. First, a basic virtual prototype of CNCMTs is built by establishing its mechanical, electrical, and control subsystems. Then, an updating strategy that contains mapping and consistency maintenance is designed for dynamic and accurate model update. Taking advantage of the cyber-physical mapping characteristics of DT, the designed virtual prototype can truly reflect the actual processing state. On this basis, the accuracy of simulation using the DT-based CNCMTs virtual prototype can be improved, which will benefit the various stages of CNCMTs such as design and commissioning.