Method for Enhanced Accuracy in Machining Free-Form Surfaces on CNC Milling Machines

Abstract

Abstract The present article describes a method for enhanced accuracy in machining free-form surfaces produced on CNC milling machines. In this method, surface patch machining programs are generated based on their nominal CAD model. After the pretreatment, coordinate control measurements are carried out. The obtained results of the measurements contain information on the values and distribution of observed machining deviations. These data, after appropriate processing, are used to build a corrected CAD model of the surface produced. This model, made using reverse engineering techniques, compensates for the observed machining deviations. After regeneration of machining programs, the object processing and control measurements are repeated. As a result of the conducted procedure, the accuracy of the manufacture of the surface object is increased. This article also proposes the introduction of a simple procedure for the filtration of measurement data. Its purpose is to minimise the effect of random phenomena on the final machining error correction. The final part of the article presents the effects of the proposed method of increasing the accuracy of manufacturing on ‘raw’ and filtered measurement data. In both cases, a significant improvement in the accuracy of the machining process was achieved, with better final results obtained from the filtered measurement data. The method proposed in the article has been verified for three-axis machining with a ball-end cutter.