Abstract
STEP-NC (Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data–Numerical Control) for metal milling and turning is not implemented by industrial computer numerical controllers. Solutions reported are prototypes based on post-processing in G-code. Moreover, minority machining processes, such as stone cutting, have not yet been contemplated in the STEP-NC standard. This article takes that sector as a use case. An extended STEP-NC model for circular saw stone-cutting operations is proposed, and a prototype automation implementation is developed to work with this extended model. This article shows how modern technological resources for coordinated axes control provided by many industrial controllers for the automation of general-purpose machines can speed up the processes of implementing STEP-NC numerical controllers. This article proposes a mixed and flexible approach for STEP-NC-based machine automation, where different strategies can coexist when it comes to executing STEP-NC machining files, so controllers do not need to implement the standard in an exhaustive way for all the possible features, but only at selected ones when convenient. This is demonstrated in a prototype implementation which is able to process STEP-NC product files with mixed-feature types: standard milling and non-standard sawblade features for stone processing.
Highlights
Traditional machining equipment has been used for decades when working with different materials, such as metal, wood, or glass
Control device manufacturers provide functionalities for the interpretation of toolpath specifications according to this standard for direct transfer to the positioning commands of the different axes [4,5] These functionalities are invisible to the programming user, who only needs to be concerned with parametrizing
The prototype implementation demonstrated how modern technological resources for axis control provided by many industrial numerical controllers allow mixed-technology implementation: ISO 6983 with STEP-NC
Summary
Traditional machining equipment (for milling, turning, or laser cutting) has been used for decades when working with different materials, such as metal, wood, or glass. Even low-cost devices, such as Arduinos, have functionalities for toolpath specification interpretation, such as Marlin or Repetier Host, used in additive manufacturing technologies [6,7] This old technology based on G-code presents serious obstacles when it comes to undertaking complex solutions that require, for example, a conditional, adaptive, or intelligent action in a standard way, which is a key part of modern machinery development. This article proposes a mixed and flexible approach for STEP-NC-based machine automation, where different strategies can coexist when it comes to executing a STEP-NC machining specification file, so controllers do not need to implement the standard in an exhaustive way for all the possible features and operations, but only at selected ones when convenient. These strategies and new automation functionalities can be transferred to other technologies
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