CORDIS provides links to public deliverables and publications of HORIZON projects.
Links to deliverables and publications from FP7 projects, as well as links to some specific result types such as dataset and software, are dynamically retrieved from OpenAIRE .
Deliverables
The information flow in the new process chain can be enhanced by software tools, which use the beneficial behaviour of the new object-oriented interfaces. For such functions the back propagation of the NC program modified at the shop floor into the design or planning department and the version management of the NC programs that are tend to be exchanged among various CAD/CAM/CNC systems were selected. A STEP-NC server with object-oriented database was developed for this purpose.
The STEP-NC database can store not only the NC program but also the information objects captured in the NC programs, like feature, operations, and cutting tools. All the objects can be retrieved whenever necessary for re-use by CAD/CAM/CNC systems. The management of version history allows to detect what was changed by whom and when. This functionality is necessary due to the product liability needed for aircrafts and sometimes also for cars. Furthermore, the data instances of geometrical and technological entities which were proved by real machining at the shop floor can be feedback to the CAD/CAM system for re-use.
The bi-directional exchange of NC programs can be done by intranet to ensure a global exchange of data between job shops or between contractor and suppliers. The first installation is under permanent test since November 2001.
During the project data models for the technologies milling, contour cutting, turning and EDM were developed. The data models consist of the technology-specific process data, which is needed for the machining of work piece from the raw material. The description of the data model is done in EXPRESS language, a special object-oriented language for data modelling defined in STEP standard (ISO10303). This EXPRESS information can be directly processed for the adoption of the STEP-NC parser used in the project.
The description of data model was forwarded to ISO TC 184 SC1 for the development of an international standard. The project number of ISO is 14649. It consists of common part and technology-specific parts. The common and milling part was revised to improve the harmonisation with other standards like STEP (ISO10303) and to reflect users' requirements collected from the implementation tests in the course of the project. The vote on first draft has been positive so that a distribution of the FD (Final Draft) version for common structure and milling technology will follow soon.
The draft versions of turning, contour cutting, and EDM parts were finished. The data model for contour cutting and EDM has been verified through the implementation test into the commercial CNC and CAM systems. Implementation test for turning will be done within the IMS STEP-NC project. The voting on CD (Committee Draft) version for these non-milling technologies will follow in 2002.
Based on OSAI 10/Series CNC, prototype software has been implemented in order to exchange working program information with the CMS CAD/CAM system (CMS tool) and machine it on a real machine tool. The exchanging interface is specified by ISO 14649 part 10 (plus part 14 and 141). The software is composed by three elements:
- The ISO 14649 part program interpreter, which make the new ISO program execution available at CNC level (no special post processor are requested).
- The new human interface, which moves the interface from the CNC (proprietary operating system) to a standard PC.
- The CMS CAD/CAM system (which runs in the same hardware where the OSAI CNC human interface runs) used for the workpiece designing and simulation (CAD/CAM features) and for the part program modifications (CNC program set-up features).
This architecture joins the CNC and the CAM system into the same hardware allowing also an easily back propagation of the code. All the transformation and tool compensation are executed internally by the CNC then the ISO code could be really "machine independent".
The STEP CAM software is placed on a "CAM station" that is used on the shop floor. Its task is to import the CAD models via the STEP interface and the given feature data, if supplied along with the CAD model. The software allows to add or modify the feature data and to create machining instructions for it. The system uses a graphical presentation of the workpiece and features and allows a machine simulation of the cutting process.
The output of the "CAM station" is the specific STEP-NC data structure that can be read from any CNC control which supports this data model. This enables to have high-level access to the machining steps for the features and removes the requirement for a post-processing.
Wire-EDM specific data model extensions were developed based on end user requirements and on peculiarities of the EDM technology.
Wire-EDM prototypes were developed for the CAD/CAM/CNC process chain. The CAD/CAM prototype component is based on Alphacam and includes post-processors: one for Agie Wire-EDM equipment, and one for Charmilles Wire-EDM equipment.
The CAM Dassault Systeme application (CATIA V5 Prismatic Machining) is used for preparation of the CNC programs for the production. The data coming from CATIA V5 or another CAD system supplying STEP data can be directly used as input. No additional input for geometry of the product is necessary.
By help of the CATIA V5 application, the operations to machine the part enriched by the strategy and the technological data for tool movement and spindle can be added. The users work is simplified by the use of graphical representation of the work piece, of the area to work, of the features and by photo and video simulation of the machining process.
As result of this machining process, thanks the prototype developed during this project and fully integrated in CATIA V5 Prismatic Machining Workbench, one output is the code for the CNC machine developed in that project.
The general code is nearly independent from the machine tool later used for the production. No post-processing is necessary.
Based on the very popular Sinumerik 840D with Shopmill a software feature was developed which enhances the control to work with the new interface. The software enables the control to read in the new data format and shows the contained information on a graphical human interface. On that interface editing and back propagation of the code is possible. The editing is done by changing information presented in descriptive graphic. If no adoptions are wanted the code can be converted into the Shopmill functions and all the normal functions of the control like simulation, editing of set-up data also can be done. No further education is necessary because the code converter can be seen as black box. If code mistakes e.g. missing cutting strategy appear, the corrections can be done via CAM system or via Shopmill user interface. A simulation of the machining process allows the check of the operability.
The control computes and transforms the information internally so that no post processing for the adoption to the machine configuration is necessary if the axis limitations are watched.
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