Papers by Keyword: STEP-NC

Abstract: In order to solve the problem of openness, intelligence and low integration in the current machining robot control system, STEP-NC standard is introduced into the field of robot machining, and defines the STEP-NC data model of industrial robots. The 6R industrial robots are used to build the machining platform and the connection between the machining robot and the CAD / CAM system and the integrated data stream structure are discussed. The key issues involved in the post processing of the machining robot are studied. Taking the 6R robot as an example, the robot prototype system is established, and the kinematics solution in the post-processing process is studied and deduced. The cutting and post-processing system platform of cutting robot was established and the sample art machining was completed. The experimental and simulation results show that the system can complete the machining process of the cutting robot and generate executable robot machining instructions.

Abstract: ISO 14649 standard, commonly recognized as STEP-NC is a data model interface for computer numerical controllers. STEP-NC goes much further that G codes and has a more comprehensive data model that overcomes the lack of process information in ISO 6983 files (G codes programming). The STEP compliant approach brings the possibility to integrate the machine controller to the overall enterprise information network, with the intention of having bi-directional data flow. This will provide the novel capability for upstream feedback of information from the numerical controller to the design and process areas in the process planning and manufacturing. This paper presents the key concepts of the proposed STEP Convertor of the STEP-CNC Mapping System. The objective of the main system is to take a generic STEP file as the input to drive a CNC machine tool. The main system is broken down into two main sub-systems, STEP Convertor and STEP-NC Translator. This paper will focus solely on the information structure and conceptualization of the STEP Convertor.

Abstract: The Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines works on the technology that uses minicomputers to generate, parse and execute the sequential control. These machines were introduced in 1970’s, this technology replaces the Numerical Control (NC) with the computers. The controller is the main part of the CNC machine that is composed of two parts: software and hardware. The software part of the controller is commonly known as interpreter that translates the International Standards Organization (ISO) data interface model instructions to the hardware part of the controller. Todays commercial CNC systems are operated by ISO 6983 data interface model that is proved to be a low level language and beside that these CNC systems are found to be closed in nature due to the dependency on vendors specification. Due to these shortcomings the current systems are fail to achieve the targets of future CNC system. In order to overcome these problems and limitations the new data interface model and Open Architecture Control (OAC) technology were introduceds. In this paper a new translator for the interpretation of ISO 14649-21 for OAC CNC systems has been presented. This module interprets the data from STEP-NC code and translates as per required structure of CNC machine. Developed module also enables the on machine modification facilities and provides a platform to generate physical output file in .txt and .xml formats as per user defined structure. The development of these kind of systems will makes CNC system more open, flexible, adoptable, interoperable, and intelligent.

Abstract: In future technology in the field of advanced manufacturing, an open architecture controller in CNC system is studied. In this paper, the LabVIEW software platform is chosen and software realization methodology for the CNC system is determined for this application. This research project aims to meet the requirement of open architecture to create a CNC system based on new ISO standards of ISO 14649 and ISO 10303. As a result, open 3-Axis Mill CNC system based on component software reuse technology successfully developed. Two case studies of ISO 14649 (example 1 and example 2) were carried out through this developed system.

Abstract: The paper presents the new possibilities of automation of CNC machine tool programming using STEP-NC (ISO 14649). The drawbacks of G-code language (ISO 6983) still widely used and the data structure of new STEP-NC standard are presented. Next, the automation possibilities, namely automatic recognition of manufacturing features based on ISO 10303 files, automatic generation of STEP-NC programs based on manufacturing features defined in ISO 10303-224/ISO 14649 and automatic modification of STEP-NC (ISO 14649) programs are presented.

Abstract: The open, intelligent and integrated CNC systems have been increasingly demanded with the development of manufacturing. In this paper, derived from requirements analysis, the architecture for a novel open, intelligent and integrated CNC system based on STEP-NC and PMAC is proposed. In the architecture, STEP AP-238 is selected as the NC data, which meets the requirements of the openness of NC data. Then, the open master-slave hardware structure based on IPC+PMAC with double CPUs is designed, which meets the requirements of the flexible hardware. Also, the open and modular software structure is designed, which meets the intelligent function requirements. In addition, the work flow of the CNC system is discussed. It turns out that the architecture presented provides a feasible solution to implement the open, intelligent and integrated CNC system.

Abstract: A framework of an intelligent tool selection system for milling based on STEP-NC machining features is proposed. The main objective of the research is to develop a procedure for the selection of cutting tools. This will help the planners to select the optimal cutting tools. The proposed system consists of the knowledge base module, the inference engine, the user interface and the database. The implementation of the presented system is developed in Solidworks. An example is given to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the prototype system. As a result, this research shows a high potential to aid the development of tool selection and process planning milling system.

Abstract: ISO 14649, known as STEP-NC, is new model of data transfer between CAD/CAM systems and CNC machines. In this paper, the modeling based on machining feature is proposed. The machining feature comes from the manufacturing process considering the restriction of machining technology and machining resource. Then the framework for computer aided process planning is presented, where the algorithms of operation planning is studied. The practical example has been provided and results indicate that machining feature based model can integrate with CAPP and STEP-NC seamlessly.

Abstract: With STEP-NC (ISO 14649) being gradually accepted as new standard for programming computerized numerical control (CNC) machine tools, new technologies and computer systems in the design and manufacturing process chain are emerging, and conventional systems are reshaping, to support interoperable and intelligent manufacturing. This paper addresses issues and solutions for the adaptation. In the first place, a strategy for adapting legacy CNC turning machine tools to the emerging standard is presented. In the second place, the new data model is analyzed and a practical way to retrieve and extract manufacturing information from the STEP-NC part program for turning process is presented. In the third place a workable approach to calculating the cutting force and chip load in turning operations is presented based on the mechanistic modeling method. Finally the proposed approach is implemented in a prototype system and tested with an example STEP-NC program for turning, which shows not only the feasibility of the proposed approach for information extraction and process evaluation, but also the possibility of using simple transitional systems to bridge the gap between the sophisticated STEP-NC part program and conventional CNC machines.

Abstract: This research explored ISO 14649 together with ISO 6983 and utilize STEP-NC in overcoming the problems of G & M code and at the same time take advantage of the current advances in computing and controllers. A new STEP-NC Code Generator called Milling STEP Coder, which focuses on the milling process that are able to generate STEP-NC codes based on ISO 14649 Part 11 was developed. This system also has the capabilities to visualize the STEP-NC codes generated in a parent to child relationship tree-view structure, as well as give an image visualization of how the end machining will appears. The developed Milling STEP Coder uses Software Prototyping Model as its software development methodology, instead of the normal waterfall model, as prototype is a valuable mechanism for gaining better understanding of the system requirements. A small-scale mock up of the system was developed following an iterative modification process. The advantages of the proposed Milling STEP Coder program was verified and evaluated. The Milling STEP Coder can generates STEP-NC codes through a STEP-NC compliant interface and will give industries and academician more in-depth understanding and confidence to make the switch from G & M code to STEP-NC.