New procedures for machine tool verification
22-12-2016
Verification procedures built into production plant activities.
Improving the productivity of machining processes by combining advanced simulation models with monitored information related to machines and processes. This is the goal sought by the European project Twin-Control led by IK4-TEKNIKER that kicked off in October 2015.
To achieve this goal, IK4-TEKNIKER is now addressing one of the most significant challenges within the framework of the project: defining, validating and running new verification procedures to reduce machine downtime and, consequently, minimise negative impacts in terms of productivity. The activity focuses on two parallel lines of action.
On the one hand, by updating simulation models in accordance with a machine’s true status, more accurate forecasts can be generated. And, on the other, by monitoring the status of components and spotting variations, it is possible to schedule preventive maintenance actions to minimise damages and reduce machine downtime.
The technology centre’s experience as regards developing advanced geometric control procedures has brought about two solutions. The first of them consists in verifying variations in volumetric errors of the machine based on rapid diagonal measurements. The second solution deals with checking the thermal stability of a machine by using sensors.
The added value of these solutions is based, firstly, on rapid verifications that enable precise monitoring and reduce machine downtime and, secondly, on the possibility of performing a historic follow-up of variations found in machine tool accuracy by means of the measuring equipment (contact sensors) machine tools are fitted with nowadays.