US 2017/0038760 A1 · MACHINE TOOLPATH COMPENSATION USING VIBRATION SENSING

Abstract

A method for machining a workpiece using a programmable, numerically controlled machining system by calculating or retrieving a compensated toolpath based on comparing contact position from monitoring a vibration signal from a vibration sensor during probing of workpiece with rotating tool during relative motion therebetween. Contact position is compared to position from predetermined toolpath and wherein the predetermined toolpath extends between initial machining point and end machining point. Machining the workpiece is done along compensated toolpath. The method may be done for repeated passes of machining. The compensated toolpath may include an angle offset to a machining path coordinate system of the predetermined toolpath. Workpiece may be mounted in a multi-axis manipulator of machining system for the probing and machining Multi-axis manipulator may be computer controlled and may be part of a robot.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for machining a workpiece with a programmable, numerically controlled machining system, the system including numerical control means adapted to operate under the direction of a predetermined machining program including a predetermined toolpath extending between an initial machining point and an end machining point and at least one rotating cutting tool powered by a computer numerically controlled machine, the method comprising the following steps:

(1) probing the workpiece with the rotating tool during relative motion therebetween,
(2) monitoring a vibration signal from a vibration sensor mounted in the machining system,
(3) recording a contact position of the workpiece when the monitored vibration signal indicates contact between the rotating tool and the workpiece,
(4) comparing the recorded contact position to a predetermined initial machining point of the predetermined toolpath and calculating or retrieving a compensated toolpath based on the comparison wherein the predetermined toolpath extends between the initial machining point and the end machining point, and
(5) machining the workpiece along the compensated toolpath.

2 more elements

A method for repairing an airfoil tip using a programmable, numerically controlled machining system, the system including numerical control means adapted to operate under the direction of a predetermined machining program including a predetermined toolpath extending between an initial machining point and an end machining point, a grinding wheel powered by a computer numerically controlled machine, the method comprising:

adding repair material at the tip of the airfoil,
using the grinding wheel powered by the machine for making machining passes to machine away excess repair material and blend the airfoil surface of the airfoil at different chordwise locations along the airfoil between leading and trailing edges of the airfoil,
at least one of the machining passes including the following steps:
(1) probing the airfoil with the rotating grinding wheel during relative motion therebetween,
(2) monitoring a vibration signal from a vibration sensor mounted in the machining system,
(3) recording a contact position of the airfoil when the monitored vibration signal indicates contact between the rotating grinding wheel and the airfoil,
(4) comparing the recorded contact position to a predetermined initial machining point of the predetermined toolpath and calculating or retrieving a compensated toolpath based on the comparison wherein the predetermined toolpath extends between the initial machining point and the end machining point, and
(5) machining the airfoil along the compensated toolpath.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Machine toolpath compensation using vibration sensing

Life of this patent

Machine toolpath compensation using vibration sensing

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20