BCT:  Automatic machining of individual parts/Adaptive Machining

OpenARMS, tool for Adaptive Machining

BCT’s system OpenARMS (Open Adaptive Repair and Manufacturing Software) is employed in situations where the individual shape of parts – as well as varying clamping positions – have to be taken into account. The integration of different CAD and NC formats permits smooth cooperation with customer-specific systems. OpenARMS can be connected to various NC controls and the integrated measurement module supports both tactile and optical sensors. Based on information on the current part, geometric adaptation of the manufacturing program is undertaken. During this process, the specifications are automatically transferred to every single individually-shaped part. The close connection to NC machines makes it possible to carry out automatic processing – similar to series manufacturing – despite differences between the individual parts.

OpenARMS is the link between the CAD/CAM description of the part and the real individual parts. This adaptation is not limited to special manufacturing methods. When turbine blades are milled or ground, for example, the adaptation of the machining paths makes the laser powder fusion welding process more precise. During the processing of carbon-fiber composite parts, OpenARMS permits targeted material removal on each single, individually shaped part as a preliminary step prior to repair.

Learn more about developments, applications and solutions in our brochure – or test us!

OpenFIT

During the manufacturing of parts, the exact alignment often presents some challenges. These problems may be caused by production-related part deviations, simple fixtures or differences in their handling:
– Nevertheless, machining of the part must take place in the planned position.
– Nevertheless allowance has to be considered when processing casted or printed blank parts to “fit” the final geometry into the blank part.
Additionally the solution should:
– not require using the CAD/CAM systems, again
– adopt the previously defined and tested NC programs
– take characteristics of machine and fixture into account

OpenFIT will solve such or similar processing tasks.
In a first step CAD model of part and fixture as well as the manufacturing program will be imported.
Definition and execution of the measurements to capture the position of the parts inside the machine are realised using the integrated measuring module (tactile probing). Direct communication with the NC controller enables the automatic transfer of measuring programs and results.
Based on this, OpenFIT adapts the position/orientation of a planned machining sequence in minimising the deviations. There is a choice to adapt the NC program, directly or – more elegant – just to transfer the description of the new working coordinate system to the controller. In this case the NC program remains unchanged! The adjustment will only change the orientation in which it is carried out.

Using the functionality of option BestFIT position and orientation of the process are adjusted.

With the extended function of option VolumeFIT, allowances are taken into account as well. This guarantees, that appropriate allowances are available to realise reliable processing of the parts.
⧉ Datasheet

OpenSCAN

To be able to take account of individually shaped parts or special clamping situations within the scope of adaptive machining, we first have to determine the differences between the actual situation and the nominal situation (CAD). All adaptive systems either come with integrated measurement devices – or are connected to such devices – for this purpose.
In the simplest case, the differences can be determined with touch trigger probes. In most cases, these have already been incorporated in the NC machines by the machinery manufacturer and permit reliable measurement of individual points. The BCT solutions for adaptive machining include integrated measurement modules with which measurement sequences can be defined and results displayed.
However, if the machining task requires a large number of measurement points, laser line scanning is more suitable. With this method the distances between the sensor and a strip projected onto the part are evaluated point by point. This method is very fast and simultaneously delivers a large number of measurements points. These measurement procedures can be defined with OpenSCAN. The precision of the measurements is increased by special compensations – in particular, when these are undertaken from different directions (OpenSCAN is available for the Sinumerik 840D).
⧉ data sheet

System Integration

Adaptive systems always consist of a combination of measurement technology and NC machines. Automated machining requires the exchange of information and data between individual components. To achieve this, OpenARMS is usually connected directly to the machine center. With this configuration it is possible to transmit measurement programs, receive measurement results, and transmit and run the adapted NC programs. We support the most commonly used control types. Please don’t hesitate to ask us.
In addition to software, BCT supplies the matching sensor technology for capturing the actual geometry, the clamping elements and other elements up to and including the complete systems including the NC machines of your choice.
An application-oriented briefing on the systems ensures their quick and economic use and is thus a matter of course. Users are put in a position to set up their own projects and define their own processes.

OpenDATA

We can only improve a process if you have enough information on it. If we look at a milling process, for example, we see that vibrations, milling forces, rpms and feed can be measured. In the area of laser powder fusion welding, we see that a large number of parameters – ranging from the laser output to the temperature of the melting bath – can be recorded.

With OpenDATA, moreover, we can now answer the question of which values are to be measured – and at which locations – on the part! This local resolution permits a fast and practice-oriented insight into the particular process and thus delivers reliable information for optimization or monitoring.

OpenDATA combines positional information from the machine with measurement values supplied by external sensors.
We will find a solution to your problem as well!

OpenLMD

The ability to add material to a base geometry  or to parts in case of repairs (hybrid manufacturing approach) opens up some new manufacturing routes.
During the LMD (Laser Metal Deposition) process material in form of powder is blown into a melt pool generated by a
laser while moving the laser spot along the part. This process generates new geometries layer-by-layer on base parts of unlimited size! Special equipment is available for such processes.

In case that material should be added to an existing part, its geometry is of special interest to calculate the volume which has to be generated by LMD, afterwards.
Therefore the base geometry has to be captured e.g. by optical scanning previous the actual printing process. In the next step the build volume has to be determined and trajectories for the laser have to be calculated (LMD technology characteristics to be considered) and sent to the equipment for execution.
To support the user of such systems, BCT developed the package OpenLMD integrating the above mentioned process steps and fully connected to the equipment. With this the user is able to handle all process steps in on software environment. Direct access to the most relevant parameters in combination with simulation the machine/robot movements helps to check the process settings.
⧉ data sheet