A unified manufacturing resource model for representation of computerized numerically controlled machine tools

Abstract

The capability of any manufacturing system primarily depends on its available machine tools. Thus machine tool representation is a vital part of modelling any manufacturing system. With the rapid advances in computerized numerically controlled (CNC) machines, machine tool representation has become a more challenging task than ever before. Today's CNC machine tools are more than just automated manufacturing machines, as they can be considered multi-purpose, multi-tasking, and hybrid machining centres. This paper presents a versatile methodology for representing such state-of-the-art CNC machining system resources.A machine tool model is a conceptual representation of the real machine tool and provides a logical framework for representing its functionality in the manufacturing system. There are several commercial modelling tools available in the market for modelling machine tools. However, there is no common methodology among them to represent the wide diversity of machine tool configurations. These modelling tools are either machine vendor specific or limited in their scope to represent machine tool capability. In addition, the current information models of STEP-NC, namely ISO 14649, can only describe machining operations, technologies, cutting tools, and product geometries. However, they do not support the representation of machine tools. The proposed unified manufacturing resource model (UMRM) has a data model which can fill this gap by providing machine specific data in the form of an EXPRESS schema and act as a complementary part to the STEP-NC standard to represent various machine tools in a standardized form. UMRM is flexible enough to represent any type of CNC machining centre. This machine tool representation can be utilized to represent machine tool functionality and consequential process capabilities for allocating resources for process planning and machining.

Design verification and validation in product lifecycle

“…A typical manufacturing system consists of a range of resources such as machine tools, material handling systems, fixtures, robotic arms, and measurement systems [51]. Each resource has a distinct purpose and thus provides specific capabilities that are utilised in manufacturing decision-making.…”

Machine tool capability profiles for representing machine tool health

“…Zhang et al [32] proposed Reliability Information System for CNC Machine Tool, where the information architecture was designed to collect and analyse machine tool performance data. Many approaches for representing configuration and technological information for a machine tool can be found in the literature [7], however, none of them address standardising machine tool health representation.…”

“…The UMRM has been utilised to represent: (i) various configurations of conventional CNC machine tools including turning centres and multitasking turn-mill centres [7], (ii) various auxiliary devices and material handling system configurations prevalent in the manufacturing industry [33] and (iii) a variety of fixturing devices used for enhancing the machine tool's work-piece holding capabilities [34]. However, the extent of UMRM's data model does not cover representation of the machine tool's health.…”

“…In this paper, the STEP-NC [5,6] compliant methodology for representing machine tool information [7] is extended to represent machine tool health. Information requirements to represent machine tool health are derived from the established machine tool testing standards.…”

A novel methodology for cross-technology interoperability in CNC machining

“…These CNC machines can be classified by a range of different categories including machining process, number of axes, spindle arrangement, number of spindles, and kinematics configuration [5,6]. The development of various CAD/CAPP/CAM/CNC systems in the CAx process chain created a requirement for data exchange standards to enable data integration between machines and systems from different vendors.…”