Coordinate machine: description

The coordinate machine may have 3 or more axes. In the simplest case, this is a horizontal, vertical and rotational motion. The optimal solution is 5-coordinate systems, which allow processing of most complex products. For a more specialized application to the existing axes, more inclined or rotary mechanisms can be added.

Assignment of multi-axis systems

The coordinate machine has independent axes, which simultaneously orient the tool and the part relative to it. Additional axes include an antispindle knot, table turning, mechanisms for unloading and loading workpieces. The control is carried out from the machine controllers.

The co-ordinate machine has this name due to the accuracy of the holes on the surface of the workpiece along any axis of the system. As a rule, the table moves along two coordinates, and the tool moves vertically along the third. Add the possibility of rotating the part itself and changing the inclined surface.

The coordinate machine is equipped with two additional axes that move the tool itself in a two-coordinate system, which allows performing even the most complicated grooves and holes.

Classical designations

All coordinate machines with CNC are trying to manufacture with the standard names of the axes. However, the manufacturer can change the letter designation at his own discretion. It so happened that the horizontal movement is associated with the Latin letter X, Y often performs the role of vertical projection, but on 5-coordinate systems this axis is the second direction of the table movement.

Movement along the vertical and in the direction of movement of the tool to the part is denoted by the Latin letter Z. Moreover, the increase in the position count increases with the direction from the workpiece. C axis is often referred to as rotational motion, more often this designation is used for cylindrical machining.

Additional axes are assigned according to the continuation of the alphabet. However, the rotational disk of the instrument is assigned the letter A. The counter spindle is called the letter E. The machine manufacturer chooses the further names according to their preferences.

Variety of variants of axial systems

The coordinate-milling machine becomes more expensive with each added axis. Moving the tool itself in two coordinates gives great opportunities for cutting in hard-to-reach places. However, this should be justified from the point of view of technology.

Often, the addition of the rotation of the tool itself reduces the strength of the entire structure and such systems become less durable. The less kinematic connections there are, the more reliable the machine becomes and it is able to process more rigid materials. A more rational solution is not to complement the rotation of the instrument, but to choose models with a rotary table.

With the latter version of the machine, a larger knot rotates, but such a model will undoubtedly be more expensive. However, an important characteristic of the boring machine is the rigidity of the structure and reliability. This parameter decreases when processing parts by weight exceeding the normal parameters.

Features of multi-axis systems

Coordinate drilling machine allows you to obtain complex details:

• Beads, holes in non-standard shape.
• Shaped surfaces, body products.
• Cogwheels, gears, impellers, rotors.
• Easily work out the stiffeners.
• Holes in any projection at different angles, grooves, threads.
• All complex parts requiring curvilinear processing.
• In one cycle it is possible to process completely the whole surface of the workpiece.

Recently, vacuum tables have been widely used to retain the workpiece due to air suction. Classic fasteners are no longer used, which reduces the time to extract and install a new workpiece.

Full production process

Coordinate-milling machine with CNC operates according to a standard algorithm. First, a model of the future part is created on paper or a personal computer. Next, you transfer the dimensions and paths through the application to the kind of vector graphics that the machine understands. The programmer sets the direction of movement of the instrument, inserts technological pauses. Selects tool type, machining speed, positioning accuracy of rotating axes.

After the model is converted into machine codes, the machine is ready to cut the part. But before that, you should debug the program. First, 3D-testing of movements and control of the result is carried out. Then, on a limited supply, the automation cycle is started without rotating the main node-the spindle. If everything goes smoothly and without a deviation of the trajectory of motion, then start cutting the part.

It should be remembered that no CNC machine can physically have protection from ignoramuses. At best, manufacturers provide soft safety couplings against mechanical damage. But even such a small breakdown can lead to a long downtime of equipment. Therefore, all the figures entered in the processing program must be meaningful and calculated. Similarly act when adding correctors to tool wear and backlash compensation.

Tools for creating programs and exporting to the machine

The coordinate machine, as well as the usual one, has internal memory and a set of standard interfaces that allow "flooding" control programs through the connectors: USB, COM, Flash-card, Ethernet, wireless methods. All listed ways of recording programs are options and add a load to the cost of equipment. In the simplest case, the machine can be controlled via an old PC with the installed control card and the corresponding application. This implementation is the most accessible, but for the organization of the correct operation of all the nodes, considerable knowledge is required in the field of machine tool construction.

To create control codes, CAD / CAM applications are used. Their choice is huge, there are also free options from the leading manufacturers of machine tools. However, in the serial production of parts requires a whole team of workers, consisting of a designer, a programmer, a technologist and a repairman. As practice shows, one person can not simultaneously engage in an automated cycle and make changes to the current processing process. With the help of applications, this possibility has partially arisen, but so far there is no universal means that excludes human participation in the calculation of the parameters of the final product.

Technological stop

Pause in the processing of the part is required to remove the accumulated coolant and chips from the cutting area, to monitor the parameters and to visually inspect the integrity of the tool. They are also needed when intensive processing, when it takes time to cool the heated parts of the workpiece.

The programmer makes an automatic stop to confirm the action by the operator. This is how the employee's presence is monitored near the machine during operation. Additionally, a pause is introduced to control the reliability of the grippers during unloading or after loading the workpiece.

Application area

Multi-axis machines are in demand from virtually any manufacturer of metal products, furniture, plastics, unique products. The greatest number of coordinate systems is found in automobile and aircraft building, in the space industry. Also, such machines can be seen on the sites of cutting sheet material.

Vertical multi-axis centers are mobile and easily installed on a flat site in a new location. Manufacturers lay the possibility of upgrading the equipment by adding axes, correspondingly increasing the memory, the number of inputs on the interface cards. From the 3-coordinate center, you can easily get 5 or 6-axis systems.

Types of machines

Multi-axis systems are used not only for the manufacture of holes and metalworking. Coordinate management can be implemented for the following purposes:

• A coordinate-grinding machine is built on a similar principle .
• The card printing system may have a similar structure.
• Automation of painting cars and other parts.
• Filling of forms with different materials is carried out on a grid.

On the basis of a ready-made machine, there are many solutions for narrow production tasks. Specialists of manufacturers' companies are able to refine some models and provide them with robots, compresses for holding parts or carry out a more complex project.