Virtual machining systems are related to the use of machine tools for part manufacturing. They apply computers and different types of software in manufacturing and production in order to simulate and model the behavior and errors of a real environment in virtual reality systems. This can provide useful means for products to be manufactured without the need of physical testing on the shop floor. As a result, the time and cost of part production can be decreased.
To present applications of the virtual machining systems in machining operations, these statements are presented in bullet points.
Simulated machining process in virtual environments can be used in terms of machine tools modifying.
The part is modeled and produced in a computer simulation environment with predicted errors in order to achieve the best accuracy in the produced part.
Virtual inspection systems such as surface finish, surface metrology and waviness can also be applied to the simulated parts in virtual environments in order to increase accuracy of part production.
The system can be used in process planning of machining operations with regards to the desired tolerances of part designing.
The virtual machining system can also be used in process planning of machining operations by considering the most suitable steps of machining operations with regard to the time and cost of part manufacturing.
Optimization techniques can be applied to the simulated machining process in order to increase efficiency of parts production.
Finite element method (FEM) can be applied to the simulated machining process in virtual environments in order to analyze stress and strain of the machine tool, workpiece and cutting tool.
Accuracy of mathematical error modeling in prediction of machined surfaces can be analyzed by using the virtual machining systems.
Machining operations of flexible materials can be analyzed in virtual environments in order to increase accuracy of part manufacturing.
Vibrations of machine tools as well as possibility of chatter along cutting tool paths in machining operations can be analyzed by using simulated machining operations in virtual environments.
Time and cost of accurate production can be decreased by applying rules of production process management to the simulated manufacturing process in the virtual environment.
Feed rate scheduling systems based on virtual machining can also be presented in order to increase accuracy as well as efficiency of part manufacturing.
Material removal rate in machining operations of complex surfaces can be simulated in virtual environments in order to be analyzed and optimized.
Efficiency of part manufacturing can be improved by analyzing and optimizing the production methods.
Errors of actual machined parts can be simulated in virtual environments in order to be analyzed and compensated.
Simulated machining centers in virtual environments can be connected together by the network as well as the Internet in order to be analyzed and modified.
Elements and structures of machine tools such as spindle, rotation axis, moving axes, ball screw, numerical control unit, electric motors (step motor and servomotor), bed and et al. can be simulated in virtual environments in order to be analyzed and modified.As a result, optimized versions of machine tool elements can boost levels of technology in part manufacturing.
Geometry of cutting tools can be analyzed and modified as a result of simulated cutting forces in virtual environments. Thus, machining time as well as surface roughness can be minimized and tool life can be maximized due to decreasing cutting forces by modified geometries of cutting tools. Also, the modified versions of cutting tool geometries with regards to minimizing cutting forces can decrease cost of cutting tools by presenting a wider range of acceptable materials for cutting tools such as high-speed steel, carbon tool steels, cemented carbide, ceramic, cermet and et al.
The generated heat in engagement areas of cutting tool and workpiece can be simulated in virtual environments in order to be analyzed and decreased. So, tool life can be maximized as a result of decreasing generated heat in engagement areas of cutting tool and workpiece.
Machining strategies can be analyzed and modified in virtual environments in terms of collision detection processes.
3D vision of machining operations with errors of actual machined parts and tool deflection error in virtual environments can help designers as well as machining strategists to analyze and modify the process of part production.
To increase experiences of novice operators in machining operations, the actual machining operation can be simulated in virtual environments in order to be used as a virtual machining training system.
To increase added value in processes of part production, energy consumption of machine tools can be simulated and analyzed in virtual environments by presenting an efficient energy use machine tool.
Machining strategies of freeform surfaces can be analyzed and optimized in virtual environments to increase accuracy of part manufacturing.
Some suggestions for the future studies in virtual machining systems are presented as:
Machining operations of new alloy can be simulated in virtual environments in order to be studied. As a result, deformation, surface properties and residue stress of new alloy can be analyzed to be modified.
New material of cutting tool can be simulated and analyzed in virtual environments. Thus, tool deflection error of new cutting tools along machining paths can be studied without the need of actual machining operations.
Deformation and deflections of large workpieces can be simulated and analyzed in virtual environments.
Machining operations of expensive materials such as gold as well as super alloys can be simulated in virtual environments to predict real machining conditions without the need of shop floor testing.
