5XCAM – Next Generation Hybrid Manufacturing Software

5XCAM — 下一代混合制造软件

• 批准号: 100906
• 金额: $ 44.47万
• 依托单位: 5AXISWORKS LTD
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Collaborative R&D
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2021 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=100906
• 关键词: 5XCAM; Next; Generation; Hybrid; Manufacturing

Digital manufacture predominately makes use of two fabrication processes: 3D printing that builds objects up layer-by-layer in a material additive process, and machining where material is cut away from stock with a sharp tool to shape it into the final part in a subtractive process. 3D printing is a revolutionary technology that allows for easy fabrication of parts with complex geometry. However, the parts often have poor tolerances and a rough surface finish. Machining can produce parts with tight tolerances and superior surface finish but is wasteful of material, where typically 50%-90% of the original material is lost in the process.These processes can be combined in a new "hybrid manufacturing" process. 5AXISWORKS have developed a desktop 5-axis hybrid machine called "5AXISMAKER", which for the past 6 years was the core product for 5AXISWORKS. Machines like "5AXISMAKER" can combine the strength of 3D printing and the accuracy of machining by 3D printing a near-shape component and finishing it using its 5-axis machining capability.Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine tools used in digital fabrication need Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software to create a tool path that the machine will follow to produce the part. 3D printing slicer (CAM) software was a significant contributing factor to the rate of adoption and spread of this technology. Targeted at casual users, ease of use made it a universal tool that could easily fit within any fabrication environment. Software to drive 5-axis machines like 5AXISMAKER has traditionally been used by highly skilled professionals in industries like aerospace. This places suitable software out of reach for most in terms of skill required to operate as well as affordability.5AXISWORKS will develop a new CAM software program called "5XCAM" that will make hybrid manufacturing as accessible as 3D printing. It will combine 5-axis subtractive and additive functionality of a "5AXISMAKER" machine in a single interface which is as easy to use as pressing a "go" button on a 3D printer. Our aim is to unlock the power of hybrid manufacturing for a wider market by automating labour intensive toolpath creation. Democratisation of hybrid manufacturing will greatly increase the ability of individuals and businesses to innovate and grow, especially through times of economic recession.

数字制造主要使用两种制造工艺：3D打印，在材料添加过程中逐层构建物体，以及机械加工，其中材料用锋利的工具从库存中切割出来，以将其塑造成最终零件。3D打印是一项革命性的技术，可以轻松制造具有复杂几何形状的零件。然而，零件通常具有差的公差和粗糙的表面光洁度。机械加工可以生产出具有严格公差和上级表面光洁度的零件，但会浪费材料，通常在加工过程中会损失50%-90%的原始材料。这些工艺可以结合在一个新的“混合制造”工艺中。5AXISWORKS开发了一款名为“5AXISMAKER”的台式5轴混合机床，这是过去6年来5AXISWORKS的核心产品。像“5AXISMAKER”这样的机器可以通过3D打印近似形状的部件并使用其5轴加工能力对其进行精加工，将3D打印的优势和加工精度联合收割机起来。用于数字制造的计算机数控（CNC）机床需要计算机辅助制造（CAM）软件来创建机器将遵循的刀具路径以生产零件。3D打印切片机（CAM）软件是该技术采用率和传播率的重要贡献因素。针对临时用户，易用性使其成为一种通用工具，可以轻松地适应任何制造环境。传统上，用于驱动5AXISMAKER等5轴机床的软件一直由航空航天等行业的高技能专业人员使用。这使得合适的软件在操作所需的技能以及经济实惠方面遥不可及。5AXISWORKS将开发一种名为“5XCAM”的新CAM软件程序，使混合制造与3D打印一样容易。它将“5AXISMAKER”机器的联合收割机5轴减法和加法功能结合在一个界面中，就像在3D打印机上按下“go”按钮一样容易使用。我们的目标是通过自动化劳动密集型刀具路径创建，为更广泛的市场释放混合制造的力量。混合制造业的民主化将大大提高个人和企业的创新和增长能力，特别是在经济衰退时期。