NC path optimization and validation using machining experiments

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The aerospace industry produces a huge quantity of parts using Numerical Controlled (NC) Machine-tools. The NC programs developed to cut the parts along specific trajectories using Computer Aided Manufacturing software (CAM) generally require long simulations, manual fine-tuning as well as an iterative tool prove mechanism before being able to cut the part as per its specifications. Although this process leads to a good NC program that will produce proper parts, this latter has not necessarily been designed to minimize tool positioning travel times or cutting parameters to ensure constant chip load, as for example. ICAM Corporation, one of the leader in the industry of post-processing and NC simulation software solution, proposes a solution to optimize tool paths produced from CAM simultaneously to the post-processing of G-code and ensuring a collision-free resulting NC program. The proposed research project is to contribute to this development and validate the NC path optimizer through extensive machining experiments. At the end of the project, the new functionalities of the software will propose efficient optimization for cutting trajectories and machining conditions enabling significant processing and production time saving as well as improved quality of parts. High cost savings are expected for typical manufacturing sectors as the aerospace, automotive and mould/dies industries.