In this paper, we developed a virtual model predicting the tool deflection induced surface error and investigated the sensitivity and direction of the maximum surface error in various tool geometries and cutting conditions. The characteristics of the error were classified into the axial sensitive, radial sensitive, robust, overcut, and overlap zones according to the depth of cut. The maximum surface error was sensitive to the uncertainty of the radial depth of cut and robust to axial depth variation at the finishing process using a small radial depth of cut. The radial sensitivity was reduced by a large helix angle of tool. The sensitivity was decreased by increasing the depth of cut and it arrived at zero in the robust zone where the maximum surface error was not changed by both radial and axial depths of cut. An overcut occurred if axial and radial depths were deep and the overcut zone was enlarged by the helix angle and the number of teeth.

The mold manufacturing is one batch production that the same process does not repeat. The digital model in software is processed with a real mold fabricated in high performance without error. In this study process planning, and machining simulation software are integrated with a smart machine tool for the mold industry. It reduces the operational complexity to four button clicks after dragging and dropping of 3d model data to fabricate multiple-numbers of graphite electrodes. The smart machine tool fabricated 27 graphite electrodes with minimum interference of humans in 35 hours.

The accuracy simulation technology of linear motion system is introduced in this paper. Motion errors and positioning errors are simulated using informations on the design parameters of elements of linear motion system. 5 Degree-of-freedom motion error analysis algorithm utilizing the transfer function method and positioning error analysis algorithm which are main frame of accuracy simulation are introduced. Simulated motion errors are compared with experimental results for verifying the effectiveness. Then, using the proposed algorithms, simulation is performed to investigate the effects of ballscrew and linear motor on the motion errors. Finally, the influence of feedback sensor position on the positioning error is also discussed.

The tool overhang length affects tool deflection and chatter that should be reduced for machined surface quality, productivity and long tool life. The shortest tool setting algorithm that uses a safe space is proposed and applied with simulation software in NC machining. The safe space in the coordinate fixed in the tool is computed by the virtual machining system that simulates NC machining by stock model, tool model and NC code. The optimal tool assembly that has largest diameter and shortest length is possible using the safe space. This algorithm has been applied over fifty companies for safe and rigid tool setting. The collision accident between holder and stock was reduced from 3 to 0 a year and the productivity was incensed about 15% by using faster feed rate acceptable for shorten tool length.

This paper introduces and illustrates the results of a new method for offsetting the triangular mesh generated from multiple surfaces. The meshes generated from each surface are separated each other and normal directions are different. The face normal vectors are flipped to upward and the lower faces covered by upper faces are deleted. The virtual normal vectors are introduced and used to offset boundary. It was shown that new method is better than previous methods in offsetting the triangular meshes generated from multiple surfaces. The introduced offset method was applied for 3-axis tool path generation system and tested by NC machining.