System integration for a novel positioning system using a model based control approach

This dissertation presents a model-based approach to perform system integration of a novel positioning sensing method, termed \u27Direct Position Sensing.\u27 Direct Position Sensing can actively monitor the planar position changes of motion control devices without the dependency of the conventional position sensor combined with kinematic model to estimate the planar position. Instead, Direct Position Sensing uses the technology of computer vision and digital display to directly monitor the planar position displacement of a motion control device by actively tracking the desired position of the device based on the displayed target showed on the digital screen. The integration of the computer vision as the feedback system to the motion controller, introduces intermittency and latency in the controller\u27s feedback loop. In order to integrate the slower computer vision sensor to the motion controller, a model-based controller architecture, Smith Predictor approach was first implemented to the Direct Position Sensing system. The Smith Predictor uses a mathematical plant model that is running in parallel with the actual plant so that the model predicts the plant output when the actual output of the system is unavailable. Due to the intermittency feedback of the system, a path prediction algorithm was developed to minimize the model residual during the intermittent feedback so that the tracking performance of the system can be improved. Furthermore, a model input corrector was also developed to correct the control action to the plant model based on the model residual to enhance the path prediction. Simulations and hardware experiments results show that the model-based strategy provides improved tracking performance of the system when latency and intermittency exist in the controller feedback loop

An investigation into the effects of thermal errors of a machine tool on the dimensional accuracy of parts

The reduction of machining errors has become increasingly important in modern manufacturing in order to obtain the required quality of parts. Geometric error makes up the basic part of the inaccuracy of the machine tool at the cold stage; however, as the machine running time increases, thermally-induced errors start to play a major role in machined workpiece accuracy. Dimensional accuracy of machined parts could be affected by several factors, such as the machine tool’s condition, the workpiece material, machining procedures and the operator’s skill. Of these, the machine condition plays an important role in determining the machine’s performance and its effects on the final dimensions of machined parts. The machine’s condition can be evaluated by its errors which include the machine’s built-in geometric and kinematic error, thermal error, cutting force-induced error and other errors.This research represents a detailed study of the effects of thermal errors of a machine tool on the dimensional accuracy of the parts produced on it. A new model has been developed for the prediction of thermally-induced errors of a three-axis machine tool. By applying the proposed model to real machining examples, the dimensional accuracy of machined parts was improved. The research work presented in this thesis has the following four unique characteristics:• Investigated the thermal effects on the dimensional accuracy of machined parts by machining several components at different thermal conditions of a machine tool to establish a direct relationship between the dimensional accuracy of machined parts and the machine tool’s thermal status.• Developed a new model for calculating thermally-induced volumetric error where the three axial positioning errors were modelled as functions of ball screw nut temperature and travel distance. The influences of the other 18 error components were ignored due to their insignificant influence.• Employed a Laser Doppler Displacement Meter (LDDM) with three thermocouples, instead of the expensive laser interferometer and the large number of thermocouples required by the traditional model, to assess the thermally-induced volumetric errors of a three-axis CNC machining centre. The thermally-induced volumetric error predictions were in good agreement with the measured results.• Applied the newly developed thermally-induced volumetric error compensation model for drilling operations to improve the positioning accuracy of drilled holes. The results show that positioning accuracy of the drilled holes was improved significantly after compensation. The absolute reduction of the positioning errors of drilled holes was an average 30.44 μm at the thermal stable stage, while the average relative reduction ratio of these errors was 77%.Therefore, the proposed thermally-induced volumetric error compensation model can bean effective tool for enhancing the machining accuracy of existing machine tools used in the industry

Volumetric Error-Based Condition and Health Monitoring System for Machine-Tools

Résumé Des défaillances ou détériorations imprévues ou non détectées des machines-outils entraînent des pertes de production et de qualité, d'où la nécessité d'une maintenance prescriptive et normative utilisant la surveillance de l'état des machines-outils. Cette recherche présente la méthodologie et les solutions développées pour surveiller l’état de précision des machines-outils à cinq axes en analysant les erreurs volumétriques de la machine-outil. L’erreur volumétrique est définie comme un vecteur d'erreur cartésien représentant l'écart de la position réelle de l'outil par rapport à sa position attendue par rapport au repère de la pièce et projeté dans le repère de base. La méthode SAMBA (Scale and Master Ball Artefact) a été utilisée pour mesurer les erreurs volumétriques de la machine-outil expérimentale à cinq axes. Les erreurs volumétriques acquises contenant les états normaux et défectueux de la machine-outil constituent la base de données pour cette recherche. De plus, des pseudo-fautes et les fautes graduelles et soudaines simulées ont également été utilisées. Les caractéristiques du vecteur d'erreurs volumétriques extraites par des mesures de similarité de vecteur sont utilisées comme entrée pour le graphique de contrôle basé sur les moyennes mobiles pondérées exponentiellement, où le changement anormal du vecteur unique d'erreurs volumétriques peut être détecté. Pour surveiller de manière exhaustive l’état de précision de la machine-outil, une matrice de mesures de similarité vectorielle combinée contenant toutes les caractéristiques d’erreurs volumétriques acquises a été proposée et traitée par le graphique de contrôle de la moyenne mobile pondérée exponentiellement. Pour les mêmes défauts, les deux traitements de données ci-dessus peuvent tous détecter automatiquement le temps exact d’apparition du défaut. Sur la base d'une logique de surveillance complète des erreurs volumétriques, une analyse fractale des coordonnées d'erreur volumétrique a également été explorée. Les résultats des tests révèlent qu’il s’agit d’un outil efficace pour représenter la fonctionnalité des erreurs volumétriques. Pour comprendre le processus de changement de l'état de la machine-outil, les erreurs volumétriques historiques acquises ont été traitées par analyse en composantes principales et par K-moyennes. D'une part, les méthodes proposées séparent les états normaux et défectueux de la machine-outil (près de 100%), d'autre part, les machines-outils désignées fournissent les références pour la reconnaissance de l'état d’autre machines-outils lors du traitement de nouvelles données d'erreurs volumétriques. En résumé, le travail de recherche effectué dans cette thèse a contribué à la mise au point d’une solution efficace de surveillance de l’état de la précision des machines-outils à l’aide des erreurs volumétriques des machines-outils, basées sur des méthodes d’extraction de caractéristiques, de reconnaissance des modifications et de classification des états. Le système développé peut reconnaître les points de changement exacts des défauts réels du codeur d'axe C, des pseudo-défauts EXX et EYX. De plus, il atteint une précision proche de 100% dans la classification de l'état défectueux et normal de la machine-outil. ---------- Abstract Unexpected or undetected machine tool failures or deterioration results in production and quality losses, hence proactive and prescriptive maintenance using machine tool condition monitoring is sought. This research presents the methodology and solutions developed to monitor the accuracy state of five-axis machine tools by analyzing the machine tool volumetric errors which are defined as the Cartesian error vector of the deviation of the actual tool position compared to its expected position relative to the workpiece frame and projected into the foundation frame. The scale and master ball artefact (SAMBA) method has been used for the measurement of volumetric errors of the experimental five-axis machine tool. The acquired volumetric errors containing machine tool normal and faulty states provide the database for this research. In addition, pseudo-faults and the simulated gradual and sudden faults have also been used. Volumetric error vector features extracted by vector similarity measures are used as the input for the exponential weight moving average control chart where the abnormal change of the single volumetric error vector can be detected. To comprehensively monitor the machine tool accuracy state, a combined vector similarity measure array containing all acquired volumetric errors features has been proposed and processed by the exponential weight moving average control chart. Towards the same faults, the above two data processing can all automatically detect the exact fault occurrence time. Based on the logic of comprehensive monitoring of volumetric errors, fractal analysis of volumetric error coordinates has also been explored. The testing results reveal that it is an effective tool for volumetric errors features representing. To understand the change process of the machine tool state, the acquired historical volumetric errors have been processed by principal component analysis and K-means. For one thing, the proposed methods separate the normal and faulty states of the machine tool (Nearly 100%), for another thing, the designated machine tools provide the references for machine tools state recognition when processing new volumetric errors data. In summary, this research contributed to the development of an efficient solution for machine tool accuracy state monitoring using machine tools volumetric errors based on feature extraction, change recognition and state classification methods. The developed system can recognize the exact change points of real C-axis encoder faults, pseudo-faults EXX and EYX. In addition, it achieves close to 100% accuracy in machine tool faulty and normal state classification

A reliable turning process by the early use of a deep simulation model at several manufacturing stages

The future of machine tools will be dominated by highly flexible and interconnected systems, in order to achieve the required productivity, accuracy, and reliability. Nowadays, distortion and vibration problems are easily solved in labs for the most common machining operations by using models based on the equations describing the physical laws of the machining processes; however, additional efforts are needed to overcome the gap between scientific research and real manufacturing problems. In fact, there is an increasing interest in developing simulation packages based on "deep-knowledge and models" that aid machine designers, production engineers, or machinists to get the most out of the machine-tools. This article proposes a methodology to reduce problems in machining by means of a simulation utility, which uses the main variables of the system and process as input data, and generates results that help in the proper decision-making and machining plan. Direct benefits can be found in (a) the fixture/ clamping optimal design; (b) the machine tool configuration; (c) the definition of chatter-free optimum cutting conditions and (d) the right programming of cutting toolpaths at the Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) stage. The information and knowledge-based approach showed successful results in several local manufacturing companies and are explained in the paper.The work presented in this paper was supported in some sections within the project entitled MuProD-Innovative Proactive Quality Control System for In-Process Multi-Stage Defect Reduction- of the Seventh Framework Program of the European Union [FoF.NMP.2011-5] and UPV/EHU under program UFI 11/29. Thanks are given to Tecnalia, for collaboration in testing, and especially to Ainhoa Gorrotxategi and Ander Jimenez for the sound work in the project. Thanks to Gamesa Eolica and Guruzpe, for the time, technical advices, and efforts during the analysis in examples

Smart Sensor Monitoring in Machining of Difficult-to-cut Materials

The research activities presented in this thesis are focused on the development of smart sensor monitoring procedures applied to diverse machining processes with particular reference to the machining of difficult-to-cut materials. This work will describe the whole smart sensor monitoring procedure starting from the configuration of the multiple sensor monitoring system for each specific application and proceeding with the methodologies for sensor signal detection and analysis aimed at the extraction of signal features to feed to intelligent decision-making systems based on artificial neural networks. The final aim is to perform tool condition monitoring in advanced machining processes in terms of tool wear diagnosis and forecast, in the perspective of zero defect manufacturing and green technologies. The work has been addressed within the framework of the national MIUR PON research project CAPRI, acronym for “Carrello per atterraggio con attuazione intelligente” (Landing Gear with Intelligent Actuation), and the research project STEP FAR, acronym for “Sviluppo di materiali e Tecnologie Ecocompatibili, di Processi di Foratura, taglio e di Assemblaggio Robotizzato” (Development of eco-compatible materials and technologies for robotised drilling and assembly processes). Both projects are sponsored by DAC, the Campania Technological Aerospace District, and involve two aerospace industries, Magnaghi Aeronautica S.p.A. and Leonardo S.p.A., respectively. Due to the industrial framework in which the projects were developed and taking advantage of the support from the industrial partners, the project activities have been carried out with the aim to contribute to the scientific research in the field of machining process monitoring as well as to promote the industrial applicability of the results. The thesis was structured in order to illustrate all the methodologies, the experimental tests and the results obtained from the research activities. It begins with an introduction to “Sensor monitoring of machining processes” (Chapter 2) with particular attention to the main sensor monitoring applications and the types of sensors which are employed in machining. The key methods for advanced sensor signal processing, including the implementation of sensor fusion technology, are discussed in details as they represent the basic input for cognitive decision-making systems construction. The chapter finally presents a brief discussion on cloud-based manufacturing which will represent one of the future developments of this research work. Chapters 3 and 4 illustrate the case studies of machining process sensor monitoring investigated in the research work. Within the CAPRI project, the feasibility of the dry turning process of Ti6Al4V alloy (Chapter 3) was studied with particular attention to the optimization of the machining parameters avoiding the use of coolant fluids. Since very rapid tool wear is experienced during dry machining of Titanium alloys, the multiple sensor monitoring system was used in order to develop a methodology based on a smart system for on line tool wear detection in terms of maximum flank wear land. Within the STEP FAR project, the drilling process of carbon fibre reinforced (CFRP) composite materials was studied using diverse experimental set-ups. Regarding the tools, three different types of drill bit were employed, including traditional as well as innovative geometry ones. Concerning the investigated materials, two different types of stack configurations were employed, namely CFRP/CFRP stacks and hybrid Al/CFRP stacks. Consequently, the machining parameters for each experimental campaign were varied, and also the methods for signal analysis were changed to verify the performance of the different methodologies. Finally, for each case different neural network configurations were investigated for cognitive-based decision making. First of all, the applicability of the system was tested in order to perform tool wear diagnosis and forecast. Then, the discussion proceeds with a further aim of the research work, which is the reduction of the number of selected sensor signal features, in order to improve the performance of the cognitive decision-making system, simplify modelling and facilitate the implementation of these methodologies in a cloud manufacturing approach to tool condition monitoring. Sensor fusion methodologies were applied to the extracted and selected sensor signal features in the perspective of feature reduction with the purpose to implement these procedures for big data analytics within the Industry 4.0 framework. In conclusion, the positive impact of the proposed tool condition monitoring methodologies based on multiple sensor signal acquisition and processing is illustrated, with particular reference to the reliable assessment of tool state in order to avoid too early or too late cutting tool substitution that negatively affect machining time and cost

Accelerating Manufacturing Decisions using Bayesian Optimization: An Optimization and Prediction Perspective

Manufacturing is a promising technique for producing complex and custom-made parts with a high degree of precision. It can also provide us with desired materials and products with specified properties. To achieve that, it is crucial to find out the optimum point of process parameters that have a significant impact on the properties and quality of the final product. Unfortunately, optimizing these parameters can be challenging due to the complex and nonlinear nature of the underlying process, which becomes more complicated when there are conflicting objectives, sometimes with multiple goals. Furthermore, experiments are usually costly, time-consuming, and require expensive materials, man, and machine hours. So, each experiment is valuable and it\u27s critical to determine the optimal experiment location to gain the most comprehensive understanding of the process. Sequential learning is a promising approach to actively learn from the ongoing experiments, iteratively update the underlying optimization routine, and adapt the data collection process on the go. This thesis presents a multi-objective Bayesian optimization framework to find out the optimum processing conditions for a manufacturing setup. It uses an acquisition function to collect data points sequentially and iteratively update its understanding of the underlying design space utilizing a Gaussian Process-based surrogate model. In manufacturing processes, the focus is often on obtaining a rough understanding of the design space using minimal experimentation, rather than finding the optimal parameters. This falls under the category of approximating the underlying function rather than design optimization. This approach can provide material scientists or manufacturing engineers with a comprehensive view of the entire design space, increasing the likelihood of making discoveries or making robust decisions. However, a precise and reliable prediction model is necessary for a good approximation. To meet this requirement, this thesis proposes an epsilon-greedy sequential prediction framework that is distinct from the optimization framework. The data acquisition strategy has been refined to balance exploration and exploitation, and a threshold has been established to determine when to switch between the two. The performance of this proposed optimization and prediction framework is evaluated using real-life datasets against the traditional design of experiments. The proposed frameworks have generated effective optimization and prediction results using fewer experiments

Investigation into the effect of fixturing systems on the design of condition monitoring for machining operations

The global market competition has drawn the manufacturer’s attention on automated manufacturing processes using condition monitoring systems. These systems have been used for improving product quality, eliminating inspection, and enhancing manufacturing productivity. Fixtures are essential devices in machining processes to hold the tool or workpiece, hence they are influenced directly by the stability of the cutting tool. Therefore, tool and fixturing faults play an important part in the inaccuracy of the machining processes causing deterioration of surface roughness. For the above mentioned reasons, and the limited work in this domain, this thesis develops an experimental investigation to evaluate the effect of fixturing quality on the design of condition monitoring systems. The proposed monitoring system implements multisensors and signal processing methods able to analyse the sensory information and make an appropriate decision. Therefore, several sensors namely force, vibration, acoustic emission, eddy current, power, strain and sound, are combined with a newly suggested approach, named Taylor’s Equation Induced Pattern (TIP), and neural networks to detect tool wear and tool breakage. It also evaluates the monitoring system to provide valuable data to show the effect of fixturing quality. Surface roughness of the workpiece has been measured and compared with the sensitivity of the monitoring system, which reflects the state of tool and fixturing conditions