Development of an Autonomous Machine Tool without the Need to Prepare an NC Program

An autonomous machine tool has been developed to solve fundamental issues with the current command method using NC programs, and some key technologies for its realization have been devised. In the process planning system, various process plans are prepared, and the appropriate process plan can be selected to achieve flexible machining operations. Digital Copy Milling, digitizing the principle of copy milling, has opened up new possibilities for machine tool control. The NC machine tool can be directly controlled with the 3D CAD data of the product shape. Direct machining without the need to prepare an NC program, adaptive control which changes the cutting conditions in accordance with the cutting load, and fault detection can be performed. Machining shape simulator and cutting force simulator are integrated to achieve simultaneous prediction with milling operation for providing the possibility of milling process control and fault detection.