A methodology of retrofitting for CNC vertical milling machine

Abstract

In olden day's machine (lathe or milling machine) movements were operated by manual for that trained persons were required, the workspace and the no of axes were limited one. Productions of complicated parts were difficult and batch production also impossible. The dimensions between the parts were varied so to produce batch production, testing was required. So, the cost of production was increased. Manual operated machines are now a day retrofitted by using electrical, electronics and computer software and programming technologies. The axes movements and spindle speed are driven by electrical motors. So, the no of axes can be increased which is depending upon the job's complication. Limit sensors are installed and interfaced. When a particular axis movements are exceeds its limit, the sensors will send the signals and the direction pulses are send which is used to stop the corresponding axes movement actuators. The direction and control pulses are sent from the computer to driver electronics. Actuator terminals are connected with driver electronics. Using CAD/CAM software, 3D modelling and other CNC programming parts are designed and then G-codes and M-codes are generated. The codes are executed line by line. The axes are moved with respect to the codes. Finally the one can obtain the designed parts. So, batch production will become very easy. In that particular production, dimensions between the parts are exactly similar to each other. No need to test every parts individually. Production time is less so no of products are increased.

Manufacturing equipment retrofitting towards Industry 4.0 standards — a systematic overview of the literature

“…The third field -Hardware and Infrastructure -contains eight phrases presenting the development of retrofitting methods, mainly technical solutions, connected with computer-aided design and control systems, embedded systems and their applications in manufacturing. Sridevi et al (2015) presented a methodology for modernising CNC machines. Quatrano et al (2017) described the development of a controller and open-loop control system to reuse an existing CNC machine to perform simple manufacturing operations.…”

Retrofitting for Lathe Machines

“…This system can be adaptable for various types of CAD/CAM software. [2] ` Diego H. Arjoni, Emília Villani explains their work in paper named as Manufacture Equipment Retrofit to Allow Usage in the Industry 4.0. They conclude that the retrofit alternatives presented allowed older machines to be used in industry 4.0.…”

“…Production time is less so minimum products are increased. [2] The reliability of low cost automation is independent on grade of automation i.e. to cover all possible circumstances in its field of any application.…”