The application of high-speed CNC machining to prototype production

This paper describes the application of high-speed milling to the productio n of monolithic, metallic, functional prototypes, with special emphasis pla ced on the applicable process times. An example component is selected and t he relevant process times are presented. Fundamental requirements for the u se of high speed milling to produce prototypes in a timely manner are ident ified. These requirements include: 1) high speed/high power spindles, 2) pr oper spindle speed selection based on the system dynamical 3) machining par ameter definition based on tool wear, 4) high feed/high acceleration machin e drives, 5) intelligent path generation, and 6) pre-process verification o f arbitrary three-dimensional CNC part paths. The implementation of the Sim ultaneous Trilateration Laser Ball Bar (STLBB) system to measure the CNC pa rt paths is described and the device verification procedure is outlined, Ex ample two and three-dimensional path measurements are also shown, (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.