Generation of polished-sculptured surfaces by advanced machining center-robot complex

The structure of a manufacturing complex to produce parts with smooth sculptured surfaces is considered, and its prototype, consisting of a machining center and an industrial robot, is discussed with experimental results. The five-axis control machining center machines workpieces, and then grinds them on the basis of NC data avoiding collision between the tool and the workpiece. Polishing follows machining and grinding, to improve further the surface quality of the workpieces. The generation of NC data and control commands is supported by a CAD/CAM system using the solid modeling technique. The prototype of the manufacturing complex was found to be effective for obtaining complicated workpieces rapidly and accurately