Monitoring and Predicting the Surface Generation and Surface Roughness in Ultraprecision Machining: A Critical Review

The aim of manufacturing can be described as achieving the predefined high quality product in a short delivery time and at a competitive cost. However, it is unfortunately quite challenging and often difficult to ensure that certain quality characteristics of the products are met following the contemporary manufacturing paradigm, such as surface roughness, surface texture, and topographical requirements. Ultraprecision machining (UPM) requirements are quite common and essential for products and components with optical finishing, including larger and highly accurate mirrors, infrared optics, laser devices, varifocal lenses, and other freeform optics that can satisfy the technical specifications of precision optical components and devices without further post-polishing. Ultraprecision machining can provide high precision, complex components and devices with a nanometric level of surface finishing. Nevertheless, the process requires an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the machining system, such as diamond turning with various input parameters, tool features that are able to alter the machining efficiency, the machine working environment and conditions, and even workpiece and tooling materials. The non-linear and complex nature of the UPM process poses a major challenge for the prediction of surface generation and finishing. Recent advances in Industry 4.0 and machine learning are providing an effective means for the optimization of process parameters, particularly through in-process monitoring and prediction while avoiding the conventional trial-and-error approach. This paper attempts to provide a comprehensive and critical review on state-of-the-art in-surfaces monitoring and prediction in UPM processes, as well as a discussion and exploration on the future research in the field through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital solutions for harnessing the practical UPM issues in the process, particularly in real-time. In the paper, the implementation and application perspectives are also presented, particularly focusing on future industrial-scale applications with the aid of advanced in-process monitoring and prediction models, algorithms, and digital-enabling technologies.

An Efficient Ultraprecision Machining System Automating Setting Operations of Roughly Machined Workpiece

Ultraprecision machining is required in many advanced fields. To create precise parts for realizing their high performance, the whole machining process is usually conducted on the same ultraprecision machine tool to avoid setting errors by reducing setting operations. However, feed rate is relatively slow and machining efficiency is not so high compared to ordinary machine tools. Thus, the study aims to develop an efficient ultraprecision machining system including an industrial robot to avoid manual setting and to automate the setting operations. In this system, ultraprecision machining is conducted for the workpiece having a shape near the target shape, which is beforehand prepared by ordinary machine tools and is located on the machine table by means of an industrial robot. Since the setting errors of the roughly machined workpiece deteriorate machining accuracy, the differences from the ideal position and attitude are detected with a contact type of on-machine measurement device. Numerical control (NC) data is finally modified to compensate the identified workpiece setting errors to machine the target shape on an ultraprecision machine tool. From the experimental results, it is confirmed that the proposed system has the possibility to reduce time required in ultraprecision machining to create precise parts with high efficiency.

On-Machine Diamond Tool Shaping to Realize Highly Efficient Ultraprecision Machining System

Tool wear is one of the critical issues which deteriorate machining accuracy in ultraprecision machining. However, tool setting errors caused by the change of worn tool during a machining operation should be carefully compensated by identifying the gaps between the ideal tool center point and the actual tool center point, which inevitably lead to low machining efficiency. Because of the long consumption time of actual tool center point detection, this study aims at achieving on-machine shaping of a diamond tool which is commonly used in ultraprecision machining. In the previous study, shaping conditions without tool chipping are investigated by using various shaping materials. Then, in order to create a flank face that is necessary to realize preferable cutting, a pin gauge made of cemented carbide is adopted as the shaper. From the conducted experiments, it is found that the proposed on-machine shaping can create a specific cutting edge and a flank face on an ultraprecision machine tool.