Development Of Database And Application Software For Free Generatrix Grinding Wheel Modification Machine Tool

Currently, the structure of popular CNC system in the market is closed. It has strong stability and high accuracy, but both its hardware and software are closed for users. In contrast, the open CNC system is modular, reconfigurable, scalable and portable. Research and development of general, open CNC system has always been the latest trend of international CNC technology development.CNC system of free generatrix grinding wheel modification machine tool selected general industrial computer as the platform and programmable motion controller PMAC as the core in form of IPC standard plug-in. Based on above open hardware platform, the subject has combined grinding wheel modification technology, NC technology and computer technology and finally developed the databases and application software for free generatrix grinding wheel modification machine tool with the help of powerful control performance and software openness of PMAC. Appliaction of this software can help to achieve the purposes of easy operation, flexiblity, high precision and high efficiency in grinding wheel modification process. Compared to other common methods of grinding wheel modification, this application software has mainly got following results.1. Software-based operations replaced most panel functions, that is to say, changed the CNC system's control model from traditional closed panel to computer software. Used the Pcomm32PRO software that PMAC provided and linked its dynamic link library Pmac.dll in the user's main program, then movement of the grinding wheel modification machine tool could be controlled by calling the appropriate library function. System initialization module of the Software included manual control section which allowed each axis to finish most of the panel functions, such as returning'to zero, positive and negative movement, position-specified movement, distance-specified movement, spindle movement control and feeding rate setting etc. Only a few buttons needed to be placed on the free generatrix grinding wheel modification machine tool's panel.2. Established special databases and designed automatic programming and machining application software. Classified and parameterized the common grinding wheel by generatrix type and then created relevant databases to preserve the grinding wheel's parameter data. During modification process,the user can finish operations quickly and easily by choosing appropriate grinding wheel model from the database and operating the software's other modules.These operations included zero point setting, machining parameters setting, tool parameters setting, program generation and automatic machining. This software also provided query, modify, add, delete function to facilitate databases's maintenance of the user.3. Realized the openness of CNC system. The traditional structure of CNC system was closed, it not only has strong dependence on manufacturers, but also hard for expansion and modification. The modular software design methods allowed the user to expand,change,or delete some functions according to actual production requirement.4. With Low cost and high efficiency, the application software gave full play to the grinding wheel modification machine tool's hardware performance.The application software enables automatic machining of common grinding wheels which have conventional generatrix. Total operation is easy and needn't the help of CAD/CAM software. For complex generatrix's modification, methods and ideas were given in this thesis, related functional modules can be developed and integrated into the software system in case of need.