A NEW MACHINING COST CALCULATOR (MC~2)

摘要

A common objective in manufacturing research is to increase productivity and efficiency while decreasing cost. In machining, dramatic gains in productivity were realized with the introduction of computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines. Further advances in computer technology led to programs that could provide three-dimensional renderings of parts before they were machined. To complement these programs and to aid in the generation of the required code for CNC machine tools, computer aided manufacturing (CAM) software was developed. This software also supplies visualization of the machining steps and calculation of the time required to complete the CNC program. With this time estimation, users are able to select efficient strategies that reduced cost by reducing machining time. However, this time is calculated without considering the time required to accelerate to the desired feed rate and decelerate to a stop. To provide a more accurate time estimate and, ultimately, improved cost prediction, a Matlab-based graphical user interface (GUI), entitled the Machining Cost Calculator (MC~2), was developed that considers the acceleration and deceleration times in the calculations. The GUI consists of a user-selected internal pocket shapes and machining strategies.