IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO ABRASIVE MACHINING

摘要

Control apparatus (22) for a water jet process (24) has a first module (50) receiving signals from an acoustic emission sensor associated with the part being milled. The module (50) uses an algorithm (57) to evaluate the workpiece shape in real-time, as the process (24) continues, and provides corrections at (52), based on a model at (54). Initial instructions to the CNC machine (26) are from CAD/CAM software (30), based on a model (32) for the milling process. Periodically a second module (64) receives metrology signals (44) allowing the actual shape achieved to be compared with the required shape. If necessary, the algorithms (32, 54, 57) can be updated or modified.