Method for Machining a Workpiece

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for machining a workpiece ( 20 ) on a numerically controlled machining device ( 9 ), whereby two or more machining steps ( 11, 12, 13 ) are provided for machining the workpiece ( 20 ). A machining data record ( 28 ) for controlling and/or adjusting the numerically controlled machining device ( 9 ) can be run in a control and/or adjustment device ( 26 ) of the numerically controlled machining device ( 9 ) together with a program ( 30 ) for operating the control and/or adjustment device ( 26 ). The machining data record ( 28 ) is used together with the program ( 30 ) for operating the control and/or adjustment device ( 26 ) to generate simulation data ( 47 ) in a simulation step. Subsequently, simulated material removal data ( 49 ) are generated from the simulation data ( 47 ) by means of a material removal simulation. The invention provides a simple method of controlling the machining steps of workpieces that are produced in a plurality of machining steps.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method for machining a workpiece on a numerically controlled processing machine in two or more machining steps, the method comprising the steps of:
 executing in a control device of the processing machine a machining data record for machining the workpiece together with a program for controlling the numerically controlled processing machine,   generating, in a simulation step, simulation data from the machining data record in conjunction with the program that controls the numerically controlled processing machine, and   generating, in a material removal simulation step, from the simulation data simulated material removal data.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein data from the machining data record or from the program that operates the control device, or both, are used in the material removal simulation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of generating simulated geometry data of the workpiece from the material removal data. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of machining a workpiece in a first machining step in accordance with a first machining data record, and comparing the measured geometry data of the workpiece with the simulation data. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the steps of machining a workpiece in a first machining step in accordance with a first machining data record, measuring geometry data of the workpiece, calculating from the measured geometry data of the workpiece material removal data, and comparing the calculated material removal data with the simulated material removal data. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of calculating for a current machining step a difference between the measured geometry data and the simulated geometry data or between the measured material removal data and the simulated material removal data, and modifying a machining data record of a subsequent machining step depending on whether the difference exceeds a threshold value. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of calculating for a current machining step a difference between the measured geometry data and the simulated geometry data or between the measured material removal data and the simulated material removal data, and modifying a machining data record of a subsequent machining step depending on whether the difference exceeds a threshold value. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the machining data record is created using a CAD/CAM system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein simulated data or measured data or calculated data, or a combination thereof, are transferred to a CAD/CAM system. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the simulation step or the material removal simulation step, or both, are carried out on the control device or on a simulation computer. 
     
     
         21 . A system for machining a workpiece on a numerically controlled processing machine, comprising
 a control device configured to execute a machining data record for machining the workpiece together with a program for controlling the numerically controlled processing machine, to generate simulation data from the machining data record in conjunction with the program that controls the numerically controlled processing machine, and to generate from the simulation data simulating material removal data; and   a measuring probe for measuring the machined workpiece.