Quality-oriented, Comprehensive Modelling of Machining Processes

Modelling of machining operations is a key issue in today’s manufacturing. Reliable and effective models are needed in order to plan and control machining processes. The paper gives a short overview of modelling approaches frequently used in manufacturing with emphasis on the workpiece quality. Classical, e.g. differential equation-based techniques focus on the special aspects of machining (e.g. cutting forces, temperature, tool wear) and cannot handle the whole complexity of the processes manifested in the great number of variables and their stochastic, non-linear relations. The paper introduces a concept for quality-oriented, comprehensive modelling of machining processes. It incorporates a large number of variables grouped into input, output and inprocess categories. Fundamental features of the concept are the ability to learn from experience, and the flexibility in realising various, task dependent mappings with their inherent model building capability.