Computer-aided alignment of castings and machining optimization

The presented publication demonstrates an accuracy assessment method for machine tool body casting utilizing an optical scanner and reference model of the machine tool body. The process allows assessing the casting shape accuracy, as well as determining whether the size of the allowances of all work surfaces is sufficient for appropriate machining, corresponding to the construction design. The described method enables dispensing with the arduous manual operation of marking out as well as shortening the time of aligning and fixing the casting body for machining. For the experimental setup, four rotary indexing table castings were investigated according to the method principles. The geometric accuracy of each casting was examined by comparing their scans with the computer-aided design model, and the machining allowances were evaluated to determine casting qualification for machining. The nominal volume of material to be removed was established and subsequently optimized to reduce the volume to be machined. ...