AUTOMATED PROCESSING OF DATA MONITORED DURING GRINDING

STIANKO, M.; TRMAL, G.J.; ZARUBA, Z.

Abstract

Current grinding machines and cutting centres (CNC) contain control systems that can continuously record lots of data about the process. This article describes a method that can get information from the physical quantities, which were recorded during the process. The method automatically reveals current conditions the workpiece was exposed during manufacturing, and thus shows the real physical conditions that influenced quality of the workpiece surface. Processing of recorded data can be automated using a macro developed in Visual Basic for Applications. The macro processes data into graphs of these quantities – Power, Normal Force, Wheel Speed, Work Speed and X position. Further, the macro calculates values of parameters that describe quality of the process and also create graphs of Speed Ratio, Tangential Force and especially Force Ratio and Specific Energy. Finally, another macro generates a Grinding Data Report in MS Word, which contains graphs of all the quantities and parameters mentioned above. Communication between MS Excel and MS Word is programmed in Visual Basic as well – MS Excel macro controls cursor movement in MS Word document, copies and inserts graphs, formats them etc.

Coresponding author e-mail: martin[dot]stianko[at]vslib[dot]cz

Session: Information Technologies in Automation