4th Working group of the European “FoFdation” Project meet again to discuss machine tool and process parameters which affect lead times and surface quality in milling processes

Only one month after the successful Kick Off Meeting held in June, the 4th working group of the 10 M€ FOFdation project assembled again in Athens. This time to discuss which machine tool and process parameters affect lead times and surface quality in milling processes. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) July 23, 2011 - It is the aim of the 4th working group to develop innovative technologies that will increase predictability in terms of surface quality and lead times.

During the discussions, over 100 parameters have been identified ranging from controller characteristic till the flow of coolant and machine tool stiffness. Each of them in their own right do influence lead time and surface quality, however one more than the other. Earlier discussions already made clear that the 4th Working group have set challenging objectives. According to Professor George Chryssolouris, EFFRA board member and Director of Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems & Automation (LMS) at the University of Patras (GR): ‘Working group 4 of the FoFdation project is aiming high with their objectives. It is however reflecting the industrial needs and with having experienced partners as Delcam (UK) and ARTIS (D) leading the work, promising progress can be made. Our Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems & Automation will provide all scientific and practical support that is needed to test initial outcomes in an early stage in order to come to the wanted results as quickly as possible’.

Other partners in this 4th Working group include CADCAMation (CH), Centro Ricerche FIAT (IT), ECN (F), ETHZ (CH), FIDIA (IT), and GF Agie Charmilles (CH).

In September 2011, members of this working group will be trained at Delcam’s HeadQuarter in Birmingham in using Delcam’s advanced manufacturing software package PowerMILL. This software will be the platform for integrating innovative algorithms compensating for the influence of the mentioned parameters on cutter paths. This will enable predictable outcomes in terms of surface quality and lead times. In October 2011, all work group partners will meet at ARTIS to be trained in the ARTIS products and to discuss the progress as to be made in the coming months.

Acknowledgements:

This project is co-funded by the European Commission as part of the European Economic Recovery Plan (EERP) adopted in 2008. The EERP proposes the launch of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in three sectors, one of them being Factories of the Future (FoF).

Factories of the Future is a EUR 1.2 billion program in which the European Commission and industry are collaborating in research to support the development and innovation of new enabling technologies for the EU manufacturing sector. For further information please visit:

http://ec.europa.eu/research/industrial_technologies/lists/factories-of-the-future_en.html

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