Designing an electronic analog signal processing interface for use in touch-trigger probes in CNC machine tools

• Grant number: 06/02728-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2006
• End date: July 31, 2007
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Manufacturing Processes
• Principal Investigator: Reginaldo Teixeira Coelho
• Grantee: Denny Hua Jong
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Amongst the functionality that ‘touch trigger probes’ can provide when under control of a CNC command unit are: dimensional control and inspection of manufactured parts; tool flank wear compensation; simplified quick setup process; creation of statistical data bank of processes for possible manufacturing optimizations; process measuring and calibration according to project specifications, and other possibilities. The presence of probes connected to CNC machines has become quite common worldwide. Nowadays, a great amount of tool machines are coming out of their production lines with touch trigger probes already installed. However, in Brazil, there are still some issues to be overcome for this to become a reality, e.g. the high cost of these imported devices, which makes it difficult for medium-sized to small companies to purchase them. The goal of this project is to develop the electronic structure (an interface for an analog signal sent by a piezo-resistive pressure/force sensor) for the Doctorate project entitled: “Study and Development of in-processes measuring systems for CNC Machine Tool” (Title in Portuguese: “Estudo e Desenvolvimento de sistemas de Medição em Processo para aplicações em usinagem com Máquinas-Ferramentas CNC”, Processo FAPESP No. 2005/00031-7), whose goal is to make it possible to produce touch trigger probes able to perform spatial measurements with national, low cost technology.