Incremental forming slipway geometry measurement with using of a laser tracker

Abstract

The technological equipment geometry control has a significant impact on the overall quality and performance of the product in many manufacturing processes such as multi-position assembly and stamping as well as on productivity and production costs. One of the most promising means of technology equipment geometry control in the digital economy condition is a laser tracker. The robotic incremental sheet forming process provides the necessary flexibility and profitability due to a very flexible tool chain. In this case, the trajectory of the universal tool is set using a processing program determined by the product geometry. The technological equipment geometry control of the robotic complex for incremental sheet forming was carried out in 2 stages. At the first stage, the measurements were carried out manually in the absolute range measuring system mode. At the second stage, a dynamic measurement of the blank plane displacement was carried out automatically in the interferometer mode during forming process. It was shown that the largest slipway deviation is more than 1 mm and it occurs in the direction of the main application of force, i.e. in the product manufacture depth. This value can have a serious impact on the manufacturing parts geometry accuracy. Based on the measurement results, it can be concluded that it is necessary to increase the frame rigidity, either by adding additional fasteners, or by using more rigid materials of its construction.