Grant: Idea to Innovation
University of British Columbia
$125,000.00
Machining Simulation Software for Fast and Accurate Process Verification, Phase 1
FY 2016-17
Summary
This project is to convert a proof-of-concept machining simulation software prototype developed at UBC into a demo-ready version for industrial applications. Machining simulation is a common but essential task in modern Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining operations. The purpose is to confirm whether the machining commands to be used by a CNC machine tool are created without errors and able to produce the desired part geometry correctly. Fast simulation execution is, thus, critical to the CNC machining industry as it accelerates the iterative machining process development cycle. Current commercial machining simulation software is either too inaccurate or too slow. The UBC invention is able to simulate all milling processes and compute the machined part geometry both accurately and efficiently. It outperforms the leading machining simulation software on the market with much improved simulation speed and comparable accuracy. This demonstrates the huge commercial potential and market opportunity for the UBC invention.The global CNC machining industry is large and keeps growing. The extensive CNC machining market will power the successful commercialization of the UBC machining simulation software. In this project, five project tasks are to be completed in order to transform the UBC invention into a software product ready for commercialization and industrial applications. These tasks involve enhancing current technical capabilities to reduce memory usage and enable multi-threading as well as adding new application functions of an intuitive user interface and a utility module for error analysis. Industrial case studies will be performed at Longterm Technology Services Inc. in Ontario, a potential business partner for the UBC technology, and its customer sites. Canada has a sizable CNC machining industry supporting the automotive and aerospace manufacturers. The UBC machining simulation software will benefit these companies and enable them to quickly develop the CNC machining process and produce quality machined parts.
Program
Idea to Innovation
Recipient
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
501853-2016
Name nom
Feng, HsiYung(Steve)
Department département
Mechanical Engineering
Organization id
2
Institution établissement
University of British Columbia
Province en
British Columbia
Province fr
Colombie-Britannique
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2016
Competition year année de concours
2016
Award amount
125000
Program id
I2IPJ
Program name en
Idea to Innovation
Program name fr
De l'idée à l'innovation
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
510
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Fabricated metal products
Area of application fr
Produits métalliques usinés
Research subject code
1702
Research subject group en
Design and manufacturing
Research subject group fr
Conception et fabrication
Research subject en
Advanced manufacturing
Research subject fr
Méthodes de fabrication avancées
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Machining Simulation Software for Fast and Accurate Process Verification, Phase 1
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
This project is to convert a proof-of-concept machining simulation software prototype developed at UBC into a demo-ready version for industrial applications. Machining simulation is a common but essential task in modern Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining operations. The purpose is to confirm whether the machining commands to be used by a CNC machine tool are created without errors and able to produce the desired part geometry correctly. Fast simulation execution is, thus, critical to the CNC machining industry as it accelerates the iterative machining process development cycle. Current commercial machining simulation software is either too inaccurate or too slow. The UBC invention is able to simulate all milling processes and compute the machined part geometry both accurately and efficiently. It outperforms the leading machining simulation software on the market with much improved simulation speed and comparable accuracy. This demonstrates the huge commercial potential and market opportunity for the UBC invention.The global CNC machining industry is large and keeps growing. The extensive CNC machining market will power the successful commercialization of the UBC machining simulation software. In this project, five project tasks are to be completed in order to transform the UBC invention into a software product ready for commercialization and industrial applications. These tasks involve enhancing current technical capabilities to reduce memory usage and enable multi-threading as well as adding new application functions of an intuitive user interface and a utility module for error analysis. Industrial case studies will be performed at Longterm Technology Services Inc. in Ontario, a potential business partner for the UBC technology, and its customer sites. Canada has a sizable CNC machining industry supporting the automotive and aerospace manufacturers. The UBC machining simulation software will benefit these companies and enable them to quickly develop the CNC machining process and produce quality machined parts.
