CNC machining of large FRPC parts employing workpiece localization and toolpath adaptation

Abstract In large fiber-reinforced polymer composite (FRPC) parts manufacturing curing process causes residual stresses in the material, which tend to deform the part after demolding. The geometry variability and the positioning variability on the machine table need to be measured and the toolpath adopted before machining. This requires part positioning within narrow tolerances. The availability of optical measuring devices has facilitated the exact part geometry and location measurement directly on the machine table. This study aims to implement the measurement on the machine table, localization in the machine coordinate system and toolpath generation based on the measured surface profile. The proof of concept was performed in a case of a large FRPC part manufacturing for wind industry.