Whats Closed Loop Machining?
The machining process is not a static environment. Mechanical relationships between the cutting tool and the work are constantly changing due to a variety of influences. These variations can be reduced but never totally eliminated. Basically closed-loop machining is a system that can automatically compensate a machine tool for dimensional vagaries caused by worn tools, thermal growth or other process variations. A gage checks a finished workpiece, captures the dimensional data and feeds any deviations outside pre-set limits back through the CNC where the tool or axis are then offset to make up for the deviation. In most shops, this process is manual. An operator checks a machined workpiece using various gages, charts the measurements and then manually enters the offset data into the machine’s CNC. For lower lot sizes and relatively simple parts, this manual process works fine. Higher volumes and complex parts may dictate looking at automating the measurement/compensation loop to mainta
