FEM-Mill: The Next Generation Virtual Machining Software: ?FEM and AI? in reshaping CAD/CAM Technology

The rigid body motion of flexible parts and deformations induced during milling are the main root causes of part errors and are governed mainly from the choice of process parameters. Therefore, to avoid failures and achieve better results it becomes necessary to judge the validity of a given process plan before performing the actual cut. This book describes a state of the art milling process plan verification and optimization system called FEM-Mill. The main novelties of FEM-Mill lies in its two important computational modules namely; (i) the FEM based 3D transient milling simulation environment, and (ii) The expert system for diagnosis and rectification of part error causes. The applicability of AI techniques like ANN and GA in predicting cutting loads and optimal selection of process parameters are also demonstrated. The outcomes of experimental validations are presented in detail. This book gives insight into the development of next generation CAD/CAM technology using the emerging numerical techniques like FEM and AI. FEM-Mill will be of interest to software developers, researchers and engineers involved in process planning, fixture design and CAD/CAM software development.