Use of NC kernel data for surface roughness monitoring in milling operations

This work focuses on developing an application based on the information contained in the numerical control (NC) kernel for surface roughness monitoring of the part in process. A human-machine interface (HMI) was developed in order to facilitate the interaction between the operator and the NC kernel with a graphical user interface working in the computer numerically controlled (CNC) screen. Experimentation was carried out in order to obtain the data to be modeled with artificial neural networks for surface roughness average parameter (Ra) predictions. Finally, a compact solution was implemented through global user data (GUD). Data from the HMI and from the kernel are collected in the GUD and analyzed with the artificial neural network. The application provides the surface roughness average parameter of the part in process and gives optimized parameters to the operator. Verification tests were carried out, showing accurate results. The use of the application developed in this research ensures the surface roughness Ra requirement, improves cutting parameters, reduces manual finishing operations and unacceptable parts at the end of the manufacturing process, and provides a solution implemented in the machine tool CNC screen without the need of any other external sensors.