Abstract:

Generally speaking, “Flying machining” represents synchronization of an axis (slave) with a master axis in motion. A simple example for a ``flying machining'' is a knife that slice rolls of material to length in continuous operation. To cut on the length, the cutting tool have to be accelerated to synchronize with material flow, travel at material speed while the cut is completed, and after cutting, the tool returns to its starting position and it is ready for the next cutting cycle.
Flying machining and processing operations are primarily characterized by the fact that the material or product must be processed or cut while in motion. In other words the main production process is not interrupted, in this way the machine throughput is maximized.
Typical “flying machining and processing” applications include: cutting to length, cutting in two, printing, embossing , gripping and checking moved workpieces, die cutting, sealing and cutting products, etc. When the tool moves linearly, generally the application is called “flying saws”. In this case the tool is typically mounted on a slide that moves either parallel to the product flow or at an angle across it. If the tool moves along a closed trajectory (generally a circular trajectory) the flying process is referred as Rotary Knife or Cross Cutter
This work starts from the cooperation between university and some companies and resumes the experiences done in this field.
This paper describes an unified set of design parameters for flying machining and their influence on the system productivity are discussed.
The main aim of this work is to provide useful guidelines for the synthesis of the tool motion profile, furthermore methodologies for the selection of the drive system will be proposed.