Modeling of virtual workpiece with machining errors representation in turning

Virtual manufacturing (VM) is one of the research focuses in manufacturing at present. By analyzing and modeling the forming process of workpiece and the error sources contributing to machining precision of workpiece in turning operation, the cutter trajectory and attitude representation (CTA_Rep) is presented to characterize the geometric errors of machined workpiece in VM. Then a surface topography simulation model is established to simulate the surface finish profile generated after a turning operation. This representation is implemented in the Virtual Machining and Measuring Cell (VMMC) developed by the authors to represent and predict the geometric errors of workpiece. Satisfactory results are obtained.