Abstract:
An enveloping theory based method for the determination of path
interval in three-axis NC machining of free form surface is
presented, and a practical algorithm and the measures for
improving the calculating efficiency of the algorithm are given.
Not only the given algorithm can be used for ball end cutter,
flat end cutter, torus cutter and drum cutter, but also the
proposed method can be extended to arbitrary milling cutters.
Thus, the problem how to strictly calculate path interval in the
occasion of three-axis NC machining of free form surfaces with
non-ball end cutters has been resolved effectively. On this
basis, the factors that affect path interval are analyzed, and
the methods for optimizing tool path are explored.
Key words: Three-axis Surface machining Path interval Enveloping theory Tool path
optimization
*
This project
is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China and the
Eight-Five Year Plan National Key Projects. Manuscript received on
October 22, 1998; revised manuscript November 12, 1998
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