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Tool Path Generation Using C-Space for 5-Axis Control Machining

Koichi MORISHIGE, Kiwamu KASE and Yoshimi TAKEUCHI

The Proceedings of 1997 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, MED-Vol.2, pp.333-340.
(Dallas,Texas,U.S.A.,November 16-21,1997)

Transactions of The ASME, Journal of Manufacturaing Science and Engineering, Vol.121, No.1, pp.144-149 (February 1999)

The paper deals with the method of tool path generation for 5-axis machining using a ball end mill. 5-axis machining has been used for aircraft parts as well as for complicated shapes such as molds and dies. However, most of the present CAM systems for 5-axis machining have limited functions in terms of tool collision, workpiece shapes and machining methods. For that reason, in many cases the optimal cutter location (CL) data cannot be obtained or considerable time is consumed. To solve this problem, we have applied a 3-dimensional configuration space (C-Space) and showed the relationship between all tool positions and postures and the existence of tool collision. The method of tool path generation devised in the study enables users to generate CL data reflecting their own machining strategy such as smooth change in tool posture and the state of machining without considering the gouging. The validity of this method was experimentally confirmed by successfully milling an impeller without tool collision occurring.

Five-axis impeller machining Machined impeller shape


IMS Lab. http://www.ims.mce.uec.ac.jp/

1997, by K.Morishige