Title: Optimisation of spiral tool path for five-axis milling of freeform surface blade

Authors: M. Luo, D.H. Zhang, B.H. Wu, Y. Zhang

Addresses: Key Laboratory of Contemporary Design and Integrated Manufacturing Technology (Northwestern Polytechnical University), Ministry of Education, 127 Youyi Xilu, Xi'an 710072, China. ' Key Laboratory of Contemporary Design and Integrated Manufacturing Technology (Northwestern Polytechnical University), Ministry of Education, 127 Youyi Xilu, Xi'an 710072, China. ' Key Laboratory of Contemporary Design and Integrated Manufacturing Technology (Northwestern Polytechnical University), Ministry of Education, 127 Youyi Xilu, Xi'an 710072, China. ' Key Laboratory of Contemporary Design and Integrated Manufacturing Technology (Northwestern Polytechnical University), Ministry of Education, 127 Youyi Xilu, Xi'an 710072, China

Abstract: This paper deals with optimisation of five-axis tool paths in the context of milling of turbine blade. The purpose is to generate tool paths that respecting kinematical performance of machine tool while ensuring the geometrical conformity of the machined part. To achieve this object, outer transverse curves are created at the leading edge and trailing edge of the blade while generating spiral tool path, it allows the machine tool to maintain the programmed feed rate while respecting the kinematical limits of the machine tool. As for the leading and trailing edges of the blade, they are machined along height direction of the blade. Machining experiments showed that machine tool moved smoothly and no overcut or dot marks would occur with the proposed method, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of the presented approach.

Keywords: kinematic performance; spiral tool paths; five-axis machining; 5-axis milling; freeform surfaces; turbine blades; machine tool kinematics; feed rate; outer transverse curves.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2010.036139

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2010 Vol.8 No.3/4, pp.266 - 282

Published online: 22 Oct 2010 *

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