Title: Multi-axis tool path generation for surface finish machining of a rapid manufacturing process

Authors: Jomy Francis; Todd E. Sparks; Jianzhong Ruan; Frank Liou

Addresses: Missouri University of Science and Technology292B Toomey Hall, 400 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0050, USA ' Missouri University of Science and Technology292B Toomey Hall, 400 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0050, USA ' Missouri University of Science and Technology292B Toomey Hall, 400 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0050, USA ' Missouri University of Science and Technology292B Toomey Hall, 400 West 13th Street, Rolla, MO 65409-0050, USA

Abstract: This paper proposes a completely automated, integrated tool path planning for the finish machining of freeform surfaces as a part of the hybrid metal additive manufacturing and CNC machining. This planning capability spans from a generation of b-spline freeform surfaces, to surface finish optimisation, to collision detection, to tool path generation. Two scallop height methods have been used to compare the optimal tool path strategy. Both collision detection of a tool with neighbouring surfaces and collision correction for a tool are solved using a novel extension of the bounding box, which uses body diagonal points for computation. This paper proposes a multiple screening technique to improve the computational efficiency of tool path generation calculations.

Keywords: freeform surfaces; multi-axis machining; collision detection; collision correction; bounding box; multi-axis tool paths; tool path generation; surface finish; rapid manufacturing; tool path planning; finish machining; hybrid metal additive manufacturing; CNC machining; scallop height.

DOI: 10.1504/IJRAPIDM.2014.062040

International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing, 2014 Vol.4 No.1, pp.66 - 80

Received: 03 Apr 2014
Accepted: 03 Apr 2014
Published online: 23 Oct 2014 *

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