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An image detection approach to NC rough-cut milling from solid models
This paper presents a method of converting information from a CAD solid model into a form suitable for CAM operation. The rough machining of a cavity into a block is used to illustrate the working of the system. This example was chosen because the machining of cavities presents difficulties as outli...
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Published in: | International journal of machine tools & manufacture 1996-12, Vol.36 (12), p.1321-1333 |
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Main Authors: | , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | This paper presents a method of converting information from a CAD solid model into a form suitable for CAM operation. The rough machining of a cavity into a block is used to illustrate the working of the system. This example was chosen because the machining of cavities presents difficulties as outlined below and rough machining involves the removal of more material than finish machining and therefore is of more economic significance in a production process. A three-axis NC miller is used to cut the cavity which has depth, requiring material to be removed in layers. A computer-based image detection method is used for cutter-path generation and models that contain planar surfaces, general quadratic surfaces, B-spline surfaces and compound surfaces can be treated. The B-rep solid object is transformed into an image as a grid-height model, allowing a three-dimensional object to be approximated by a two-dimensional spatial array. The cutter location (CL) data file is automatically generated from this spatial array. The height change of stock material in each grid is recorded in a two-dimensional array during the machining process and is utilized as an image for further roughing and verification. Efficient machining procedures are obtained by an analysis of cutting simulation, utilizing large cutter sizes for simple shaped portions in the first stage of roughing and then using small cutter sizes for complex portions and to remove uncut material left by the large cutters in a fine roughing operation. This approach allows a three-dimensional cutter path problem to be reduced to one of two dimensions which is solved by image detection of cutting attributes. |
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ISSN: | 0890-6955 1879-2170 |
DOI: | 10.1016/S0890-6955(96)00028-4 |