Minimizing airtime by optimizing tool path in computer numerical control machine tools with application of A* and genetic algorithms

Abstract

Research on tool path planning has been limited to minimize airtime by optimizing tool travel path in one machining plane without obstacles. To address this limitation, a method for tool path optimization that exploits A* and genetic algorithms to find the near-optimal safe cutting tool travel path between each drilling hole location by avoiding the nonmachinable areas is proposed. A series of experiments performed shows an average overall improvement of 38.8% over the cutting tool travel distance value obtained from traditional tool path method.