A path generation method for sculptured surface manufacture

Abstract

This paper describes a new path generation algorithm. When given a mathematical surface description and accuray tolerance, the algorithm approximates the surface representation by a sequence of straight line segments for graphical displays and linear cutter paths for surface manufacturing on computer-integrated numerical control (CNC) machines with five or more axes. This path generation method is generally applicable to sculptured surface manufacturing where multi-axis milling machines are necessary to produce smooth three-dimensional surfaces. © 1988.