Generating efficient tool paths from point cloud data via machining area segmentation

This paper presents a method of generating efficient three-axis ball-end milling tool paths directly from point cloud data. The primary objective is to achieve high efficiency in the machining of free-form surface geometry having isolated complex machining area. The high machining efficiency is attained by segmenting the entire machining domain into distinct areas according to the geometric complexity of the data points and by using cutters of different sizes for the segmented machining areas. An iterative numerical procedure is derived to determine the critical complexity that separates the data points with higher complexity (the complex points) from those with lower complexity (the non-complex points). A larger and more efficient ball-end mill is used to machine the area defined by the non-complex points. The gouging condition of all the data points is then evaluated with respect to the given ball-end mill. The isolated complex machining area is established by enclosing both the complex points and the gouge points. The smaller and gouge-free ball-end mill for the isolated complex machining area is subsequently selected from the standard commercial cutter series. Implementation of the presented method clearly demonstrates the high efficiency of the generated tool paths.

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