FIVE-AXIS MACHINING OF FREE-FORM SURFACES CONSTRUCTED BY DUAL KPIGING

The use of 5-axis control machining centers will become more widely accepted in the light of its high efficiency and accuracy. This study deals with the generation of five-axis NC tool paths on the free-form surfaces modeled parametrically by dual Kriging. This interpolation technique presents several advantages, since it permits to obtain piecewise linear and Spline interpolations as particular cases and least square methods as a limit case. The developed algorithm generates machine program (G-code) with cutting locations and the tool direction within a given accuracy. It also prevents any possible collision between the workpiece and the tool. The algorithm is implemented on a standard micro-computer and it is structured to offer a library of NC machining functions for end-users.