Machinability and set-up orientation for five-axis numerically controlled machining of free surfaces

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the problems of determining machinability and part set-up orientation for a given surface model. We first develop kinematic models of the five-axis machines, based on the axis configuration, then develop algorithms for determining the feasibility of one-set-up machining (machinability) and the part orientation for types C-A and A-B tool configurations. Machinability is determined by a computationally efficient procedure for finding the intersection of the feasible tool motion on the sphere and a visibility map which we call the binary spherical map (BSM). The part setup is so chosen as to give the smallest rotational range among all feasible configurations The algorithms developed have been tested via numerical simulations. The results show that they can be readily implemented in a CAD/CAM system, as an automated process planner selecting the efficient machine type and part set-up for NC machining.