Analytical curvature-continuous dual-Bézier corner transition for five-axis linear tool path

Abstract

A novel analytical five-axis path-smoothing algorithm is developed for the high speed machining of a linear five-axis tool path. Segment junctions of the linear tool path in the machine tool coordinate system, which are tangent-discontinuous points, are all blended by two transition cubic Bézier curves. One cubic Bézier curve is used to smooth the segment junction of the translational path, and the other Bézier curve is used to smooth the segment junction of the rotational path. The tangency and curvature continuities are both guaranteed in the new path. The dual-Bézier transition algorithm has three advantages: (1) Compared with the path-smoothing method in the workpiece coordinate system, the new dual-Bézier transition method directly and simultaneously smooths the machine tool axis trajectories of both translational path and rotational path. The feed speed and stability will both be improved because the tool path discontinuities are the most important source of feed fluctuation. (2) The constraints of approximation error and the synchronization of parametrization of two smoothed curves, which are the most challenging problems in the smoothing of 5-axis tool path, are both considered. (3) The transition cubic Bézier curve pair has an analytical solution and can be easily integrated in the real-time interpolator. Computational examples and the cutting experiment of an impeller blade show that the novel path-smoothing method has obvious advantages in both feed smoothness and cutting efficiency over the original linear interpolator.