Development of Post Processor for Five-Axis Machine of Non-Orthogonal Head Tilting Type

Abstract

A five-axis machine can be developed with various mechanisms as it simply adds two axes to three coordinate axes. Therefore, five-axis machining utilizes post-processor for conversion to NC code, which the five-axis machine can read, with tool path CL data created by CAM depending on the mechanism of each device. This study introduces a post-processor program that tilts from axis B, of which the head is inclined at about 45 degrees, moves straight toward the X and Z axes, rotates the table from C, and then moves along axis Y. The post-processor mechanism was applied to the program after calculating the rotation angles and tilting angles using inverse kinematics and mapping the part coordinate system by machine coordinate system. Then, to evaluate the established post processor formula, it was verified twice. First, a tool path that was identical to that created by a commercial post-processor program, Post Works, was post-processed and comparably reviewed to, verify the performance of the proposed method. Secondly, a test specimen was manufactured by creating NC data from the developed post processor program. After manufacturing the test specimen, the compatibility was verified, suggesting the possibility to commercialize the five-axis machine and the post -processor program.