Efficient Calculation of Normal Vector and Multi-axis Machining of Mesh Surfaces

Abstract

When generates the NC codes of the multi-axis machining from the mash surfaces, the problem of the tool swing angle control exist. To solve this problem, the method of tool axis vector generation for the tool position coordinates is studied. Based on the data storage characteristics of the mesh surfaces, the calculation method and data characteristics of the tool position coordinates are analysis. The mechanism of tool swing angle control for multi-axis NC machining of the mash surfaces is researched, and a method that generates the tool axis vector of the tool position coordinates perpendicular to the part is proposed. Retrieve the facet corresponding to the tool position coordinate, and calculate the vertex normal vector of its three vertices. By using the distance weighting between the tool location coordinate and the vertices, the normal vector of the tool position coordinate can be calculated and directly use as the tool axis vector of the multi-axis machining of the mesh surface. Finally, the NC codes of the multi-axis machining from the mash surface can be generated by the computer programming. Using the CLSF functionality in UG, the NC code is imported and simulated. Compared with the three-axis machining, the proposed method is verified. The test result shows that this proposed algorithm can directly generate the tool axis vector for the mesh surfaces and realize the multi-axis NC machining.