Feature-composition approach to planning and machining of generic virtual pockets

Abstract

In this paper, a feature-composition methodology is proposed for the planning and machining of generic virtual pockets encountered in feature-based design and manufacturing systems. Techniques of merging removal volumes and automatic tool selection to improve the machining efficiency are presented. The machining volumes are first identified in terms of basic removal volumes, which are then merged under various constraints. Cutter selection and tool path generation are optimized under the local geometric constraint, global geometric constraint, residual material constraint, and machining accessibility constraint. Merging appropriate removal volumes and assigning the optimal cutters can generate an efficient tool path and can reduce the total machining time for generic virtual pocket machining. The proposed methodology can be used to support the planning and machining functions in the feature-based design and manufacturing systems. Computer implementation and practical examples are also presented in this paper.