Minicomputer-based CAD/CAM system for mechanical components of free-form shapes

Abstract

A complete minicomputer-based CAD/CAM system is introduced here. The primary goal of the system is to provide a means of designing and manufacturing mechanical components of free-form shapes. The design module of the system provides a flexible tool for shape description and modification. Various composite tangential algorithms for interpolating data points can be used which are converted to a uniform computer representation based on parametric cubics. Wide range of interactions for local shape modification is available. A CNC option for real-time tool-path generation and some geometric details of roughing and finishing are also presented.