Study on Computer-Aided Process Planning of Mold Part Machining

Abstract

In this paper, an algorithm for projecting the machining remained area in a prior machining to the cutter location surface for the next machining is proposed. This projection is useful for automating some process planning task of mold machining, such as the determination of the milling region in the following machining operations. In our proposed algorithm, the milling simulation and the inverse offsetting of the result shape of the simulation is required. Most milling simulation programs use discrete Z-map models for representing the workpiece shape. In this paper, an algorithm for inverse offsetting the Z-map model is discussed. Our algorithm computes dense zig-zag curves covering the Z-map model, then it generates the swept volume of the inversed cutter moving along the curves to obtain their Minkowski sum shape. Proposed algorithm is implemented and an experimental process planning assistance program using this technology is demonstrated.