The DG/K-Based Approach for Synthesizing of CAM System for Sculptured Surface Machining on Multi-Axis NC Machine

Abstract

Machining time reduction is a critical issue when machining a sculptured surface on multi-axis NC machines. In order to reduce the machining cost the machining time must be the shortest possible. Definitely, this is the case where the sentence “Time is money!” works. Generally speaking, the optimization of surface generation on multi-axis NC machine results in time savings. It is the right point to recall the wise words (John Shebbeare 1709–1788) “gaining time is gaining everything!” An analytical approach that makes it possible the development of the most efficient methods of sculptured surfaces machining on multi-axis NC machine is briefly outlined in this paper. The approach is based on wide application of the powerful methods those developed in Differential Geometry of surfaces, as well as in Kinematics of multi-parametric motion of a rigid body in E3 space. Due to that the approach is commonly referred to as the DG/K-based approach of surface generation. The author began working on the development of the approach in late 1970th–early 1980th.