Tool Path Generation for Five-Axis Controlled Machining of Free-Form Surface Using Barrel Tool: Control of Contact Point on Cutting Edge

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to improve the efficiency of free-form surface machining by using a five-axis controlled machine tool and a barrel tool. The barrel tool has cutting edges, with curvature smaller than the radius, increasing the pick feed width compared with a conventional ball end mill of the same tool radius. As a result, the machining efficiency can be improved; however, the cost of the barrel tool is high and difficult to reground. In this study, a method to obtain the cutting points that make the cusp height below the target value is proposed. Moreover, a method to improve the tool life by continuously and uniformly changing the contact point on the cutting edge is proposed. The usefulness of the developed method is confirmed through machining simulations.