Tool path integration for spray forming processes using a genetic algorithm

Abstract

Spray forming is a new manufacturing process. The automated tool planning for this process is a nontrivial problem, especially for geometry-complicated parts consisting of multiple freeform surfaces. We have developed a tool path planning system which can automatically generate optimized tool plans. This paper focuses on the path integration problem, or how to connect the paths from different surface patches so that the overall path length is minimized. A genetic algorithm is developed to solve the integration problem. Experimental tests are carried out on automotive body parts and the results validate the proposed algorithm