Abstract
This paper presents a post-processing algorithm for 5-axis machines with three rotary axes (3R-2L type). 5-axis machining needs the postprocessor for converting cutter location (CL) data to machine control (NC) data. The existing methods for post-processing use inverse kinematics equations from for-ward kinematics. However in case of 5-axis machines with three rotary axes, the inverse kinematics equations are not induced directly since the forward kinematics equations are non-linear. In order to get the joint values from the forward kinematics equations, previous algorithms use numerical method for the post-processing, which needs searching algorithms with computation time and may result in fail. This paper proposes a geometric method for the post-processing of 3 rotary type 5-axis machines. Our algorithm has three advantages: first, it does not need establishing forward kinematics equations. Second, it is reliable method that eliminates any numerical methods for the inverse kinematics, resulting in the exact solution. Finally, the proposed algorithm can also be applied to 2R-3L type of 5-axis machines.
