• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Machine Tool Engineers Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.439-444
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• 2004

A new efficient intelligent machining strategy named the Steepest Directed Tree method is presented in this study, which makes surface model discrete with triangulation meshes and the cutter paths track along the tree directions. In order to formulate these algorithms practically, it is deduced the multi-stage machining approach of uncut volume caused by cutter gouging in the course of milling using flat end mill. It is systematized the checking process the cutter interference by grouping the 6 kinds of gouging types, which yields the environment of connectivity data lists including CL-data, and then the multi-stage machining strategy, that minimizes uncut area by continuously sequencing the generative subsequent CL-paths, is shamed to determine the second tool path for the next uncut area and to compose the operating multi-stage cutting processes. The completed machining system of curved surfaces is evaluated by testing the practical machining experiments which have various kinds of shape conditions.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.2089-2104
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• 1995

A novel and efficient cutter path planning method for machining intricately shaped curved surfaces, called the steepest directed tree method, is presented. The curved surface is defined by triangular facets, the density and structure of which are determined by the intricacy and form accuracy of the surface. Geometrical form definition and recognition of the topological features are used to connect the nodes of the triangulated surface meshes for the successive and interconnected steepest pathways, which makes good use of end milling characteristics. The planetary cutter centers are determined to locate along smoothly changing paths and then the height values of the cutter are adjusted to avoid surface interference. Several machined examples of intersecting and intricate surfaces are presented to illustrate the benefits of the new approach. It is shown that due to more consistent geometry matching between cutter and surface(in comparison with the current CC Cartesian method) surface finish can be typically improved. Moreover, the material in concave fillets which is difficult to be removed by ball mills can be removed efficiently. The built-in positioning of cutter to avoid interference runs minutely in the sharp and discontinuous regions. The steepest upward movement of the cutter gives a stable dynamic cutting state and allows increase in the feedrate and spindle speed while remaining the stable cutting state.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.251-259
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• 2010

It is presented in this study a new efficient intelligent machining strategy, which can be used to remove the uncut volume at the boundary region of curved surfaces caused by cutter interference. The geometric form definitions and recognition of topological features of the surface triangulation mesh are used to generate cutter paths along successive and interconnected steepest pathways, that minimize the cusp height left after flat end milling. In order to machine the uncut volume gradually, the z-map cutter centers are adjusted to avoid cutter interference for the 6 kinds of avoidance types. And then, the generative subsequent paths are sequenced to determine the second step cutter paths for the next uncut volume. For the 2 kinds of test models with convex and concave surface region, the implemented software algorithm is evaluated by investigating the residual swelling of uncut volume for each machining step.