Tool Path Planning Using Angle-Based Flattening for Mesh Surfaces Machining

Aiming at the problem of existing mapping stretch distortion during mesh parameterization-based tool path planning, a method introducing mapping stretch coefficients for tool path generation on meshes is presented. Mesh surface is parameterized firstly by angle-based flattening algorithm, then mapping stretch coefficients and gradients are calculated per triangle according to mapping distortion analysis, based on which spatial path parameters are converted to the parametric domain. Direction parallel tool path and contour parallel tool path are generated based on path parameters in the parametric domain. Finally, the results of simulation and experiment with a human face model are given to illustrate the feasibility and applicability of the proposed method.