An Algorithm for Constant Scallop-Height Tool Path Generation for Triangular Mesh Surface Machining

Aiming at the problem of longer tool path length and non-uniform scallop-height in section method for triangular mesh surface machining,an improved section-based algorithm for constant scallop-height tool path generation is proposed.Projected traces of cutter contacts are first computed according to curvature radiuses in the perpendicular directions of cutter contact traces,and the projected traces are adjusted in order to remove redundant projected points.Driving surfaces are constructed by the adjusted projected traces and cutter contact traces are calculated iteratively by intersecting the driving surfaces with mesh surface.Finally interference-free tool paths are obtained from the cutter contact traces.The tool paths are generated by using the proposed algorithm and the section method respectively.Experimental result indicates that the tool path length is shorter and the scallop-height keeps uniform in the proposed algorithm,so it is effective for finish machining of complex surface which is represented by triangular meshes.