Abstract
For the purpose of contributing to the advanced technology of fabricating metal molds and dies with curved surfaces, the computational algorithm has been developed for generating tool paths suitable for high rate machining using the cemented carbide toolings. The software incorporates the high speed algorithm developed by a preceding study of the authors for computing the intersections and checking tool interference among multiple curved surfaces. The prototype CAM system automatically generates the tool paths as the rough cutting tool path, contour line tool path, and scanning tool path which continuously transfer on to the next element surfaces. Cutting tests have been performed by using the prototype CAM system connected to a machining center, and demonstrated the effectiveness of the high speed and high accuracy tool path generation and the real time machining of the curved composite surfaces.
