Abstract
As a conventional method, a numerical control inputs a large amount of NC data from CAM system, and interpolates it in order to machine sculptured surfaces. Recently, NCs with the function of NURBS interpolation have been developed. It seems that some problems are resolved using the technology. However, it is said that both methods have some essential problems, so it is hard for NC to transact these problems to machine sculptured surfaces with high quality. This paper discusses these problems from the viewpoint of relation between CAM and NC. Then, a numerical control with the function of surface driven interpolation is proposed as an ideal system. The conceptual idea, the implementation method and the prototype are introduced. Then, it is shown that the evolution to NC with surface driven interpolation will come true after NURBS-NC.
