Abstract
The workpiece setting is an important issue in process planning for 5-axis machine tool. However, in order to know the workpiece setting is proper or not, several NC programs for machining operation have to be prepared for trial-and-error examination to select the most suitable NC program by the trial cutting or the virtual machining simulation. In order to reduce the huge amount of time and effort for this trial-and-error determination method, the most suitable workpiece setting has to be determined first. In this study, the decision method is proposed to predict the machinable space using a virtual machine tool model, virtual cutting tool models, and the Form Shaping Function. In addition, the measure of accessibility of the cutting tool can be visualized. As the result, workpiece setting can be determined in the early stages of process planning.
