A Study on Development of a Process Planning System for 5-axis Controlled Machine Tool

A Determination Method of Effective Tool Postures in 3+2-axis Control Milling

Abstract

5-axis control milling is widely adopted to manufacture valuable parts in such fields as aerospace, automotive and die/mold industries. However, it takes extensive amount of time and efforts to determine the process planning parameters by skilled engineers because the machining process is much complicated. On the other hand, 3+2-axis control milling is often operated for high efficient milling on a 5-axis controlled machine tool. Machining accuracy can be improved and tool trajectory becomes simple in 3+2-axis control milling. However, it is difficult to determine the effective indexing angle automatically. Therefore, a calculation method of machined volume at each indexing angle is proposed. Free-form surfaces are focused on target shapes because it is difficult to recognize machining features. This report deals with a rapid determination method of the effective tool postures based on the machined volume.