Title: Numerical interpolators to maintain discretisation step under constant minimum chord error for spiral-type surfaces

Authors: N.A. Fountas; P. Zalimidis; N.M. Vaxevanidis

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering Educators, School of Pedagogical and Technological Education (ASPETE), Laboratory of Manufacturing Processes and Machine Tools (LMProMaT), N. Heraklion, Athens, Greece ' Department of Mechanical Engineering Educators, School of Pedagogical and Technological Education (ASPETE), Laboratory of Manufacturing Processes and Machine Tools (LMProMaT), N. Heraklion, Athens, Greece ' Department of Mechanical Engineering Educators, School of Pedagogical and Technological Education (ASPETE), Laboratory of Manufacturing Processes and Machine Tools (LMProMaT), N. Heraklion, Athens, Greece

Abstract: This paper proposes a simple philosophy of machining 2D spiral-type sculptured surfaces by analysing a given mathematical expression which describes such surfaces and then generating a shape interpolator via the implementation of already known numerical techniques for CNC machining such as linear and circular approximation. An algorithm discretises the ideal curve of a given surface so as to maintain the lowest possible value in terms of chordal deviation existed between the theoretical curve and the real tool path trajectory. The algorithm is applied to 2D geometries only and is going to be developed in the near future. Nevertheless, experiments conducted in CAM software simulations to approximate the curve of a centrifugal impeller's blade as a paradigm for three axis machining, have show promising directions for building an entire software-based optimisation system integrated to cutting edge manufacturing systems.

Keywords: spiral-type surface machining; sculptured surfaces; CNC programming; interpolation; discretisation step; chord error; CAM systems; centrifugal impellers; impeller blades; three axis machining.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2015.069226

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2015 Vol.17 No.1, pp.49 - 64

Received: 17 Mar 2014
Accepted: 29 Oct 2014
Published online: 05 May 2015 *

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