Title: Removed material volume calculations in CNC milling by exploiting CAD functionality

Authors: Panorios Benardos; George-Christopher Vosniakos

Addresses: Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Nottingham, UK, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK ' School of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Greece, Heroon Polytehneiou 9, 15780 Athens, Greece

Abstract: Material removal volume calculations in machining processes are important in a variety of milling simulation applications, including material removal rate estimation and machining force calculation. In this paper two different approaches are presented to this end, i.e., Z-maps and Boolean operations with solid models. The Z-map method is simple but results in large files and needs sophisticated routines to render acceptable accuracy. Boolean operations between accurate solid models of the tool and the workpiece are implemented on readily available CAD system application programming interface. Besides the computational load which is bound to the accuracy level, it requires a sufficient number of interpolated points through one revolution of the tool to be trustworthy. It is practical to use at particular points of interest along the toolpath.

Keywords: material volume; milling; Z-map; solid model; toolpath; computer-numerical control.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAET.2018.094343

International Journal of Computer Aided Engineering and Technology, 2018 Vol.10 No.5, pp.491 - 503

Received: 17 Sep 2016
Accepted: 14 Dec 2016
Published online: 30 Aug 2018 *

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