| Production efficiency has increased considerably due to the use of computer-numerical controlled (CNC) machines. To machine a component on a CNC machine, part programs which define the cutting tool path are needed. This tool path is usually planned from computer-aided design (CAD) drawings, and converted to a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) machine input format. However, several production bottlenecks are encountered in this transformation process, leading to escalated production costs and time. This problem can be attributed to two major causes. The first issue is the mode by which the CAD data is converted into CAM data and the second one is the efficiency or optimality of the physical process itself in producing an error-free machined surface.;Considering these drawbacks, an automatic tool path generating system to machine 2 1/2 dimensional arbitrarily shaped convex pockets was developed, in which tool path planning is done without the aid of CAD modellers or data exchange formats. This proposed methodology generates a spiral-like tool path by dynamically computing optimal offsets of the pocket boundary contour based on the type and size of the milling cutter, the geometry of the pocket contour and surface finish tolerance requirements.;This part programming system is PC based and simultaneously generates a G-code file, a verification file for simulating the generated tool path on a CAD package and a result file for research purposes. |
