CASCAM - AN AUTOMATED-SYSTEM FOR SCULPTURED SURFACE CAVITY MACHINING

A systematic procedure that automatically generates machining processes for sculptured surface cavity machining is presented. The work proposed here includes the evaluation of machining information, decision for machining process strategy, automatic cutter selection, and cutter path generation. Machining information is first evaluated by considering the cavity geometric shape, removal volume, and constraints of machining. A decision on the process strategy is determined based on the machining information evaluated. Then the procedures of machining the cavity are decided. The cutter selection is automatically determined by considering geometric constraints, the maximum material removal rate in the roughing process and the minimum cutter movement with the required accuracy in the finishing process. The roughing process is approached by some arbitrary-shape pocketing procedures combined with islands on the cutting planes. Cutter movements and cutter selection are optimized by considering the global information of machining conditions on adjacent cutting planes. A system called CASCAM has been developed to prove the feasibility of the proposed concept.