Tool path generation for machining compound surfaces with extended cut region method

Presented in the paper is a novel tool path generation method for 3-axis NC machining of compound surfaces. Tool path generation procedure consists of two core steps: firstly, the extended cut region (ECR) of every surface is constructed; secondly, CL-curves are computed on every ECR and the final tool paths are achieved by sorting, trimming and connecting the CL-curves. The developed ECR method can solve the gouging problems caused by tangent discontinuity, surface overlap or surface gap among surface elements. The proposed method has been implemented and applied to tool path generation in a general CAM system that has been developed by authors. Our case study has demonstrated the validity of the proposed algorithms.