Reconfigurable Computing for Tool-Path Computation

Abstract

Tool-path generation is one of the most complex problems in computer-aided manufacturing. Although some efficient strategies have been developed to solve it, most of them are only useful for 3- and 5-axis standard machining. The algorithm called virtual digitising computes the tool path by means of a “virtually digitised” model of the surface and a geometry specification of the tool and its motion, so it can be used even in non-standard machining (retrofitting). This algorithm is simple, robust, and avoids the problem of tool-surface collision. However, its computing cost is high. Presented in the paper there is a virtual digitising optimisation that takes advantage of reconfigurable computing (using field programmable gates arrays) in order to improve the algorithm speed. A comparative study will show the gain and precision achieved.