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Prospects for using T-splines for the development of the STEP-NC-based manufacturing of freeform surfaces

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Abstract

For successful development of the intelligent manufacturing of freeform surfaces using STEP-CNC with online toolpath generation capability, it is required to make a choice of the optimal representation of a 3D model which will be used for machining. Traditionally, most existing CAD-CAM systems use NURBS to design freeform surfaces and to perform toolpath generation in order to machine them. The introduction of T-splines to CAD systems and some reported results of using them in manufacturing makes it possible to consider T-splines, or more generally T-NURCCs (Non-Uniform Rational Catmull-Clark Surfaces with T-junctions), as a good solution for the development of the STEP-NC-based manufacturing of freeform surfaces because of their advantages over NURBS. Therefore, this paper gives an overview of the main arguments in favor of choosing the T-spline surface representation for integration within STEP-CNC systems. We examine the prospects for T-splines to become an integral part of modern manufacturing systems, and highlight some important properties of T-splines which are the most beneficial for manufacturing processes. The paper presents the results of the development of a complete T-spline-enabled STEP-CNC system which can strategically support online toolpath generation for three-axis ball end machining of simple T-spline surfaces using four different freeform strategies defined in ISO 14649-11. These results represent the implementation of the first stage of the development process of intelligent STEP-CNC systems, and in the future more research is needed in this direction.

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate BECKHOFF China for their kind support of the open-architecture TwinCAT-CNC platform. Special Program of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering & Automation, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, China

    Gang Zhao, Oleksandr Zavalnyi, Yazui Liu & Wenlei Xiao

  2. MIIT Key Laboratory of Aeronautics Intelligent Manufacturing, Beihang University, 100191, Beijing, China

    Gang Zhao & Wenlei Xiao

Authors
  1. Gang Zhao
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  2. Oleksandr Zavalnyi
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  3. Yazui Liu
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  4. Wenlei Xiao
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Correspondence to Wenlei Xiao.

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Zhao, G., Zavalnyi, O., Liu, Y. et al. Prospects for using T-splines for the development of the STEP-NC-based manufacturing of freeform surfaces. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 102, 1–16 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-018-3182-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-018-3182-4

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