Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A new plunge milling tool path generation method for radial depth control using medial axis transform

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A new plunge milling tool path generation method using medial axis transform is proposed to control the radial depth to improve the cutting efficiency and cutter life. Radial depth have great influences on cutting force and cutter life. Traditional plunge milling tool path generation methods such as zigzag may lead to large radial depth on some cutter locations. It is hard for these methods to judge and adjust the real radial depth. The method proposed in this paper is based on the inscribed circle of the offset contour generated by medial axis transform. Radial depth can be easily controlled in this method. Experiments showed that both the cutting efficiency and the cutter life were improved.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Witty M, Bergs T, Schäfer A, Cabral G (2012) Cutting tool geometry for plunge milling–process optimization for a stainless steel. Procedia CIRP 1:506–511

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Bieterman MB, Sandstrom DR (2003) A curvilinear tool-path method for pocket machining. J Manuf Sci Eng 125(4):709–715

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Ibaraki S, Yamaji I, Matsubara A (2010) On the removal of critical cutting regions by trochoidal grooving. Precis Eng 34(3):467–473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Lauwers B, Lefebvre P (2006) Five-axis rough milling strategies for complex shaped cavities based on morphing technology. CIRP Ann-Adv Electron 55(1):59–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Otkur M, Lazoglu I (2007) Trochoidal milling. Int J Mach Tools Manuf 47(9):1324–1332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Rauch M, Duc E, Hascoet JY (2009) Improving trochoidal tool paths generation and implementation using process constraints modelling. Int J Mach Tools Manuf 49(5):375–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Altintas Y, Ko J (2006) Chatter stability of plunge milling. CIRP Ann-Adv Electron 55(1):361–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Rauch M, Hascoet JY (2012) Selecting a milling strategy with regard to the machine tool capabilities: application to plunge milling. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 59(1-4):47–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Ko JH, Altintas Y (2007) Dynamics and stability of plunge milling operations. J Manuf Sci Eng 129(1):32–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Ko JH, Altintas Y (2007) Time domain model of plunge milling operation. Int J Mach Tools Manuf 47(9):1351–1361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Wakaoka S, Yamane Y, Sekiya K, Narutaki N (2002) High-speed and high-accuracy plunge cutting for vertical walls. J Mater Process Technol 127(2):246–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Tawfik H (2009) A new algorithm to calculate the optimal inclination angle for filling of plunge-milling. Int J CAD/CAM 6(1)

  13. Ren J, Yao C, Zhang D, Xue Y, Liang Y (2009) Research on tool path planning method of four-axis high-efficiency slot plunge milling for open blisk. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 45(1-2):101–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. El-Midany TT, Elkeran A, Tawfik H (2006) Optimal CNC plunger selection and toolpoint generation for roughing sculptured surfaces cavity. J Manuf Sci Eng 128(4):1025–1029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Wenfeng G, Jianzhong F, Zhiwei L, Yuchun L (2010) Tool-path planning based on iso-scallop for plunge milling in pocket walls manufacture. In Mechanic Automation and Control Engineering (MACE). 2010 Int Conf IEEE:3434–3437

  16. Liang Y, Zhang D, Chen ZC, Ren J, Li X (2014) Tool orientation optimization and location determination for four-axis plunge milling of open blisks. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 70(9-12):2249–2261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Han F, Zhang D, Luo M, Wu B (2014) Optimal CNC plunge cutter selection and tool path generation for multi-axis roughing free-form surface impeller channel. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 71(9-12):1801–1810

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Liang Q, Wang YZ (2011) A new rough machining approach for a ruled surface impeller. Appl Mech Mater 79:53–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Cimatron (2013) Cimatron CAD ∖CAM Software. http://www.cimatron.com

  20. Siemens (2013) NX CAD ∖CAM Software. http://siemens.com/nx

  21. Kim H (2007) Tool path modification for optimized pocket milling. Int J Prod Res 45:5715–5729

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Kim HC (2011) Tool path generation and modification for constant cutting forces in direction parallel milling. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 52(9-12):937–947

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Lee HU, Cho D (2003) An intelligent feedrate scheduling based on virtual machining. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 22:873–882

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Skiena S (1998) The Algorithm Design Manual: Text, vol 1. Springer

  25. Ramamurthy R, Farouki RT (1999) Voronoi diagram and medial axis algorithm for planar domains with curved boundaries I. Theoretical foundations. J Comput Appl Math 102(1):119– 141

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  26. Ramamurthy R, Farouki RT (1999) Voronoi diagram and medial axis algorithm for planar domains with curved boundaries II: Detailed algorithm description. J Comput Appl Math 102(2):253–277

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  27. Dey TK, Woo H, Zhao W (2003) Approximate medial axis for CAD models. In Proceedings of the eighth ACM symposium on Solid modeling and applications. ACM:280–285

  28. Elber G, Cohen E, Drake S (2005) Mathsm: medial axis transform toward high speed machining of pockets. CAD Computer Aided Design 37:241–250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Elber G, Lee IK, Kim MS (1997) Comparing offset curve approximation methods. IEEE Comput Graph Appl 17(3):62–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Suresh K (2013) 2-d medial axis computation in matlab. http://www.ersl.wisc.edu/

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Mechanical System and Vibration, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 800 Dong Chuan Rd., Shanghai, 200240, People’s Republic of China

    Chao Sun, YuHan Wang & NuoDi Huang

Authors
  1. Chao Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. YuHan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. NuoDi Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to YuHan Wang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sun, C., Wang, Y. & Huang, N. A new plunge milling tool path generation method for radial depth control using medial axis transform. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 76, 1575–1582 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-014-6375-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-014-6375-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation