“MEDIAL MACHINING” A NEW PARADIGM IN GEOMETRICALLY COMPLEX SURFACES MACHINING

 

Andrei-Petre SEBE, Constantin MINCIU, Dumitru CATRINA

 View full text

 

Abstract: The paper presents a new approach in the generation of geometrically complex surfaces called Medial Machining. This is a new, complex, rational and high productivity way to machine surfaces during which the center of the real-tool moves on medial tool paths. The medial tool paths are curves equidistant to the associated medial surface and to the model surface.  The existing contour machining  being only a three-dimensional transposition of the bi-dimensional contouring without observing the additional features offered by the three-dimensionality become thus a particular case of the new paradigm. Several new concepts are being introduced such as medial machining, virtual tool, side and center-medial tool paths. The new concepts are derived from milling but can be applied to any other type of  machining using cutting tools. A  particular case of the medial machining is expected to offer unprecedented productivity and quality of the machined surface.

 

Key words: virtual tool, medial surface, geometric complexity, NC machines, NURBS, subdivision.