9713985 Yang This award is aimed to develop an iso-phote based methodology for tool path generation. Based on this methodology, interference-free tool path generation algorithms will be developed utilizing part geometric features. These algorithms will be evaluated and experimentally tested in the generation of tool paths for 3axis machining of composite surfaces and 5-axis flank machining of free-form surfaces. Comparisons will be made with existing tool-path generation algorithms including those based on iso-parametric machining, iso-planner machining, and constant scallop-height machining. The iso-phote based tool-path generation methodology is a new approach that is worth exploring. It could potentially offer significant advantages over other approaches used by the existing CAD/CAM systems for machining of complex parts with free-form and composite surfaces.
