Five-axis Tool Path Generation for Sculptured Surface Machining using Rational Bézier Motions of a Flat-end Cutter

This paper presents an efficient approach that uses rational Bézier motions to generate 5-axis tool path for sculptured surface machining (finish cut) with a flat-end cutter. A method is proposed in which dual quaternion is used to represent a spatial displacement. The representation of kinematic motions for the cutter bottom circle of the flat-end cutter is then formulated. Based on that, a new approach for tool path generation using rational Bézier cutter motions is described, in which key issues such as interference avoidance and surface accuracy requirement are addressed.