A machining path generation device which generates a cutting path upon rough cutting a workpiece by a turning process, and a numerical control device equipped therewith, are provided to shorten the path during rough cutting, and thus reliably shorten the cycle time. The device includes a storage unit which stores information of a cutting start point and a cutting end point of rough cutting; a finishing allowance permitted range setting unit which sets a finishing allowance permitted range for a finishing step; and a cutting path generation unit which generates a cutting path connecting the cutting start point and the cutting end point in a cross-sectional view in a direction along a rotation axis line of the workpiece, the cutting path arranged within the finishing allowance permitted range, and shorter than a path following along a shape line of a product form.

A tool path generation method for generating a second tool path by performing a smoothing process on a first tool path for processing a work with a machine tool includes a change rate calculation step of calculating a curvature change rate of the first tool path at a plurality of moving points (P.sub.n) of the first tool path. The tool path generation method includes: a weight calculation step of calculating a moving average weight on the basis of the curvature change rate of the first tool path at each of the moving points (P.sub.n); and a step of calculating coordinate values of the moving average of the moving points (P.sub.n) using the weight at each of the moving points (P.sub.n), and setting the coordinate values of the moving average of the moving points (P.sub.n) as moving points of the second tool path.

An automated computer-implemented method for generating commands for controlling a computer numerically controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the method including the steps of selecting a maximum permitted engagement angle between a rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, selecting a minimum permitted engagement angle between the rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, and configuring a tool path for the tool relative to the workpiece in which the engagement angle gradually varies between the maximum permitted engagement angle and the minimum permitted engagement angle.

This method for generating a tool path for processing a workpiece is provided with: a step for setting a first reference plane with respect to the workpiece; a step for setting, with respect to the workpiece, a second reference plant which is not parallel to the first reference plane; a step for interpolating, on the basis of the first reference plane and the second reference plane, a plurality of third reference planes, which are not parallel to each other, between the first reference plane and the second reference plane; a step in which partial tool paths for processing the workpiece are generated for each of the plurality of third reference planes on the basis of the corresponding third reference plane; and a step for generating a tool path by sequentially connecting the partial tool paths of the plurality of third reference planes.

A method of toolpath generation is provided whereby the tool may be any smooth convex axisymmetric shape. The tool includes a tool body extending between a shank and a head. The shank is configured to be mounted in a collet which may optionally rotate. In the case of a stylus tool, the head has an axisymmetric forming surface used to press metal. In the case of a routing tool, the head has cutting surfaces which are enveloped by a smooth convex axisymmetric surface and the tool is used for milling a part. In a least one embodiment the tool is a stylus tool which has a forming surface that has been generated from a portion of a clothoid curve.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for computer aided design and manufacture of physical structures using subtractive manufacturing systems and techniques include, in one aspect, a method including: obtaining a toolpath specification for a three dimensional model of geometry of a part to be machined from a workpiece; calculating predicted cutting forces to be applied to the workpiece when machining the part; generating a set of holding tabs for the part based on the predicted cutting forces, wherein each of the holding tabs bridge from the part to the workpiece so as to keep the part fixed, in situ, within the workpiece during the machining, and at least one position of a holding tab from the set is determined in accordance with the predicted cutting forces; and providing the set of holding tabs for use by a computer-controlled manufacturing system.

In various embodiments, a dynamically directed workpiece positioning system may include a transport, a sensor positioned to detect a workpiece on the transport, a cutting member positioned along or downstream of the transport, and a computer system. The sensor may scan the workpiece as the workpiece is moved relative to the transport by a human operator or a positioning device. Based on the scan data, the computer system may generate commands to guide the human operator or positioning device in moving the workpiece to a desired position corresponding to a cut solution for the workpiece. Optionally, the computer system may cause the cutting member to be repositioned while the workpiece is being moved relative to the transport. Once the workpiece is in the desired position, the transport may be used to move the workpiece toward the cutting member. Corresponding methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

A method of manufacturing a panel assembly includes supporting the panel assembly in a free state using a holding fixture. The panel assembly has a skin panel, and sacrificial material coupled to a skin panel inner surface. The method includes acquiring a free state outer surface contour of the panel assembly by scanning a skin panel outer surface while the panel assembly is supported by the holding fixture. The method also includes developing a numerically controlled (NC) machining program having cutter paths configured for machining the interface locations to an inner surface contour that reflects nominal thicknesses of the panel assembly based off of the free state outer surface contour. In addition, the method includes machining the sacrificial material at the interface locations by moving a cutter along the cutter paths while the panel assembly is supported by the holding fixture.

An automated computer-implemented method for generating commands for controlling a computer numerically controlled milling machine to fabricate a machined object from a workpiece, the machined object being configured to facilitate subsequent finishing into a finished object, the method including defining a surface of the finished object, defining an offset surface defining an inner limiting surface of the machined object, defining a scallop surface defining an outer limiting surface of the machined object and calculating a tool path for the milling machine which produces multiple step-up cuts in the workpiece resulting in the machined object, wherein surfaces of the machined object all lie between the inner limiting surface and the outer limiting surface and the number of step-up cuts in the workpiece and the areas cut in each of the step-up cuts are selected to generally minimize the amount of workpiece material that is removed from the workpiece.

A tool path generation method for a bidirectional cutting edge tool, comprising: first obtaining a driving line and an auxiliary driving line of a contour, and discretizing the driving line to obtain tool position driving points; obtaining a tool axis vector according to a rule plane of the driving points and the auxiliary driving line; and then, calculating a tool position point according to geometric dimensions of the tool so as to obtain a tool path of a machining contour of the bidirectional cutting edge tool. The problems of fiber delamination and fluffing, burr generation, and the like of the contour of a machined part can be avoided, and the machining quality of a contour surface is improved, and the low-cost machining of parts can be efficiently achieved.