The present invention relates to a method for generating a tool path (20; 82) for an application tool (12) for additive manufacturing, in particular for additive manufacturing using buildup welding, of a substantially rotationally symmetric workpiece (28; 328), comprising the following steps: a) providing cross-sectional contour data describing at least a portion of a cross-sectional contour (42; 342; 442; 542) of the workpiece (28; 328); b) providing axis data describing a rotation axis (R) of the rotationally symmetric workpiece (28; 328); c) generating a continuous cross-sectional path (54; 354; 355; 454; 554), taking into account the cross-sectional contour data, the cross-sectional path (54; 354; 355; 454; 554) being inscribed in the portion of the cross-sectional contour (42; 342; 442; 542); d) generating the tool path (20; 82) with a helical or/and spiral course revolving around the rotation axis (R), wherein the tool path (20; 82) intersects the cross-sectional path (54; 354; 355; 454; 554), preferably with each revolution around the rotation axis (R).

A computer-implemented method for generating a continuous helical tool path for forming a part having a plurality of central axes is provided. The method includes performing a tool path algorithm modeling and a tool path algorithm execution using a computer system. The tool path algorithm modeling includes defining a starting point location within a computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model, defining a vector, defining a helix, defining a sweeping surface three-dimensional geometry element, and generating an intersection curve from tracing a continuous curved line of an intersection between the sweeping surface geometry element and the part geometry model. The tool path algorithm execution includes defining data for a forming tool stylus, selecting the intersection curve as a guiding element for the forming tool stylus, and generating the continuous helical tool path for the forming tool stylus. The continuous helical tool path includes a forming tool stylus centerline path in graphical space.

A computer-implemented method for generating a continuous helical tool path for forming a part having a plurality of central axes is provided. The method includes performing a tool path algorithm modeling and a tool path algorithm execution using a computer system. The tool path algorithm modeling includes defining a starting point location within a computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model, defining a vector, defining a helix, defining a sweeping surface three-dimensional geometry element, and generating an intersection curve from tracing a continuous curved line of an intersection between the sweeping surface geometry element and the part geometry model. The tool path algorithm execution includes defining data for a forming tool stylus, selecting the intersection curve as a guiding element for the forming tool stylus, and generating the continuous helical tool path for the forming tool stylus. The continuous helical tool path includes a forming tool stylus centerline path in graphical space.