ARC PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD USING THE SAME

Abstract

An arc processing method is provided. Firstly, a machining program code is provided, wherein the machining program code includes a control code for machining an arc having a start point and an end point. Then, the machining program code is analyzed to obtain a first start point vector and a first end point vector, both defined by a first coordinate system, of a tool. Then, the first start point vector is converted to a second start point vector defined by a second coordinate system. Then, the first end point vector is converted to a second end point vector defined by the second coordinate system. Then, a plurality of first interpolation vectors of interpolation points, defined by the second coordinate system and interposed between the second start point vector and the second end point vector, are obtained. Then, all the first interpolation vectors are converted into corresponding second interpolation vectors.

Claims

1. An arc processing method configured to obtain an interpolation vector according to a machining program code comprising a control code for machining an arc using a tool having a start point and an end point, wherein the arc processing method comprises: analyzing the machining program code to obtain a first start point vector of a start point tool gesture at a start point of the tool and a first end point vector of an end point tool gesture at an end point of the tool, wherein the first start point vector and the first end point vector are defined by a first coordinate system; converting the first start point vector to a second start point vector defined by a second coordinate system, wherein the second coordinate system has a first coordinate axis and a second coordinate axis, and the arc is located on a plane formed by the first coordinate axis and the second coordinate axis; converting the first end point vector to a second end point vector defined by the second coordinate system; obtaining a plurality of first interpolation vectors of interpolation points between the second start point vector and the second end point vector, wherein the first interpolation vectors are defined by the second coordinate system; and converting the first interpolation vectors to a plurality of second interpolation vectors defined by the first coordinate system.

2. The arc processing method according to claim 1, wherein the step of analyzing the machining program code further comprises: obtaining a tilt angle and a rotation angle of the tool from the machining program code; and obtaining the first start point vector of the tool gesture according to the tilt angle and the rotation angle.

3. The arc processing method according to claim 1, wherein the step of analyzing the machining program code further comprises: obtaining a tilt angle and a rotation angle of the tool from the machining program code; and obtaining the first end point vector of the tool gesture by the forward kinematic theory according to the tilt angle and the rotation angle.

4. The arc processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: analyzing the machining program code to obtain a circle center coordinate of a circle center of the arc and a start point coordinate of the start point; the step of converting the first start point vector to a second start point vector further comprises: obtaining a start point coordinate transformation matrix according to the circle center coordinate and the start point coordinate; and calculating a dot product of the first start point vector and the start point coordinate transformation matrix to obtain the second start point vector.

5. The arc processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: analyzing the machining program code to obtain a circle center coordinate of the arc and an end point coordinate of the end point; the step of converting the first end point vector to a second end point vector further comprises: obtaining an end point coordinate transformation matrix according to the circle center coordinate and the end point coordinate; and calculating a dot product of the first end point vector and the end point coordinate transformation matrix to obtain the second end point vector.

6. The arc processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: analyzing the machining program code to obtain a total central angle, formed by the start point and the end point with respect to a circle center of the arc, and a tool gesture total angle; the step of obtaining the first interpolation vectors of interpolation points between the second start point vector and the second end point vector further comprises: setting a plurality of interpolation point central angles formed by the start point of the arc and the interpolation points with respect to the circle center; obtaining a corresponding tool gesture interpolation point angle of each interpolation point central angle according to the total central angle, the tool gesture total angle and the interpolation point central angles; and obtaining the corresponding first interpolation vector of each tool gesture interpolation point angle by the plane circular interpolation method according to the second start point vector, the second end point vector, the tool gesture total angle and the tool gesture interpolation point angle.

7. The arc processing method according to claim 6, wherein in the step of obtaining the tool gesture interpolation point angle, the ratio of each tool gesture interpolation point angle to the tool gesture total angle is equivalent to the ratio of the corresponding interpolation point central angle to the total central angle.

8. The arc processing method according to claim 1, wherein the first coordinate system is a Cartesian coordinate system, the second coordinate system is a circumferential coordinate system, the first coordinate axis is a radial coordinate axis of the circumferential coordinate system, and the second coordinate axis is a tangent direction coordinate axis of the circumferential coordinate system.

9. An arc processing device, comprising: a machining code analyzer configured to: analyze the machining program code to obtain a first start point vector of a start point tool gesture at a start point of the tool and a first end point vector of an end point tool gesture at an end point of the tool, wherein the first start point vector and the first end point vector are defined by a first coordinate system; a coordinate converter configured to: convert the first start point vector to a second start point vector defined by a second coordinate system, wherein the second coordinate system has a first coordinate axis and a second coordinate axis, and the arc is located on a plane formed by the first coordinate axis and the second coordinate axis; and convert the first end point vector to a second end point vector defined by the second coordinate system; and an interpolation vector obtainer configured to: obtain a plurality of first interpolation vectors of interpolation points between the second start point vector and the second end point vector, wherein the first interpolation vectors are defined by the second coordinate system; wherein, the coordinate converter is further configured to convert the first interpolation vectors into a plurality of second interpolation vectors defined by the first coordinate system.

10. The arc processing device according to claim 9, wherein the machining code analyzer is further configured to: obtain a tilt angle and a rotation angle of the tool from the machining program code; and obtain the first start point vector of the tool gesture by the forward kinematic theory according to the tilt angle and the rotation angle.

11. The arc processing device according to claim 9, wherein the machining code analyzer is further configured to: obtain a tilt angle and a rotation angle of the tool from the machining program code; and obtain the first end point vector of the tool gesture by the forward kinematic theory according to the tilt angle and the rotation angle.

12. The arc processing device according to claim 9, wherein the machining code analyzer is further configured to analyze the machining program code to obtain a circle center coordinate of a circle center of the arc and a start point coordinate of the start point; in the step of converting the first start point vector to a second start point vector, the coordinate converter is further configured to: obtain a start point coordinate transformation matrix according to the circle center coordinate and the start point coordinate; and calculate a dot product of the first start point vector and the start point coordinate transformation matrix to obtain the second start point vector.

13. The arc processing device according to claim 9, wherein the machining code analyzer is further configured to analyze the machining program code to obtain a circle center coordinate of the arc and an end point coordinate of the end point; in the step of converting the first end point vector to a second end point vector, the coordinate converter is further configured to: obtain an end point coordinate transformation matrix according to the circle center coordinate and the end point coordinate; and calculate a dot product of the first end point vector and the end point coordinate transformation matrix to obtain the second end point vector.

14. The arc processing device according to claim 9, wherein the machining code analyzer is further configured to analyze the machining program code to obtain a total central angle, formed by the start point and the end point with respect to a circle center of the arc, and a tool gesture total angle; in the step of obtain the first interpolation vectors of interpolation points between the second start point vector and the second end point vector, the interpolation vector obtainer is further configured to: set a plurality of interpolation point central angles formed by the start point of the arc and the interpolation points with respect to the circle center; obtain a corresponding tool gesture interpolation point angle of each interpolation point central angle according to the total central angle, the tool gesture total angle and the interpolation point central angles; and obtain the corresponding first interpolation vector of each tool gesture interpolation point angle by the plane circular interpolation method according to the second start point vector, the second end point vector, the tool gesture total angle and the tool gesture interpolation point angle.

15. The arc processing device according to claim 14, wherein in the step of obtain the tool gesture interpolation point angle, the ratio of each tool gesture interpolation point angle to the tool gesture total angle is equivalent to the ratio of corresponding interpolation point central angles and the total central angle.

16. The arc processing device according to claim 9, wherein the first coordinate system is a Cartesian coordinate system, the second coordinate system is a circumferential coordinate system, the first coordinate axis is a radial coordinate axis of the circumferential coordinate system, and the second coordinate axis is a tangent direction coordinate axis of the circumferential coordinate system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an arc processing device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the arc processing device of FIG. 1 used in a tool machine.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an arc processing method according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of coordinate conversion according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a vector superposition diagram of the vectors of FIG. 4 including the start point tool gesture at a start point, the end point tool gesture at an end point and the interpolation point tool gesture at an interpolation point.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0012] Refer to FIGS. 1-5. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an arc processing device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the arc processing device 100 of FIG. 1 used in a tool machine 10. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an arc processing method according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of coordinate conversion according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 is a vector superposition diagram of the vectors of FIG. 4 including a start point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts at a start point As, the end point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te at an end point Ae and an interpolation point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti at an interpolation point Ai. The symbols of FIGS. 4 and 5 indicate that the start point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts, the end point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te and the interpolation point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti are vectors.

[0013] As indicated in FIG. 1, the arc processing device 100 includes a machining code analyzer 110, a coordinate converter 120 and an interpolation vector obtainer 130. The machining code analyzer 110, the coordinate converter 120 and/or the interpolation vector obtainer 130 can be realized by circuits formed by the semiconductor manufacturing process or integrated to the software or firmware of a processor. At least two of the machining code analyzer 110, the coordinate converter 120 and the interpolation vector obtainer 130 can be integrated as one element, such as a controller, or integrated to the controller of the tool machine 10 (not illustrated). As indicated in FIG. 2, the arc processing device 100 can be adapted in the tool machine 10, such as a five-axis machine tool. That is, depending on machining needs, a tool T1 configured on the tool machine 10 can be translated along the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis, or can rotate around the Y-axis (that is, the B-axis) and/or the Z-axis (that is, the C-axis).

[0014] The arc processing method of the arc processing device 100 of FIG. 1 is described with the flowchart of FIG. 3.

[0015] In step S110, a machining program code NC is provided. The machining program code NC includes a control code for machining an arcA by a tool. The arc A includes a start point coordinate of a start point As, an end point coordinate of an end point Ae, and a circle center coordinate of a circle center O of the arc A. Additionally, the machining program code NC defines the start point coordinate, the end point coordinate and the circle center coordinate by a first coordinate system W. The first coordinate system W can be realized by a Cartesian coordinate system, such as the XYZ coordinate system of FIG. 4, representing the coordinates of a workpiece. As indicated in FIG. 4, the plane P1 on which the arc A is located can form any angle with anyone of the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis of the first coordinate system W. Besides, the arc A can be at least a part of the boundary line of a tangent plane formed by the plane P1 and a sphere or a cylinder.

[0016] Let the machining program code NC of exemplary example 1 be taken for example. The control code G43.4 is for controlling the tool gesture in five-axis machining process, wherein H01 represents the selected tool. The control code G90G01X100 Y200 Z50B-20C0 represents the machining information of the start point As, wherein the parameters X100, Y200 and Z50 represent the start point coordinate [100, 200, 50] of the start point As (represented by the first coordinate system W), the parameters B-20 and C0 represent the angles at which the tool T1 rotates around the Y-axis (the numeric value following parameter B is referred as the tilt angle) and the Z-axis (the numeric value following parameter C is referred as the rotation angle), respectively. The control code G03G17X200Y500I-400J300B-30C60 represents the information of machining the arc (G03) up to the end point Ae, wherein the parameters X200 and Y500 represent the end point coordinate [200, 500, 50] of the end point Ae (represented by the first coordinate system W). The parameter G17 of exemplary example 1 represents machining an arc A on the XY plane, therefore the Z-axis coordinate value of the end point coordinate is the same as the Z-axis coordinate value of the start point coordinate. However, the embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the arc A can be defined in a three-dimensional XYZ space. Additionally, the parameters I-400 and J300 of the machining program code NC respectively represent displacements from the circle center O of the arc A towards the X-axis and the Y-axis with respect to the start point As (represented by the first coordinate system). The control code G49 represents terminating the five-axis machining process.

Exemplary Example 1

[0017] G43.4 H01

[0018] G90G01X100 Y200 Z50B-20C0 F1000

[0019] G03G17X200Y500I-400J300B-30C60

[0020] G49

[0021] In step S120, as indicated in FIG. 4, the machining code analyzer 110 analyzes the machining program code NC to obtain a first start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W of a start point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts at the start point As of the tool T1 and a first end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,W of an end point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te at the end point Ae of the tool T1, wherein the first start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W and the first end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,W are defined by the first coordinate system W.

[0022] There are many methods for obtaining the first start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W, and the disclosure is exemplified by one of the methods.

[0023] For example, the machining code analyzer 110 obtains the first start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W by the forward kinematic theory according to a tilt angle B and a rotation angle C. To put it in greater details, the first start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W can be obtained according to equations (1a)(1d). The parameters B and C of equations (1b)(1d) respectively represent the tilt angle and the rotation angle obtained from the machining program code NC. Furthermore, the numeric value 20 of the parameter B-20 of the machining program code NC of exemplary example 1 can be substituted to the tilt angle B of equations (1b)(1d), and the numeric value 0 of the parameter C0 can be substituted to the rotation angle C of the equations (1b)(1d). Moreover, the parameters V.sub.ts,i, V.sub.ts,j and V.sub.ts,k of equation (1a) respectively represent the components of the first start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W on the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis of the first coordinate system W.

{right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W=[V.sub.ts,i,V.sub.ts,j,V.sub.ts,k](1a)

V.sub.ts,i=sin(B)cos(C)(1b)

V.sub.ts,j=sin(B)sin(C)(1c)

V.sub.ts,k=cos(B)(1d)

[0024] According to equations (1a)(1d), the first start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W obtained by the machining program code NC of exemplary example 1 can be expressed as: {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W=[sin(20)cos(0),sin(20)sin(0),cos(20)]=[0.342, 0, 0939].

[0025] Similarly, the first end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,W of equation (2a) can be obtained according to equations (1b)(1d). The parameters V.sub.te,i, V.sub.te,j and V.sub.te,k of equation (2a) respectively represent the components of the first end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,W on the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis of the first coordinate system W. The first end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,W obtained by the machining program code NC of exemplary example 1 can be expressed as: {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,W=[sin(30) cos(60),sin(30) sin(60),cos(30)]=[0.25, 0.433, 0866].

{right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,W=(V.sub.te,i,V.sub.te,j,V.sub.te,k)(2a)

[0026] In step S130, the coordinate converter 120 converts the first start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W to a second start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,R. The second start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,R is defined by a second coordinate system R, such as a circumferential coordinate system. The second coordinate system R has a first coordinate axis and a second coordinate axis. The arc A is located on a plane P1 formed by the first coordinate axis and the second coordinate axis. The first coordinate axis is such as a radial coordinate axis of the start point As (that is, the vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,rad from the start point As towards the circle center O as indicated in FIG. 4), the second coordinate axis is such as a tangent direction coordinate axis of the start point As (that is, the vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,tan of FIG. 4). Besides, the second coordinate system R further has a third coordinate axis. The third coordinate axis, such as a normal direction coordinate axis of the start point As (such as the vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,nor of FIG. 4), is perpendicular to the first coordinate axis and the second coordinate axis (that is, perpendicular to the plane P1).

[0027] There are many methods for the coordinate converter 120 to convert the first start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W to the second start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,R, and one of the methods is described below using steps S131S132.

[0028] In step S131, the coordinate converter 120 obtains a start point coordinate transformation matrix M.sub.s according to the circle center coordinate and the start point coordinate obtained by the machining program code NC, wherein the start point coordinate transformation matrix M.sub.s is expressed as: M.sub.s=[{right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,rad{right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,tan{right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,nor] and is configured to convert the first start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W to the second start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,R. Furthermore, since the parameters I and J of the machining program code NC respectively represent the X-axis component and the Y-axis component of the arc A from the start point As to the circle center O, the vector from the start point As to the circle center O can be obtained from the parameters I and J of the machining program code NC, such that the start point coordinate transformation matrix M.sub.s can be obtained accordingly.

[0029] Let the machining program code NC of exemplary example 1 be taken for example. The numeric value 400 of the parameter I-400 represents the X-axis component of the arc A from the start point As to the circle center O, and the numeric value 300 of the parameter J300 represents the Y-axis component of the arc A from the start point As to the circle center O. Thus, the vector from the start point As to the circle center O, which can be expressed as: [400, 300, 0] (represented by the first coordinate axis W), is converted to a unit vector of [0.8, 0.6, 0], that is, {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,rad. The conversion of the said unit vector is:

[00001]$\left[\frac{-400}{\sqrt{{\left(-400\right)}^2+{\left(300\right)}^2}},\frac{300}{\sqrt{{\left(-400\right)}^2+{\left(300\right)}^2}},0\right].$

According to the restriction that {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,tan, {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,rad and {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,nor are orthogonal to each other, the vectors {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,tan and {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,nor can be obtained as {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,tan=[0.6, 0.8, 0] and {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,nor=[0, 0, 1]. The vectors {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,tan, {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,rad and {right arrow over (V)}.sub.s,nor, and the start point coordinate transformation matrix M.sub.s obtained from the above equations can be expressed as the following equation (3).

[00002]$\begin{array}{cc}{M}_s=\left[{\stackrel{.fwdarw.}{V}}_{s,\mathrm{rad}},{\stackrel{.fwdarw.}{V}}_{s,\tan },{\stackrel{.fwdarw.}{V}}_{s,\mathrm{nor}}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{ccc}-0.8& 0.6& 0\\ 0.6& 0.8& 0\\ 0& 0& 1\end{array}\right]& \left(3\right)\end{array}$

[0030] In step S132, the coordinate converter 120 calculates a dot product of the first start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W and the start point coordinate transformation matrix M.sub.s to obtain the second start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,R according to equation (4). For example, the second start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,R obtained by the machining program code NC of exemplary example 1 according to equation (4) can be expressed as: {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,R=[0.342, 0, 0.939].Math.M.sub.s=[0.273,0.205,0.939], wherein the numeric value of M.sub.s is illustrated in equation (3).

{right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,R={right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,W.Math.M.sub.s(4)

[0031] In step S140, the coordinate converter 120 converts the first end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,W to a second end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,R defined by the second coordinate system R. The first coordinate axis of the second end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,R is such as the radial coordinate axis of an end point Ae (that is, the vector from the end point Ae towards the circle center O, such as the vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,rad of FIG. 4), and the second coordinate axis is such as a tangent direction coordinate axis of the end point Ae (such as the vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,tan of FIG. 4). Besides, the second coordinate system R further has a third coordinate axis. The third coordinate axis, such as the normal direction coordinate axis of the end point Ae (such as the vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,nor of FIG. 4), is perpendicular to the first coordinate axis and the second coordinate axis (that is, perpendicular to the plane P1).

[0032] There are many methods for the coordinate converter 120 to convert the first end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,W to the second end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,R, and one of the methods is described below using steps S141S142.

[0033] In step S141, the coordinate converter 120 obtains the end point coordinate transformation matrix M.sub.e according to the circle center coordinate and the end point coordinate obtained from the machining program code NC, wherein the end point coordinate transformation matrix M.sub.e is expressed as: M.sub.e=[{right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,rad,{right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,tan,{right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,nor] and is configured to convert the first end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,W to the second end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,R. The vector from the end point Ae to the circle center O can be obtained from the circle center coordinate and the end point coordinate obtained by the machining program code NC, such that the end point coordinate transformation matrix M.sub.e can be obtained accordingly.

[0034] Let the machining program code NC of exemplary example 1 be taken for example. It can be obtained from the start point coordinate [100, 200, 50] of the start point As and the parameters I-400 and J300 that the circle center coordinate of the circle center O is: [300, 500, 50]. According to the circle center coordinate of the circle center O and the end point coordinate, the vector [500, 0, 0] (represented by in the first coordinate system W) from the end point Ae to the circle center O is converted to a unit vector [1, 0, 0], that is, the vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,rad. According to the restriction that the vectors {right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,tan, {right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,rad and {right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,nor are orthogonal to each other, it can be obtained that vectors {right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,rad and {right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,nor can be expressed as: {right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,rad=[0, 1, 0], {right arrow over (V)}.sub.e,nor=[0, 0, 1]. The start point coordinate transformation matrix M.sub.e can be expressed as equation (5).

[00003]$\begin{array}{cc}{M}_e=\left[{\stackrel{.fwdarw.}{V}}_{e,\mathrm{rad}},{\stackrel{.fwdarw.}{V}}_{e,\tan },{\stackrel{.fwdarw.}{V}}_{e,\mathrm{nor}}\right]=\left[\begin{array}{ccc}-1& 0& 0\\ 0& 1& 0\\ 0& 0& 1\end{array}\right]& \left(5\right)\end{array}$

[0035] In step S142, the coordinate converter 120 calculates a dot product of the first end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,W and the end point coordinate transformation matrix M.sub.e to obtain the second end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,R according to equation (6). For example, the second end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,R obtained by the machining program code NC of exemplary example 1 according to equation (6) can be expressed as: {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,R=[0.25,0.433,0.866].Math.M.sub.e=[0.25, 0.433, 0.866].

{right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,R={right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,W.Math.M.sub.e(6)

[0036] In step S150, the interpolation vector obtainer 130 obtains a first interpolation vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R between the second start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,R and the second end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,R along the arc A. The first interpolation vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R is a vector of the interpolation point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti of the tool T1 at an interpolation point Ai and is defined by the second coordinate system R.

[0037] There are many methods for the interpolation vector obtainer 130 to obtain the first interpolation vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R, and one of the methods is described below using steps S151S154.

[0038] In step S151, the machining code analyzer 110 analyzes the machining program code NC to obtain a total central angle , formed by the start point As and the end point Ae with respect to the circle center O of the arc A, and a tool gesture total angle . The total central angle and the tool gesture total angle respectively are illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The tool gesture total angle is an angle formed by the start point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts and the end point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te. In another embodiment, step S151 can be integrated with step S110, and the two steps can be performed concurrently.

[0039] In step S152, the interpolation vector obtainer 130 sets an interpolation point central angle .sub.i formed by the start point As of the arc A and the interpolation point Ai with respect to the circle center O. The interpolation point central angle .sub.i is illustrated in FIG. 4. The interpolation point central angle .sub.i is smaller than the interpolation point central angle . In practice, the interpolation point central angle .sub.i can be 1/2, 3/4, 1/3, 1/4 or any other ratio of the interpolation point central angle . The interpolation point central angle .sub.i can be any angle and is not specified in the embodiments of the disclosure.

[0040] In step S153, the interpolation vector obtainer 130 obtains the tool gesture interpolation point angle .sub.i according to the total central angle , the tool gesture total angle and the interpolation point central angle .sub.i. For example, the interpolation vector obtainer 130 obtains the tool gesture interpolation point angle .sub.i; according to equation (7). As indicated in FIG. 5, the tool gesture interpolation point angle .sub.i is an angle formed by the start point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts and the interpolation point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti. It can be understood from equation (7) that the ratio of the tool gesture interpolation point angle .sub.i to the tool gesture total angle is equivalent to the ratio of the interpolation point central angle .sub.i to the total central angle .

[00004]$\begin{array}{cc}{}_i=\frac{{}_i}{}& \left(7\right)\end{array}$

[0041] In step S154, the interpolation vector obtainer 130 obtains the first interpolation vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R by the plane circular interpolation method according to the second start point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ts,R, the second end point vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.te,R, the tool gesture total angle and the tool gesture interpolation point angle .sub.i. To put it in greater details, the first interpolation vectors {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R can be obtained according to equation (8) or the spherical linear interpolation (Slerp) method. The first interpolation vectors {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R is defined by the second coordinate system R.

[00005]$\begin{array}{cc}{\stackrel{.fwdarw.}{V}}_{\mathrm{ti},R}=\frac{\sin \left(-{}_i\right).Math.{\stackrel{.fwdarw.}{V}}_{\mathrm{ts},R}+\sin \left({}_i\right).Math.{\stackrel{.fwdarw.}{V}}_{\mathrm{te},R}}{\sin \left(\right)}& \left(8\right)\end{array}$

[0042] The first interpolation vectors {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R of equation (8) is defined by the second coordinate system R and can be expressed as: {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R=[V.sub.ti,r,V.sub.ti,t,V.sub.ti,n].sub.R, wherein V.sub.tir is a radial component of the first interpolation vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R, V.sub.tit is a tangent direction component of the first interpolation vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R, and V.sub.tin is a normal direction coordinate axis component of the first interpolation vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R. As indicated in FIG. 4, the first interpolation vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R is the vector of the interpolation point tool gesture {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti represented by the second coordinate system R, and therefore a subscript R is used.

[0043] In step S160, the interpolation vector obtainer 130 converts the first interpolation vectors {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R to a second interpolation vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,W defined by the first coordinate system W according to equations (9) and (10). According to equation (9), the interpolation point coordinate transformation matrix M.sub.i converts the first interpolation vectors {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R to the second interpolation vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,W. The vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.i,rad of the interpolation point coordinate transformation matrix M.sub.i is the transformation vector of the radial coordinate axis of the second coordinate system R of the interpolation point Ai with respect to the first coordinate system W. The vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.i,tan is the transformation vector of the tangent direction coordinate axis of the second coordinate system R of the interpolation point Ai with respect to the first coordinate system W. The vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.i,nor is the transformation vector of the normal direction coordinate axis of the interpolation point Ai represented by the second coordinate system R with respect to the first coordinate system W.

M.sub.i=[{right arrow over (V)}.sub.i,rad,{right arrow over (V)}.sub.i,tan,{right arrow over (V)}.sub.i,nor](9)

{right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,W={right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,R.Math.M.sub.i=[V.sub.ti,r,V.sub.ti,t,V.sub.ti,n].Math.M.sub.i(10)

[0044] Then, the arc processing device 100, by the kinetic theory or existing techniques, can convert the second interpolation vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,W to the machining parameters indicating the translation along the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis and the angles at which the device rotates around the Y-axis and/or the Z-axis. In the practical process for machining the arc A, the arc processing device 100 firstly performs the arc processing method to obtain the second interpolation vector {right arrow over (V)}.sub.ti,W. Then, the arc processing device 100 machines the arc A on the workpiece according to the machining program code NC and the said machining parameters. In an embodiment, the arc processing device 100 can choose not to add the newly converted machining parameters to the machining program code NC or choose to add the newly converted machining parameters the machining program code NC in the form of a program code. Besides, the arc processing device 100 can store the newly converted machining parameters in a storage device (not illustrated) inside or outside the arc processing device 100.

[0045] The number of interpolation points is exemplified by 1 in above embodiments. However, in another embodiment, the number of interpolation points can be more than 1, such as any positive integer between 2N, wherein N can be 10, 20, 100, 500, 1000 or above. The larger the number of interpolation points, the smoother the machined arc A. According to the embodiments of the disclosure, the three-dimensional coordinates of the machining points are converted to the circumferential coordinates of the plane (such as the plane P1 of FIG. 4), such that the computation time is reduced, the computation speed is increased and the solution selection problem encountered in the generally known processing method can be avoided. Even when the number of interpolation points is many, the arc processing method according to the embodiments of the disclosure embodiment still can be completed quickly. The arc processing method can be performed to machine an arc guide angle, an outward arc surface and a concave arc surface.

[0046] While the disclosure has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiment (s), it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures.