Optimisation of spiral tool path for five-axis milling of freeform surface blade

This paper deals with optimisation of five-axis tool paths in the context of milling of turbine blade. The purpose is to generate tool paths that respecting kinematical performance of machine tool while ensuring the geometrical conformity of the machined part. To achieve this object, outer transverse curves are created at the leading edge and trailing edge of the blade while generating spiral tool path, it allows the machine tool to maintain the programmed feed rate while respecting the kinematical limits of the machine tool. As for the leading and trailing edges of the blade, they are machined along height direction of the blade. Machining experiments showed that machine tool moved smoothly and no over cut or dot marks would occur with the proposed method, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of the presented approach. Copyright © 2010 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.