Pseudo-random tool paths for CNC sub-aperture polishing and other applications

TLDR

The paper contrasts classical and CNC polishing techniques and introduces a pseudo‑random tool path for CNC sub‑aperture polishing, reporting results versus raster paths. The method employs a unicursal random seed‑generated tool path that never crosses itself, enabling polishing of any continuous area with arbitrary boundaries, and is compared to raster paths. Polishing results from the pseudo‑random tool path are comparable to raster paths and the path’s non‑crossing property makes it directly compatible with dwell‑time maps for corrective polishing.

Abstract

In this paper we first contrast classical and CNC polishing techniques in regard to the repetitiveness of the machine motions. We then present a pseudo-random tool path for use with CNC sub-aperture polishing techniques and report polishing results from equivalent random and raster tool-paths. The random tool-path used - the unicursal random tool-path - employs a random seed to generate a pattern which never crosses itself. Because of this property, this tool-path is directly compatible with dwell time maps for corrective polishing. The tool-path can be used to polish any continuous area of any boundary shape, including surfaces with interior perforations.