Adaptive trochoidal toolpath for complex pockets machining

Abstract

This work proposes a novel adaptive trochoidal (TR) toolpath model for complex pocket machining. The proposed model is able to adjust its TR radius, while simultaneously offers an adaptive trochoidal step for generation of each toolpath cycle. With the varying radius, complex regions can be machined by a single strip of TR toolpath. Moreover, the step of each TR cycle can be adjusted with reference to the varied radius so as to maintain a constant radial depth of cut, and hence more stable material removal rate among all TR cycles can be achieved. For the pocket machining cases with complex inner and outer boundaries, experimental study has shown that the proposed TR toolpath can effectively minimise the fluctuation of cutting forces, and achieve better toolpath efficiency.