Intelligent NURBS Surface Interpolation System with Embedded Online Tool-Path Planning

The purpose of this study is to improve the machining of free-formed NURBS surfaces using newly defined G-codes which can directly deal with shapes defined from CAD/CAM programs on a surface basis and specialize in rough and finish cut. To this purpose, a NURBS surface interpolation system is proposed in this paper. The proposed interpolation system includes online tool-path planning, real-time interpolation and feedrate regulation considering an effective machining method and minimum machining time all suitable for unit NURBS surface machining. The corresponding algorithms are simultaneously executed in an online manner. The proposed NURBS surface interpolation system is integrated and implemented with a PC-based 3-axis CNC milling system. A graphic user interface (GUI) and a 3D tool-path viewer which interprets the G-codes for NURBS surfaces and displays whole tool-paths are also developed and included in our real-time control system. The proposed system is evaluated through actual machining in terms of size of NC data, machining time, regulation of feedrate and cutting force focused on finish cut in comparison with the existing method.