Tool Path Transition Sections for Smooth Multi-Angle Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Machining complex components with different surface inclinations leads to excessive material engagement, vibrations, and reduced surface quality due to abrupt tool movements in connecting portions, especially when different machining strategies are applied to adjacent areas.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining a tool path that omits edge sections where different machining strategies meet, using adaptation strategies for each area and a transition section to ensure smooth transitions, reducing material engagement and tool load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If different machining strategies are applied to adjacent workpiece portions with different spatial orientations, then machining efficiency is improved, but excessive material engagement occurs in connecting portions leading to vibrations and reduced surface quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachining efficiencyVSAvoidsurface quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The tool path is segmented into distinct sections: a first path section for the first workpiece portion, a second path section for the second workpiece portion, and a transition section for the connecting portion. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently, with the transition section specifically designed to reduce material engagement and eliminate vibrations in connecting portions while maintaining efficient machining in the main workpiece areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A transition section is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second path sections. This transition section acts as a mediator that smoothly connects the different machining strategies used for adjacent workpiece portions with different spatial orientations, preventing abrupt tool movements and excessive material engagement in the connecting portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If different machining strategies are applied to adjacent workpiece portions, then machining adaptability is improved, but tool load increases due to excessive material engagement in connecting portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachining adaptabilityVSAvoidtool load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The tool path is divided into separate path sections for different workpiece portions, each optimized for its specific geometry. The transition section segments the connecting portion into controlled, low-material-engagement movements, reducing peak tool loads while maintaining the ability to adapt to different workpiece configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transition section uses partial action by deliberately reducing material engagement to minimal levels in the connecting portions. This allows the tool to transition between different machining strategies without the excessive material engagement that would otherwise occur, thereby reducing tool load while preserving machining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If short and strongly curved retraction segments are used in connecting portions with limited space, then tool path compactness is improved, but abrupt tool movements occur causing vibrations and machining marks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool path compactnessVSAvoidsurface quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transition section employs smooth, continuous curved path segments instead of sharp angles or abrupt direction changes. This curvilinear approach allows the tool to navigate connecting portions with limited space while maintaining smooth tool movements, eliminating vibrations and machining marks that would result from abrupt retraction segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The transition section dynamically adjusts the tool path geometry to match the available space in connecting portions. By using continuously varying curved segments rather than fixed rigid paths, the system achieves compact tool paths that adapt to spatial constraints without creating abrupt movements, thereby maintaining surface quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12547143B2Method for determining a tool path and method for material-removing machining of a workpiece and associated machine tool and computer program product

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 OPEN MIND TECH

AI summary

A method is provided for material-removing machining when moving a tool of a machine tool along a tool path, including providing a workpiece comprising a first workpiece portion and a second workpiece portion adjacent to the first workpiece portion, wherein the tool path comprises a first path section comprising path segments adapted to a geometry of the first workpiece portion, and a second path section comprising path segments adapted to a geometry of the second workpiece portion. The method comprises determining the first path section to cover the first workpiece portion except for a first edge section, determining the second path section to cover the second workpiece portion except for a second edge section, and determining a transition section of the tool path to cover the first edge section and the second edge section, such that the first and second path sections and the transition section cover the entire first and second workpiece portions.