• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 1997

This paper presents rough cut tool path planning for the fewer-axis machine consisting of a three-axis CNC machine and a rotary indexing table. In the problem dealt with in this paper, the tool orientation is "intermediately" changed, distinguished from the conventional problem where the tool orientation is assumed to be fixed. The developed rough cut path planning algorithm tries to minimize the number of tool orientation (setup) changes together with tool changes and the machining time for the rough cut by the four procedures: a) decomposition of the machining area based on the possibility of tool interference (via convex hull operation), b) determination of the optimal tool size and orientation (via network graph theory and branch-and bound algorithm), c) generation of tool path for the tool and orientation (based on zig-zag pattern), and d) feedrate adjustment to maintain the cutting force at an operation level (based on average cutting force). The developed algorithms are validated via computer simulations, and can be also used in pure fiveaxis machining environment without modification.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.154-157
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• 2003

This paper presents an efficient real-time tool-path planning method for interpolation of NURBS surfaces in CNC machining. The proposed tool-path planning method is based on an improved iso-scallop strategy and can provide better precision than the existing methods. The proposed method is designed such that tool-path planning is easily managed in realtime. It proposed a new algorithm, for regulation of a scallop height, which can efficiently generate tool-paths and can save machining time compared with the existing method. Through computer simulations, the performance of the proposed method is analyzed and compared with the existing method in terms of feedrate. total machining time and a degree of constraint on the scallop height.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.32-45
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• 1995

In this paper, we present a new method to tool path planning problem for rough cut of pocket milling operations. The key idea is to formulate the tool path problem into a TSP (Travelling Salesman Problem) so that the powerful neural network approach can be effectively applied. Specifically, our method is composed of three procedures: a) discretization of the pocket area into a finite number of tool points, b) neural network approach (called SOM-Self Organizing Map) for path finding, and c) postprocessing for path smoothing and feedrate adjustment. By the neural network procedure, an efficient tool path (in the sense of path length and tool retraction) can be robustly obtained for any arbitrary shaped pockets with many islands. In the postprocessing, a) the detailed shape of the path is fine tuned by eliminating sharp corners of the path segments, and b) any cross-overs between the path segments and islands. With the determined tool path, the feedrate adjustment is finally performed for legitimate motion without requiring excessive cutting forces. The validity and powerfulness of the algorithm is demonstrated through various computer simulations and real machining.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Machine Tool Engineers Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.176-181
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• 2000

Collision free task planning for dual-arm robot which perform many subtasks in a common work space can be achieved in two steps : path planning and trajectory planning. path planning finds the order of tasks for each robot to minimize path lengths as well as to avoid collision with static obstacles. A trajectory planning strategy is to let each robot move along its path as fast as possible and delay one robot at its initial position or reduce speed at the middle of its path to avoid collision with the other robot.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Tool path generation is a part of process planning in 3D printing. This is done before actual printing by a computer rather than an AM machine. The mesh geometry of the 3D model is sliced layer-by-layer along the Z-axis and tool paths are generated from the sliced layers. Each 2-dimensional layer can have two types of printing paths: (i) shell and (ii) infill. Shell paths are made of offset loops. During shell generation, twists can be produced in offset loops which will cause twisted tool paths. As a twisted tool path cannot be printed, it is necessary to remove these twists during process planning. In this research, An algorithm is presented to remove twists from the offset loops. To do so the path segments are traversed to identify twisted points. Outer offset loops are represented in the counter-clockwise segment order and clockwise rotation for the inner offset loop to decide which twisted loop should be removed. After testing practical 3D models, the proposed algorithm is verified to use in tool path generation for 3D printing.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.23 no.9 s.186
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• pp.156-163
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• 2006

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.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.1418-1425
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• 2003

In CAD systems, a surface to be machined is expressed by a series of curves, such as B-spline, Bezier and NURBS curves, which compose the surface and then in CAM systems the curves are divided into a large number of line or arc segments. These divided movement commands, however, cause many problems including their excessive size of NC data that makes almost impossible local adjustment or modification of the surface. To cope with those problems, the necessity of real-time curve or surface interpolators was embossed. This paper presents an efficient real-time tool-path generation method fur interpolation of NURBS surfaces in CNC machining. The proposed tool-path generation method is based on an improved iso-scallop strategy and can provide better precision than the existing methods. The proposed method is designed such that tool-path planning is easily managed in real-time. It proposed a new algorithm for regulation of a scallop height, which can efficiently generate tool-paths and can save machining time compared with the existing method. Through computer simulations, the performance of the proposed method is analyzed and compared with the existing method in terms of federate, total machining time and a degree of constraint on the scallop height.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.471-474
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• 2004

In this paper, a NURBS surface interpolator is proposed which can deal with shapes defined from CAD/CAM programs on a surface basis and can improve contour accuracy. The proposed interpolator is based on newly defined G-codes and includes online tool-path planning suitable for NURBS surface machining. The real-time interpolation algorithm, considering an effective machining method for each machining process and minimum machining time, is executed in an online manner. The proposed interpolator is implemented on a PC-based 3-axis CNC milling system and evaluated through actual machining in terms of machining time and regulation of feedrate and cutting force in comparison with the existing method.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.43-49
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• 2001

A reduced machining time and increased accuracy for the sculptured surface are very important when producing complicated parts. The step-size and tool-path interval are essential components in high speed and high resolution machining. If they are small, the machining time will increase, whereas if they are large, rough surfaces will be caused. In particular, the machining time, which is key in high speed machining, is affected by the tool-path interval more than the step-size. The conventional method for calculating the tool=path interval is to select a small parametric increment of a small increment based on the curvature of the surface. However, this approach also has limitations. The first is that the tool-path interval can not be calculated precisely. The second is that a separate tool-path interval needs to be calculated in each of the three cases. The third is that the conversion from Cartesian domain to parametric domain or vice versa must be necessary. Accordingly, the current study proposes a new tool-path interval algorithm that do not involve a curvature and that is not necessary for any conversion and a variable step-size algorithm for NURBS.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Machine Tool Engineers Conference
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.184-189
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• 2002

Collision free task planning for dual-arm robot which perform many subtasks in a common work space can be achieved in two steps : path planning and trajectory planning. Path planning finds the order of tasks for each robot to minimize path lengths as well as to avoid collision with static obstacles. A trajectory planning strategy is to let each robot move along its path as fast as possible and delay one robot at its initial position or reduce speed at the middle of its path to avoid collision with the other robot.