Voxel-based virtual multi-axis machining

Although multi-axis CNC machines are well known for complicated part machin ing involving few time-consuming set-ups, difficulties arises in generating collision-free tool paths and determining cutting parameters. Machining si mulation is used to validate the generated information for multi-axis CNC m achines before it is physically downloaded and executed. The objective of t his CNC machining. The simulator displays the machining process in which th e initial workpiece is incrementally converted into the finished part. The voxel representation is used to model efficiently the state of the in-proce ss work-piece, which is generated by successively subtracting tool swept vo lumes from the workpiece. The voxel representation also simplifies the comp utation of regularised Boolean set operations and of material removal volum es. By using the material removal rate measured by the number of removed vo xels, the feedrate can be adjusted adaptively to increase the machining pro ductivity.