A COMPUTERIZED ALGORITHM FOR MILLING NONCONVEX POCKETS WITH NUMERICALLY CONTROLLED MACHINES

Advanced part programming languages like APT have the facility for sta ting: pocket milling operations with one or more statements. However, these statements apply only to convex pockets. In this paper, an algor ithm for machining non-convex pockets is described. This is done by de fining one suitable edge of the polygon as a reference line and then d efining a series of cutter paths parallel to it resulting in a continu ous cutter path. The paper also describes the procedure for selecting reference line and cutter locations, the calculations involved and the computerization of the algorithm. Finally, it gives an illustrated ex ample of a cutter path generated for a hypothetical component.