An Approach for Tool Accessibility Evaluation for Multi-axis Machining Models

An important step for automated manufacturing planning and evaluation of machined parts is the determination of appropriate tool approach directions and set-ups. An approach for determining accessible tool directions from a NURBS model of a part is developed and presented. The approach is based on mapping the convex hull of the part model to Point Visibility Cones (PVC). The approach is compared to PVC generation from a tessellated model. The new approach is shown to produce more conservative PVC's in less time than the tessellated approach.