Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece having first, second and third sides. The method includes: generating a first arc having a corresponding in-process material boundary intersecting the first side and which is tangent to the second side and to the third side; generating a succession of one or more second arcs, having a corresponding in-process material boundary which intersects the first side, is parallel to the first arc, and progresses by a corresponding first predetermined value from the first arc toward the first side until the in-process material boundary corresponding to one of the second arcs has a maximum distance from the first side less than the first predetermined value; and thereafter generating a succession of transition passes connecting each one of the second arcs end to end with the first arc to form the tool path.

Abstract: A method using a computer for generating a spiral-like tool path for milling a region of a workpiece is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: creating a family of concentric indexed circular arcs at each of two or more separate and distinct selected points within the region; determining parameters of a first set of blends to connect together the circular arcs of adjacent families of the circular arcs having an identical index to form a plurality of isoloops; determining parameters of a second set of blends for blending between adjacent isoloops to form the spiral-like tool path, and generating instructions for controlling the milling cutter in accordance with the generated tool path.

Abstract: A method for generating a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece is disclosed. The region has a first side meeting at its respective ends a first end of each of a second side and a third side. The method includes the steps of: (1) determining, using a computer, a radius of curvature and a center of each of a succession of circularly shaped tool passes, each successive tool pass advancing into the region from the first side of the region, wherein the radius of curvature and the center of each advancing tool pass is determined such that an engagement of the cutter following the tool path does not exceed a predetermined value of cutter engagement, and (2) generating instructions for controlling the milling cutter to mill the region in accordance with the generated tool path.

Abstract: A method of generating control code for a CNC machine is described. The method includes the steps of: (1) generating in a computer a first plurality of coordinate values, xi, yi, zi, said first plurality of coordinate values representing a plurality of first connected line segments which surround a vertical axis, said first connected line segments gradually descending to a first predetermined depth, (2) generating in a computer a second plurality of coordinate values xj, yj, zj, said second coordinate values representing a plurality of second connected line segments which surround the vertical axis, said plurality of second connected line segments having a starting point at approximately the first predetermined depth, and gradually descending to a second predetermined depth greater than the first depth, and (3) converting the first and the second coordinate values to a code for controlling the CNC machine.

Abstract: A method for generating a tool path for machining a pocket with a milling cutter is disclosed. The tool path includes a first portion, a second portion and a transition portion connecting together the first portion and the second portion. The method includes the steps of: determining a radius of a first arc; determining a radius of a second arc; situating the first arc so as to connect the first portion to the second portion in a tangent continuous manner; situating a third arc so as to be tangent continuous the first arc and intersecting the first arc; and situating a fourth arc, so as to be: (1) tangent continuous with the third arc, (2) tangent to the second arc and (3) tangent continuous with either the first portion or the second portion.

Abstract: A method using a computer for generating a spiral-like tool path for milling a region of a workpiece is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: creating a family of concentric indexed circular arcs at each of two or more separate and distinct selected points within the region; determining parameters of a first set of blends to connect together the circular arcs of adjacent families of the circular arcs having an identical index to form a plurality of isoloops; determining parameters of a second set of blends for blending between adjacent isoloops to form the spiral-like tool path, and generating instructions for controlling the milling cutter in accordance with the generated tool path.

Abstract: A method for generating, by a direct process, a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece by a milling cutter is disclosed. The tool path consists of one or more passes. The method includes the steps of storing a maximum engagement of the milling cutter and defining each one of the one or more passes such that a value of the engagement, when traversing each one of the one or more passes, does not exceed the maximum value of engagement.

Abstract: A method for generating, by a direct process, a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece by a milling cutter is disclosed. The tool path consists of one or more passes. The method includes the steps of storing a maximum engagement of the milling cutter and defining each one of the one or more passes such that a value of the engagement, when traversing each one of the one or more passes, does not exceed the maximum value of engagement.

Abstract: A method for generating a tool path for machining a pocket with a milling cutter is disclosed. The tool path includes a first portion, a second portion and a transition portion connecting together the first portion and the second portion. The method includes the steps of: determining a radius of a first arc; determining a radius of a second arc; situating the first arc so as to connect the first portion to the second portion in a tangent continuous manner; situating a third arc so as to be tangent continuous the first arc and intersecting the first arc; and situating a fourth arc, so as to be: (1) tangent continuous with the third arc, (2) tangent to the second arc and (3) tangent continuous with either the first portion or the second portion.

Abstract: A method for generating, by a direct process, a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece by a milling cutter is disclosed. The tool path consists of one or more passes. The method includes the steps of storing a maximum engagement of the milling cutter and defining each one of the one or more passes such that a value of the engagement, when traversing each one of the one or more passes, does not exceed the maximum value of engagement.

Abstract: A method for generating, by a direct process, a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece by a milling cutter is disclosed. The tool path consists of one or more passes. The method includes the steps of storing a maximum engagement of the milling cutter and defining each one of the one or more passes such that a value of the engagement, when traversing each one of the one or more passes, does not exceed the maximum value of engagement.

Abstract: An automated computer-implemented method for generating commands for controlling a computer numerical control machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece. The method includes the steps of: (1) determining a first set of Z coordinates for machining a first set of Z level planar slices with a first tool; and (2) determining a second set of Z coordinates for machining a second set of Z level planar slices with the first tool. The second set of Z coordinates is partitioned into one or more subsets. Each subset corresponds to a pair of adjacent Z coordinates belonging to the first set of Z coordinates. A distance between the Z coordinates of each subset is a unit fraction of a distance between the Z coordinates of the pair of adjacent Z coordinates which corresponds to each subset.

Abstract: An automated computer-implemented method for generating commands for controlling a computer numerical control machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece. The method includes the steps of: (1) determining a first set of Z coordinates for machining a first set of Z level planar slices with a first tool; and (2) determining a second set of Z coordinates for machining a second set of Z level planar slices with the first tool. The second set of Z coordinates is partitioned into one or more subsets. Each subset corresponds to a pair of adjacent Z coordinates belonging to the first set of Z coordinates. A distance between the Z coordinates of each subset is a unit fraction of a distance between the Z coordinates of the pair of adjacent Z coordinates which corresponds to each subset.