Intersection approach to multi-point machining of sculptured surfaces

Five-axis machining of sculptured surfaces is gaining wider acceptance in many industries. This paper examines the potential of a new tool positioning strategy where the desired surface is machined at more than one point of contact between the desired surface and the cutting tool. The method is called Multi-Point Machining or simply MPM. Intersection theory is used to gain insight into the multi-point contact problem as well as to solve for these contact points. The approach is demonstrated numerically for a sphere, a quadratic surface and a cubic B6zier surface. Experimental verification is also conducted for the spherical and quadratic surfaces. © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.