An Integrated Application for Selection of Optimum Strategies and Tools for Finishing Free Form Surfaces

machines using ball end mill cutters; the determination of the optimum tool and the minimization of the machining times for each surface. In the proposed methodology, the accessibility problem is first analyzed and then the optimal tool is selected from a database of tools. Next, and depending on the machining method, we select automatically the optimum sweeping method and the associated machining direction for the isoparametric method, and the selection of the optimum machining angle for parallel plane method. Once the tool path is generated, the movements of the CNC machine are simulated virtually. This process allows an important reduction in machining time and therefore the machining costs.