Development of initial tool orientation method at close bounded area for 5-axis roughing based on faceted models

In the rough machining, especially for complex models, it is often found limitation area that cannot be machined by ordinary 3-axis machining operation. for example models consist of close bounded volume (CBV area). Generally, rough machining strategy adopts 3-axis machining method. With the use of 5-axis milling machine, it is expected that the lack of ability of roughing process for particular shape is overcome. To perform roughing process on that area, determination of initial tool orientation is the starting step needed to obtain an accurate direction and sculpture position. First, to determine CC-point on the surface of a workpiece, identify CC-point position on CBV area, determine the neighboring CC point closest to CC-point in CBV area, then to make position vector from the point in CBV against the nearest neighbour CC-point on the highest Z value. This method is successfully applied for the shapes which contain CBV area on the surface where machining process is performed.