Investigation of Tool Path Strategies for Three-axes and Five-axes Milling with Feed Rate optimization

Enhance in efficiency and accuracy of the parts production with complex surface by CNC machines is a necessity in nowadays industrial world. Selecting the type of tool-path strategy in CAM software has a significant role in determining the length of tool movement, the material removal rate and the number of axes required in each stage of machining operation. ptimal choice of the tool-path and its peripheral configuration can improve machining precision and efficiency. This research aim is to identify and evaluate the different tool-path strategies in multi-axes machining in order to choose the best strategy for each models of concave spherical, convex spherical, freeform surfaces, revolve surfaces, steep slope surfaces and extruded surfaces. In this regard, Powermill and Vericut softwares were used for simulation of machining operation and NC program optimization. Then, with experimental testing of three-axes machining and three-axes and five-axes machining simulation, different tool-path strategies were compared with each other in terms of machining time and the average of residual of machining on surface unit. Finally, the optimal strategy for each model was selected. Results demonstrated that incorporation of varying and optimal feed rates in different strategies of tool-paths causes their machining times to be close together.