An efficient iso-scallop tool path generation method for three-axis scattered point cloud machining

Shortening total length of tool path is preferred in numerical control (NC) machining since it can reduce machining time effectively. Compared with iso-planar tool path, iso-scallop tool path is shorter in length due to the pursuing of maximum interval values. However, the process of iso-scallop tool path generation is more complicated and time-consuming. To simplify the computing process and improve efficiency, this paper presents an efficient iso-scallop tool path generation method for three-axis scattered point cloud machining. Avoiding offsetting points or fitting surface, scallop points and iso-scallop cutter location (CL) points are directly calculated based on scattered data points by iterative algorithms. In order to reduce the times of iterative calculations, initial scallop-height points and CL points are calculated to be closer to the wanted theoretical points. Only a small number of key data points are searched for use so as to reduce calculation amount, and the number gradually decreases with the increase of iterations. Two typical point clouds are used to test the presented method. The experiment results indicate that the scallop height on the machined surface is uniform, and total length of the generated tool paths is much shorter than that of iso-planar tool paths. Moreover, the computation efficiency is also improved and is higher than our previous method (Int J Adv Manuf Technol 63: 137–146, 2012).