Generation of collision-free cutter location data in five-axis milling using the potential energy method

In five-axis milling, optimal cutter location data (CL-data) should be generated to have advantages over three-axis milling in terms of accuracy and efficiency. This paper presents an algorithm for generating collision-free CL-data for five-axis milling using the potential energy method. By virtually charging the cutter and part surfaces with static electricity, global collision as well as local interference is eliminated. Moreover, machining efficiency is simultaneously improved by minimising the curvature difference between the part surface and tool swept surface at a cutter contact point (CC-point).