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| It seems to be a dilemma to make full use of the surface geometry to plan high-efficiency tool paths and keep the paths smooth and easy to perform. An approach of sculpture surface division and tool path planning based on cluster analysis is proposed to try to solve the dilemma. The k-mean clustering algorithm is used to analyze the best cutting directions corresponding to the sampling points on the surface using the concept of the equivalence class. With the clustering results, the surface can be divided to a number of patches in which the best cutting directions are almost the same. It is easy to plan high-efficiency tool paths in each patch via isoplanar method or isoscallop height method. Simultaneously, the smoothness of path in each patch is guaranteed naturally. The index of improvable capacity is introduced to adjust the surface division to keep the patches regular. To compare with traditional iso-scallop height method, an example is presented to implement the approach, and the tool paths generated via the new approach achieve higher efficiency and better quality. |
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| Keywords:Numerical control machining，Tool path planning, Cluster analysis, Surface division, Equivalence class |
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