Studies on the combination of the forward and reverse postprocessor for multiaxis machine tools

Abstract

Due to the fact that many combinations can be synthesized to generate various multiaxis machine tool configurations and that multiaxis numerically controlled (NC) data can only be applied to the specific configuration, the portability of the NC data is inevitably reduced. The purpose of this paper is to present the development of the combined forward and reverse postprocessor for multiaxis machine tools. The NC data for a specific machine tool can be explicitly transformed to other machine tool configurations using the homogeneous coordinate transformation matrix together with forward and inverse kinematics. Moreover, the proposed methodology is verified by solid cutting simulation and a trial cut on a typical five-axis machine tool. The algorithm presented can enhance the facility of machine tools and thus make production schedules more flexible.

Keywords

multiaxis machining postprocessor forward kinematics inverse kinematics form-shaping function

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