An Optimum Two-tool Solution for Milling 2½D Features from Technological and Geometric Viewpoints

This paper describes a procedure to determine the optimum pair of tools that can machine a milling feature with soft and/or hard boundaries. The optimum cutting conditions, as well as the actual distances traversed by the two tools, are used in the determination of the total machining cost. In addition to technological constraints such as machine tool power, geometrical constraints including minimum concave radius, bottleneck width and entry distance are determined from the Voronoi diagram. The paper also describes a novel method to determine the stock machined by the larger tool. An example is included to illustrate the method.