C-Space based approach for the calculation of toolpaths for freeform surfaces in B-Spline description

The usage of B-Spline toolpath for the machining of freeform surfaces offers advantages compared to linear interpolated toolpaths, since the continuous and continuous derivable splines allow the machine tool to move with higher speeds. Common CAM systems can calculate spline interpolated toolpath using triangulations, that discretisise spline data models of the workpieces. This paper presents new methods based on the C-Space approach. Cutter location surfaces in B-Spline description are generated and toolpaths are calculated by projecting guide curves onto these surfaces. All hereby used algorithms utilise the B-Spline description without any discretisation.