Spiral machining tool path generation for blade with compound surfaces

To improve the blade machining quality and the existing spiral machining strategy, a novel four-axis spiral machining approach for blade with compound surfaces was presented. In the modeling processes, the blade surface was divided into four patches, namely the suction surface, the pressure surface, the leading and trailing edge surfaces. Based on the Computer Aided Design (CAD) model of blade with compound surfaces, the spiral cutter contact points'calculation formula and machining tool path generation method were proposed. Finally, based on the UG software platform, the numerical control module was programmed by second development. And the smooth and continuous spriral machining tool path for blade was generated. Experimental result showed that the presented method could realize the four-axis spiral machining of blade and improve the blade machining quality.