2D Tool-Path Generation Method for Multi-Axis Milling Machine using ToF camera

Multi-axis machines are known for their precise production of complex parts, where multi-tool are working in the same area or static workpiece support or clamping parts, may cause collision problems. It is therefore necessary to identify potential collision risks and avoid them in an efficient way, which may cause production stops and machinery damage. This research study has been focusing on safe non-functional (rapid) tool-path generation for multi-axis milling machine, where no efficient automatic collision avoidance solution exists (in the literature). A 3D Time of Flight (TOF) camera attached into the machine will be able to sense any unwanted situation in the manufacturing environment and provide rapid and automatic solution to detect and avoid collisions for safe tool movements during production. In the presence of obstacles, the proposed approach will provide decisions regarding tool-path correction and improvement automatically. The proposed algorithm based on 3D vision concept is also able to take into account unknown obstacle shape, size during production but dynamic aspects of the scene will be treated in future. The concept presented take into account the 3D information from the scene for traversal safe tool-paths generation for a static environment as an initial application, which will be adapted to more complex real machining scenarios by integrating it with STEP-NC technology in future.