Research on tool path planning method for five-axis NC machining based on parallel computation

Parallel computation is an effective technology to improve the executive performance of computer programs. In this paper, a new machining region parallel planning method is presented to generate optimal tool paths for 5-axis sculptured surface machining. Based on existing machining region planning methods, the improved method adopted data decomposition mode and OpenMP to implement the parallel computing strategy. By dividing the part surface into two or more areas, this method can generate tool paths with higher performance and shorter total length. This means it can reduce the cost of 5-axis machining. Computer implementation and examples were shown in this paper to prove the validity of the new method.