An efficient three-axis numerically controlled rough-cutting machining approach on five-axis machine for an integral centrifugal impeller

To improve the machining efficiency for the conventional five-axis numerically controlled (nc) machining of a centrifugal impeller, this paper presents an efficient simultaneous three-axis nc machining approach on five-axis machine instead of simultaneous five-axis nc machining technology. on the basis of the characteristic curves of an impeller and its projection graphs, the rough-cut surface of blades is partitioned into several unit machining regions (umrs). the rotating and tilting angles of a five-axis machine bed are calculated and fixed in advance to support the simultaneous three-axis nc machining of each umr. tool paths with a zigzag shape are generated to avoid interference and collision between the cutter and the impeller blades based on the simultaneous three-axis control approach on five-axis machine bed. a prototype model of an impeller with nine blades is established, and its final tool paths in each umr are verified by means of a cutting simulation function on vericut software. simulation results demonstrate that the simultaneous three-axis machining approach on five-axis machine bed can significantly improve the machining efficiency compared to the conventional five-axis machining technology.