An integrated surface modeling and machining approach for a marine propeller

For given data points on different cylindrical section curves of marine propeller during the design period, the fair fitting method with the least squares of the cubic B-spline curve has been used to form cylindrical section curves with different radius. Then the control points of the cylindrical section curves were used as new data points to process fair fitting in another direction, and the pressure surface and the suction surface of the propeller can be acquired at last. Aims to overcome disadvantages of the present machining method of propeller, such as lower machining precision and efficiency, repeated clamping, and limited machining scope, a new machining method-the second order osculating machining method-has been presented. By using this method, not only the cylindrical cutter and the machined surface can keep line contact, but also the propeller can be machined with one clamping. It's very suitable for the machining of propeller with larger projected area ratio and the machining precision and efficiency will be improved.