Numeric implementation of drop and tilt method of 5-axis tool positioning for machining of triangulated surfaces

In this paper, we present an algorithm to find a gouge-free, multipoint of contact tool path for machining a triangulated surface. The algorithm is based on a proven 3-axis method of dropping a generalized radiused end mill on to a triangulated surface to find a gouge-free tool position. This algorithm is wrapped within the bisection algorithm to find a gouge-free 5-axis tool position that touches the triangulated part at two or more points. Our algorithm does not require solving systems of nonlinear equations and has been tested on several parts.