Implementation of a 5-Axis Milling Simulation System Using Triple Dexel Models
Masatomo Inui, Nobuyuki Umezu · Journal of the Japan Society for Precision Engineering · 2010
In the triple dexel model, object shape is represented by 3 groups of axis aligned segments named x-axis dexels, y-axis dexels, and z-axis dexels. Triple dexel model is known as compact and precise representation compared with other discrete solid representation schemes. Based on the triple dexel representation, a new 5-axis milling simulation system is developed. Differently from prior systems, this system uses GPU technology for accelerating 3 important processing steps in the milling simulation, which are (1) cutter swept volume generation, (2) subtraction of the swept volume from the workpiece solid model, and (3) update of the workpiece picture for achieving smooth animation of the milling process. An experimental system is implemented and some computational experiments are performed. Our system can realize a simulation of a complex 5-axis milling process in a few minutes. The animation speed is generally more than 100 frames per second.