Expert CNC Tool Path Syntheses and Optimization

The proposed technology offers new approaches towards knowledge capture and analysis that enables generation of optimal CNC tool path sequences. The CNC path sequences generated by our proposed expert knowledge base will be as optimal as those produced byhuman experts, but in significantly less time. The proposed approach is based on use of a process meta-language and visual tools for capturing a descriptive and accurate process model from one or more CNC experts. Using the captured process model, we willcreate a computer model of the expert and use it to generate a highly pruned game tree. The generated tree will represent all the acceptable tool selections and path strategies deemed `good' by the expert. Application of a min-max optimization algorithmto this game tree will then produce a near optimal CNC tool selection and path strategy. The tree must be highly pruned and each node should represent a particular tool and its associated path constraints. To determine the actual tree structure,variables, and pruning rules, we will rely on the process model extracted from the CNC expert. The primary commercial application will include new tools for capture and use of expert CNC knowledge. These tools will create and optimize tool paths forcomplex components using knowledge captured from CNC manufacturing experts. This will enable tools and methods that can optimize production of complex, three-dimensional, asymmetric machined components.