High accuracy NC milling simulation using composite adaptively sampled distance fields

We describe a new approach to shape representation called a composite adaptively sampled distance field (composite ADF) and describe its application to NC milling simulation. In a composite ADF each shape is represented by an analytic or procedural signed Euclidean distance field and the milled workpiece is given as the Boolean difference between distance fields representing the original workpiece volume and distance fields representing the volumes of the milling tool swept along the prescribed milling path. The computation of distance field of the swept volume of a milling tool is handled by an inverted trajectory approach where the problem is solved in tool coordinate frame instead of a world coordinate frame. An octree bounding volume hierarchy is used to sample the distance functions and provides spatial localization of geometric operations thereby dramatically increasing the speed of the system. The new method enables very fast simulation, especially of free-form surfaces, with accuracy better than 1 micron, and low memory requirements. We describe an implementation of 3 and 5-axis milling simulation.

► We describe a new method of NC milling simulation based on composite ADFs.
► Distance fields of swept tools are computed using an inverse trajectory method.
► Composite ADFs provide a very fast, accurate representation of shape using low memory.
► Comparison to real milled workpiece confirms the excellent simulation results.