Optimal tool selection for 2.5D milling, part 1: a solid-modeling approach for construction of the Voronoi mountain

Cutter selection is a critical subtask of machining process planning. In this two-part series, we develop a robust approach for the selection of an optimal set of milling cutters for a 2.5D generalized pocket. In the first article ( part 1), we present a solid modeling approach for the construction of the Voronoi mountain for the pocket geometry, which is a 3D extension of the Voronoi diagram. The major contributions of this work include: ( 1) the development of a robust and systematic procedure for construction of the Voronoi mountain for a multiply-connected curvilinear polygon; and ( b) an extension of the Voronoi mountain concept to handle open edges.