A MODIFIED Z-MAP COMPUTATIONAL INTERPOLATION ALGORITHM FOR SURFACE MACHINING SIMULATION

The Z-Map algorithm is one of the most simplistic methods for NC code simulation in obtaining the machined working surface information; therefore, it is often being applied in NC simulation. In this paper, a modified Z-Map computational algorithm was proposed to calculate mesh position and Z coordinates of tool scanning surface according to tool path and initial tool scanning boundary in reducing the long computation time. The proposed algorithm not only can be used to derive straight line and arc machining tool path, but also, can be adopted for helical and spline curves. There is no need to simplify the non-linear curves beforehand. The method proposed in this paper provides a feasible reference for decision about the reliability and suitability of each machining step.