Toolpath evaluation method, toolpath generation method, and toolpath generation device

A toolpath generation device generating a toolpath when a rotary tool moves relative to a workpiece while processing the workpiece, the toolpath generation device comprising:

• a calculating unit using a predetermined target toolpath and a shape of the workpiece before processing by the target toolpath as a basis to calculate a size of a contact area predicted to actually be in contact with the workpiece during processing by the target toolpath at a bottom surface portion of the rotary tool intersecting a rotational axis of the tool, wherein the bottom surface portion is in a form of a flat shaped end face or a curved end face included in a virtual cone defined by a curved bottom and a vertex on the rotational axis;
• a moved path generating unit generating a moved toolpath obtained by moving the target toolpath when the size of the contact area exceeds a predetermined threshold value until the size of the contact area becomes the threshold value or less;
• and
• an auxiliary path generating unit generating an auxiliary toolpath for processing a still uncut part remaining at a processed workpiece resulting from the moved toolpath.

A toolpath generation device generating a toolpath when a rotary tool moves relative to a workpiece while processing the workpiece, the toolpath generation device comprising:

• a calculating unit using a predetermined target toolpath and a shape of the workpiece before processing by the target toolpath as a basis to find a contact area predicted to actually be in contact with the workpiece during processing by the target toolpath at a bottom surface portion of the rotary tool intersecting a rotational axis of the tool, wherein the bottom surface portion is in a form of a flat shaped end face or a curved end face included in a virtual cone defined by a curved bottom and a vertex on the rotational axis;
• a moved path generating unit generating a moved toolpath obtained by moving the target toolpath when at least part of the contact area overlaps a predetermined center area at a bottom surface portion until the contact area as a whole separates from the center area;
• and
• an auxiliary path generating unit generating an auxiliary toolpath for processing a still uncut part remaining at a processed workpiece resulting from the moved toolpath.