Methods and systems for generating a continuous helical tool path for parts having multiple central axes

A computer-implemented method for generating a continuous helical tool path for forming a sheet metal part having a plurality of central axes, the method comprising:

• generating a computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model comprising a contoured recess having a periphery that includes a plurality of curvature surfaces respectively associated with a plurality of part geometry model central axes;
• performing a tool path algorithm modeling using a computer system comprising at least a computer, a processor device for executing one or more functions of the computer, and a computer readable software program implemented tool path algorithm configured for use with the computer and the processor device, the tool path algorithm modeling comprising:
• defining a starting point location within the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model;
• defining a vector starting from the starting point location;
• defining a helix using a plurality of predetermined helix variables, the helix defined within the contoured recess and revolved around the vector;
• defining a sweeping surface three-dimensional geometry element representing a radial projection of the helix, the sweeping surface three-dimensional geometry element extending radially outwardly from a helix axial centerline, through a plurality of predetermined helix revolutions, to an exterior area that is exterior to the periphery of the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model;
• and
• generating an intersection curve resulting from tracing a continuous curved line of an intersection between the sweeping surface three-dimensional geometry element and a part geometry model surface of the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model, wherein generating the intersection curve further comprises:
• defining the part geometry model surface of the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model to be intersected;
• intersecting between the sweeping surface three-dimensional geometry element and the part geometry model surface of the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model;
• tracing the intersection between the sweeping surface three-dimensional geometry element and the part geometry model surface of the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model as the continuous curved line, by tracing the continuous curved line from an intersection starting point, where the intersection starts and revolves around, to an intersection ending point where the intersection ends;
• and
• resulting in the continuous curved line to generate the intersection curve;
• performing a tool path algorithm execution using the computer system comprising at least the computer, the processor device, and the computer readable software program implemented tool path algorithm, the tool path algorithm execution comprising:
• defining a forming tool stylus using a plurality of forming tool stylus parameters;
• selecting the intersection curve as a guiding element for the forming tool stylus to follow;
• selecting a contact surface of the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model for the forming tool stylus to contact;
• defining a tool axis for the forming tool stylus;
• defining a forming feed rate for the forming tool stylus;
• and
• generating the continuous helical tool path for the forming tool stylus to use to form the sheet metal part having the plurality of central axes, the sheet metal part based on the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model, and the continuous helical tool path including a forming tool stylus centerline path in graphical space;
• and
• using the continuous helical tool path to generate an incremental sheet forming (ISF) machine program for execution on a numerical control incremental sheet forming (ISF) machine that uses an incremental sheet forming (ISF) process and the forming tool stylus to form the sheet metal part having the plurality of central axes.

A system for generating a continuous helical tool path for forming a part having a plurality of central axes, the system comprising:

• a computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model comprising a contoured recess having a periphery that includes a plurality of curvature surfaces respectively associated with a plurality of part geometry model central axes;
• and
• a computer system comprising at least a computer, a processor device for executing one or more functions of the computer, and a computer readable software program implemented tool path algorithm configured to perform via the computer and the processor device, a tool path algorithm modeling and a tool path algorithm execution, wherein the tool path algorithm modeling comprises:
• defining a starting point location within the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model;
• defining a vector starting from the starting point location;
• defining a helix using a plurality of predetermined helix variables, the helix defined within the contoured recess and revolved around the vector;
• defining a sweeping surface three-dimensional geometry element representing a radial projection of the helix, the sweeping surface three-dimensional geometry element extending radially outwardly from a helix axial centerline, through a plurality of predetermined helix revolutions, to an exterior area that is exterior to the periphery of the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model;
• and
• generating an intersection curve resulting from tracing a continuous curved line of an intersection between the sweeping surface three-dimensional geometry element and a part geometry model surface of the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model, wherein generating the intersection curve further comprises:
• defining the part geometry model surface of the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model to be intersected;
• intersecting between the sweeping surface three-dimensional geometry element and the part geometry model surface of the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model;
• tracing the intersection between the sweeping surface three-dimensional geometry element and the part geometry model surface of the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model as the continuous curved line, by tracing the continuous curved line from an intersection starting point, where the intersection starts and revolves around, to an intersection ending point where the intersection ends;
• and
• resulting in the continuous curved line to generate the intersection curve;
• and wherein the tool path algorithm execution comprises:
• defining data for a forming tool stylus used to form the part having the plurality of central axes;
• selecting the intersection curve as a guiding element for the forming tool stylus to follow;
• generating the continuous helical tool path for the forming tool stylus to use to form the part having the plurality of central axes, the part based on the computer-generated three-dimensional part geometry model, and the continuous helical tool path including a forming tool stylus centerline path in graphical space;
• and
• generating a numerical control forming machine program from the continuous helical tool path, for execution on a numerical control forming machine, that uses a numerical control forming process and the forming tool stylus, to form the part having the plurality of central axes.