System and method for generating optimal lattice tool paths

A tool-path generating system for reducing surface roughness of a workpiece to be processed by a computer numerical control (CNC) machine, comprising:

• an interface configured to receive computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) path data via a network;
• a memory configured to store a computer-executable program including a lower convex hull determining method for determining lower convex hull and a dynamic programing algorithm;
• a processor, in connection with the memory, configured to execute the computer-executable program, wherein the program causes the processor to perform steps comprising:
• providing a coordinate system including admissible points;
• forming, from the CAM path data, a target polyline on the coordinate system, wherein the target polyline represents an approximated surface line of an object;
• dividing the target polyline into line segments;
• generating a set of rational vectors by approximating slopes of the line segments based on the lower convex hull;
• arranging the rational vectors to form lower convex hull lines arranged on or above corresponding line segments, wherein the lower convex hull lines are arranged onto the admissible points, wherein the admissible points are on or above the corresponding line segments;
• selecting a set of endpoints of the lower convex hull lines;
• and
• generating a tool path data by merging the endpoints based on the dynamic programing algorithm, wherein the tool path data is arranged to lay on or above the target polyline, such that a tool motion of the CNC machine is controlled based on the tool path data along a surface of the object without gouging the surface of the object.