System and Method For Locating Clamping Points For A Part To Be Manufactured Through Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining Operations With The Aid Of A Digital Computer

A system for locating clamping points for a part to be manufactured through computer numerical control (CNC) machining operations with the aid of a digital computer, comprising:

• a storage of digital information comprising:
• a model of a part to be machined, the model defining the part's surfaces and a constraint volume;
• and
• parameters for a CNC machining tool, the parameters comprising a plurality of orientations at which the tool is able to longitudinally traverse a rotating cutting edge;
• and
• a computer comprising a processor and memory operatively coupled to the storage, comprising:
• an identification module configured to identify fixturable regions comprising locations on the part's surfaces that cannot be approached by either the CNC tool in motion or a clamp;
• an evaluation module configured to evaluate reachable locations comprising collisions with the CNC tool through ray intersections from locations in the fixturable regions and sweeps of the CNC tool in each approach from the locations;
• a generator module configured to generate fixturable locations by finding form closure based on those reachable locations on the part's surface that do not result in a ray intersection;
• and
• a programming module configured to program the CNC tool with process plans downloaded by the computer and comprising machining operations by the CNC tool with the part fixtured using the fixturable locations,
• wherein the CNC tool operates per the machining operations in the downloaded process plans by machining off the removal volumes through longitudinal traversals of the rotating cutting edge over the surfaces of the part.