Accelerating tool path computing in CAD/CAM: A FPGA architecture for turning lathe machining

Tool path generation is one of the most complex problems in Computer Aided Manufacturing. The algorithm called Virtual Digitizing avoids this problem by its own definition but its computing cost is high. Presented in the paper there is a Virtual Digitizing hardware/software architecture that takes advantage of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) to improve the algorithm efficiency and to meet the current restrictions of the traditional no standard machines. In order to evaluate the architecture, a prototype was implemented using a commercial reconfigurable platform integrated within a numerically controlled lathe for shoe last machining. The performance of the system for tool path generation was measured for different trajectories and surface precisions using a database of real shoe models. The experiments show a significant speedup, keeping the computing error below the system tolerance.