Surface Modeling as a Tool for Visualization and Analysis of Machining Problems

摘要

The current level of computer modeling exceeds the requirements for a tool for replacing manual drawing. It has become the tool for solving important, often innovative, scientific, and manufacturing tasks. Therefore, learning to use different modeling software products for formulating and solving work tasks is an essential methodological component of training. Consequently, it is an important task of training high-class specialists. This paper proposes methodological basics of forming transient surfaces and ruled helical surfaces of cutting tools' flutes using CATLA V5 or CATIA V6 software. These surfaces are very complex spatial objects, and students have difficulty representing them in 2D form. The paper shows that using three-dimensional visualization allows students not only see a spatial object from all viewpoints and compare it with real material objects but also analyze the changes in the transient surface and helical surface of the cutting tool flute by varying the parameters of a machining operation. Such skills give the students rich possibilities in future design work. Besides, the paper shows the advantages of surface modeling compared to solid modeling, as the solution to the problems considered is not burdened by a full-scale model of a cutting tool. It is merely based on the spatial orientation of cutting edges or generating lines of a ruled helical surface.