Computer Aided Manufacturing of Machine Parts by Volume Building

Abstract

A system of geometric modelling for the CAM of machine parts is described. The system is known as the MODCON system which stands for MODular CONstruction. The purpose of the system is (a) to facilitate the manufacturing of the 3-D geometrical machine parts with the aid of N.C. machining and (b) to generate data such as volume and centroid of the machine part manufactured. When using MODCON system, the machine part to be manufactured is defined as a series of simple volumetric modules which are merged together to from the whole shape required. This approach allows a wide range of 3-D shapes to be defined and N.C. machined with relatively few simple input instructions. Currently, the MODCON system is being applied to the CAM of EDM electrodes for dies and moulds in the forging and casting industry.