Automatic generation of a set of contiguous surface patches on a

Abstract

A method of operating a computer for generating a plurality of machine tool paths for machining an object from a set of contiguous surface patches arranged on and approximating a computer representation of a solid model is provided. The method includes the steps constructing an equilateral triangle defined by a plurality of surface points, each surface point having a gradient vector substantially normal to the surface of the blended solid model. Using this triangle as a starting point, a series of steps are performed. A current edge having end points is determined from one of the constructed triangle edges. A candidate point positioned equidistant from the end points of the current edge is generated on the blended surface exterior to the constructed triangle. A subsequent triangle is constructed from the candidate point using the current edge as the subsequent triangle base. The subsequent triangle is defined by a plurality of surface points, each surface point having a gradient vector substantially normal to the surface of the solid model. The series of steps are repeated in sequential order upon a previously constructed triangle until the resulting triangular mesh covers a predetermined portion of the solid model. The set of surface points and corresponding gradient vectors which define the surfaces are used to define the set of surface patches and generate the plurality of machine tool paths corresponding to the blended surface for machining the object.