A double circular arc fitting algorithm for CNC machining of non-uniform scroll components

• Published in: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology Vol. 104; no. 9-12; pp. 4485 - 4495
• Main Authors: Wu, Zaixin, Liu, Tao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01.10.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Air conditioners; Algorithms; CAD/CAM; CAE) and Design; Compressors; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Engineering; Industrial and Production Engineering; Machine tools; Mathematical analysis; Mechanical Engineering; Media Management; Milling machines; Numerical controls; Numerical methods; Original Article; Refrigeration; Thickness; Double circular arc; Non-uniform scroll profile; Precision; Scroll compressor; Finish machining
• ISSN: 0268-3768; 1433-3015
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-019-04304-x

Scroll compressors have been widely used in refrigeration and air conditioners. The manufacturing of scroll components with complex shape and of high precision constitutes a very important task in guaranteeing the performance of a scroll compressor. Uniform scrolls with constant wrap thickness may be availably machined by generating method. However, for the machining of non-uniform scrolls with variable wrap thickness, the generating method is no longer applicable. The current practice in the machining of non-uniform scrolls is to apply a numerical method using CAD/CAM software in a CNC milling machine. This process is data-intensive and the machining quality is not reliable as the tool path generated does not have G1 continuity. In this paper, the authors present a double circular arc (DCA) fitting algorithm for high-precision manufacturing of non-uniform scroll components. The proposed algorithm is validated by cutting experiments on a CNC milling machine, which incorporates the DCA fitting algorithm–based finishing machining and NC tool path code generation. Test results have shown that the application of DCA fitting algorithm to non-uniform scroll machining is effective, not only in decreasing the number of generated tool path points, but also with satisfied machining precision.