Patent ID: 8428768

Claim:
A computer-enabled method of determining a sequence of five-axis operations to be performed by a cutting tool of a machining station on a workpiece, the method comprising: receiving a machining pattern; defining an orientation of an axis of the cutting tool with respect to the workpiece; receiving the orientation of at least one of the axes of the cutting tool; defining one or more rules for at least one of: (a) approaching the workpiece; (b) departing the workpiece; and (c) linking two or more sub-areas of the determined area of the workpiece to be machined; determining a sequence of movements of the cutting tool having five axes of operation, the determination based on the received machining pattern and the received orientation of at least one of the axes of the cutting tool, wherein the determined sequence of movements of the cutting tool is a member of a set of movements of the cutting tool; and converting into one or more machine instructions at least one of: (a) a determined area of the workpiece to be machined; (b) the machining pattern; (c) the received orientation of at least one of the axes of the cutting tool; and (d) at least one of the defined rules for approaching the workpiece, departing the workpiece, and linking two or more sub-areas of the area of the workpiece to be machined.