Patent ID: 7831332

Claim:
A method implemented in a computer for generating a tool path consisting of a plurality of offset passes for milling a region of a workpiece by a numerical control machine using a milling cutter, the tool path comprising a plurality of first portions, second portions, and transition portions, the first and the second portions being connected end-to-end by the transition portions, the first portions and the second portions in adjacent offset tool passes being separated by a predetermined amount of stepover the method for generating at least one of the transition portions comprising the steps of: determining a radius of a first arc based on the predetermined amount of stepover of the milling cutter; determining a radius of a second arc based on the radius of the first arc and a maximum engagement of the milling cutter; and situating a center of the first arc such that the first arc connects the first portion to the second portion in a tangent continuous manner; situating the second arc such that a center of the second arc is coincident with a center of the first arc connecting adjacent first and second portions; situating a third arc so as to be tangent continuous with a first end of the first arc at a first end of the third arc and intersecting a second end of the first arc at a second end of the third arc; and situating a fourth arc, so as to be: (1) tangent continuous with the second end of the third arc, (2) tangent to the second arc and (3) tangent continuous with either the first portion or the second portion.