Study on symmetrical machining technology

In order to promote machining efficiency of large symmetrical freeform surfaces, a new concept of symmetrical machining is put forward. In addition, problems of collision among cutters or headstocks and machining residue in symmetrical machining are studied in this paper. Through an example of a twin-skeg ship model surface, the design principles of 4-axis symmetrical machine tool are proposed and tool path planning of symmetrical machining is investigated. Based on the above research work, a 4-axis symmetrical machine tool for a ship model surface has been developed. The machining efficiency of the symmetrical machine tool is 85% higher than that of traditional machine tool with a single cutter. Furthermore, the overall cost of the symmetrical machine tool is reduced by saving one set of servo drive system.