Bitmap picture to toolpaths converter for NC machine

Abstract

A simple method to create the toolpaths from bitmap picture of the workpiece for NC machine is described in this article. Halftone process is used to reproduce a continuous tone picture to binary tone picture for making a prototype picture. The obtained two dimensions picture with halftone process is employed to create the toolpaths of the sample workpiece. The workpiece dimension can be scaled to limitation of work table of NC machine by user with independent of picture resolution. The toolpaths are created as cutter location data (CL) that can be imported to postprocessor for NC machine. The proposed method is developed using visual C# programming language under window environment. Experimental implementation exhibits that the proposed bitmap picture to toolpath converter is efficient for the postprocessor to generate machine command for sculpture the workpiece from bitmap picture. ©ICROS.