A Review of Vector Field-Based Tool Path Planning for CNC Machining of Complex Surfaces

With the development of modern manufacturing industry, complex surface parts are more and more widely used in aerospace, automobile manufacturing, the shipbuilding industry, and many other fields; furthermore, their machining demand is growing explosively, and CNC machining technology has become the mainstream machining method of complex surface parts because of its high precision and high efficiency. However, CNC machining of complex surfaces faces many challenges, especially the generation and optimization of tool trajectories. Therefore, vector field-based tool path planning methods have emerged, aiming to improve the efficiency and accuracy of CNC machining of complex surfaces. This paper focuses on the tool trajectory optimization problem in CNC machining of complex surfaces and reviews the current research status of vector field-based tool path planning for surface machining. The study explores the concept of symmetry in the design of tool paths, highlighting the importance of symmetrical vector fields in achieving efficient and high-precision machining. By analyzing the symmetrical properties of complex surfaces and the corresponding vector fields, this paper discusses the current status, difficulties, and core problems of relevant methods, pointing out the direction of breakthroughs and the future development trend. The findings provide a reference and basis for the realization of efficient and high-precision CNC machining of complex surfaces.