Help with robot tool path

Hi all,

I'm working on a definition to generate a tool-path for 6 axis robotic arm in grasshopper, with the attempt to move from a surface to a mold, similar process like this movie:

https://vimeo.com/20865285

here are my concerns:

1. I'm subdividing the surface to curves with equal distances from one another using a project function from a bounding box, which I first contoured it's upper face.

2. I'm subdividing the curves into points with equal distances and getting the surface normals at those points.

3. I'm connecting the curves at the end to imitate a zigzag movement.

4. And last I'm trying to connect these curves to the work piece to finalize the job (which I still haven't really figure out yet).

However something in this process (definition wise or process wise) doesn't work and I'm super frustrated :(

Perhaps I should change my strategy or one of the steps.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by WT4 on February 7, 2014 at 4:12am

Why not extract the uv parameters of the surface. This gives you the coordinates as well as the normal vectors at those points which you can use to orientate the cutter. The other alternative is to download the plug-in from www.robofold.com. I am not sure to what level the free version takes you. I have a feeling that there is a fee to be paid if you want to generate the program to drive the robotic arm.

Permalink Reply by Marsel San on February 9, 2014 at 12:35am

They are just random numbers

Extracting the UV parameters won't help me extract curve at a specific distance

I'm looking for something that is free

robofold.com does not supply the right tools for my process

Permalink Reply by rob on May 2, 2015 at 11:18am

Hello dear Marsel San, I'm also trying to do the milling with a robot, asked recently in one company, they asked for 4000 euros, I want to try on their own... tell me how You progress? what do you think, is this even feasible? thanks

Permalink Reply by Ethan on May 2, 2015 at 1:12pm