Interactive CNC simulation using distance fields

• Published in: International journal of computer integrated manufacturing Vol. 31; no. 10; pp. 992 - 1004
• Main Authors: Hasegawa, Allan Yoshio, Rosso, Roberto Silvio Ubertino, Tsuzuki, Marcos de Sales Guerra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 03-10-2018
• Subjects: CNC simulation; interactive rendering; signed distance fields; virtual manufacturing
• ISSN: 0951-192X; 1362-3052
• DOI: 10.1080/0951192X.2018.1481298

Real-time simulation of numerical control machining is important to the virtual manufacturing process. It is used to optimise the product design and production plan on a virtual environment, thus saving on the overall manufacturing cost and time. A real-time geometric simulation is desirable because the faster is the simulation, the greater is its capabilities to detect errors. Real-time interactive simulation allows faster iterations in the design phase. However, a precise and real-time interactive simulation is a difficult problem because it requires an efficient representation for complex dynamic volumes while offering interactive real-time rendering of the scene. This research proposes a novel solution for precise and real-time interactive CNC (Computer Numerical Control) simulation using signed distance fields (SDFs) with a data structure for dynamic narrow-band level sets called VDB. The real-time interactive rendering is then solved with a ray-casting algorithm. Tests were performed and SDF was concluded to provide efficient Boolean operations and memory usage, and real-time interactive rendering of its models was possible using ray casting.