Abstract In this paper, real-time Pythagorean hodograph (P-H) curve CNC interpolators are used for high speed corner machining. There are large contouring errors around sharp corners when low-bandwidth servo controllers (such as P-PI control) are used. In order to decrease the amount of the cornering errors, an improved interpolation method is proposed. The first deceleration phase of motion and the over-corner P-H curve constructed for regions with sharp corners are devised by quadratic and constant velocity interpolation algorithms, respectively. The geometric parameters of the over-corner P-H curve and the feed rate along the modified tool path are computed by pattern search algorithm in order to reduce the maximum cornering error. The proposed interpolation algorithm is implemented for symmetrical and unsymmetrical corners. The results of simulation, such as the cornering error and the total cornering time, are compared with previously published methods. It has been observed that the developed overcorner P-H approach can substantially reduce the amount of cornering error.

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