MagicNC

TL;DR

5-axis multi-tool adaptive clearing milling toolpath.

What

Input

  1. A 3D model of the part to be machined, in STEP format.
  2. A tool library of tools ready for use on the machine.
  3. Preferred stock size (optional).

Output

  1. G-code to run on the 5-axis mill.
  2. Stock size.
  3. Stock orientation.

Why

The foundation for a fully automated CNC pipeline to finish any millable part in one 5-axis operation (this component), followed by a 3-axis operation (with a self-centering vise and machined aluminium soft jaws).

Simplification

To make this project feasible to be done as a class project, the simplification that the part is consist of only flat surfaces and cylindrical features. The assumption that the part is can be made on a mill by a machinest is made.

How

The project will be using Onshape as 3D modeling infrustrature, and therefore do most of the coding using FeatureScript.

High-level Modules

  1. Importer: import STEP file to Onshape
  2. Orienter: decide which orientation the part should be placed so that after this 5-axis operation, the rest of the features can be made using a 3-axis operation.
  3. Milling
    1. Congress: decide which tool is going to remove which part of the material. Iterate through all endmills in the library to generate “removable materials” by each endmill and use Dynamics Programming to solve this Knapsack Problem.
    2. Volume2toolpath: for each tool, translate “material to be removed” to toolpath.
  4. Drilling: finish cylendrical features using drilling operations.
  5. Post Processor: translate toolpath into machine-specific G-code.

Founder Market Fit

Charles possesses solid programming skills. He began participating in coding competitions since middle school and majored in computer science at Peking University. He has completed internships at Google, Microsoft, and an AI unicorn, working on projects ranging from backend development to neural network architecture.

Charles also has a strong foundation in computational design. He started by writing his topology optimization code as a class project and then embarked on an ongoing project to design a NOx-free hydrogen combustor for gas turbines using multiphysics-simulation-guided topology optimization.

Furthermore, Charles has excellent machining skills. He has served as a mentor at multiple machine shops at MIT, developing training programs and for-credit class on machining. He has extensive experience in 5-axis machining of advanced materials like Ti-6Al-4V and Inconel 718, making complex parts such as centrifugal compressors.

Competitors

Progress Record