Abstract: Five-axis numerical control machining is an effective means to improve the machining quality and efficiency of the sculptured surface. However, the complexities of the sculptured surface shape and the 5-axis machine tool movement make it very difficult to plan the tool paths. Aiming at the key techniques in the field of end milling, flank milling and collision analysis of 5-axis sculptured surface machining, the current research progresses of 5-axis tool path planning for sculptured surfaces machining are summarized. In view of the engineering practicability requirement, the deficiencies existing in the current research are analyzed. It is pointed out that the current research achievements cannot completely satisfy the engineering application in respect of universality, stability and validity, and that the research of the tool path planning for 5-axis sculptured surface machining should proceed from the viewpoint of three dimensions, and the geometrical meshing relationship between the cutter and the sculptured surface should be researched in a wider cutter influence space . Meanwhile, the kinematics and dynamics characteristics of 5-axis machine tool must be taken into account during the tool path planning process in order to achieve high speed and efficient running of 5-axis machine tool.

Key words: 5-axis machining, Collision interference, End milling, Flank milling, Sculptured surfaces