Flank cutting can be effectively employed to machine ruled surfaces instead of traditional point cutting. In consideration of reducing discrepancies between designed and machined twisted ruled surfaces, an analytical model is established to account for undercutting incurred in flank milling by the use of cylindrical cutters. Based on the model, the twist angle, the ruling length, and the size of the used cutter relating to the magnitude of undercutting are observed. By flank milling twisted ruled blade surfaces of an impeller, an application example is given to show the developed 5-axis flank milling technique based on a type of a 5-axis machine tool.

Referring to machining technologies used for turbomachinery components, generally there are two cutting strategies: point cutting and flank cutting. Based on considerations of the cost, efficiency, and surface roughness, flank cutting by using a five-axis machining tool is a promising way to machine blade surfaces of turbomachinery components constructed by ruled surfaces. In this article, a flank cutting technology for centrifugal compressor impellers is developed by using the B-spline curve interpolation, ruled surface construction, and coordinate transformations. Also, an impeller with twelve blades is actually machined to verify the proposed approach by using a five-axis machining center.

Referring to machining technologies used for turbomachinery components, generally there are two cutting strategies: point cutting and flank cutting. Based on considerations of the cost, efficiency, and surface roughness, flank cutting by using a five-axis machining tool is a promising way to machine blade surfaces of turbomachinery components constructed by ruled surfaces. In this article, a flank cutting technology for centrifugal compressor impellers is developed by using the B-spline curve interpolation, ruled surface construction, and coordinate transformations. Also, an impeller with 12 blades is actually machined to verify the proposed approach by using a five-axis machining center.