Abstract This work presents a method for machining
complexthree-dimensional surfaces usingonly oneaxis of
controlled motion for positioning a cutting tool on a
specially designed numerically controlled (NC) machine.
This single controlled axis lathe is configured like a lathe,
but is used to produce complex sculptured surfaces out of
wood. This is accomplished by mechanically linking two
axesofmotiontoproduceafixedhelicalfootprintofatool
path with constant step-over distance. As the linked axes
are rotated, their location is measured by an encoder and
passed directly to a personal computer (PC). Software
running on the PC determines the depth of the computer-
controlled axis. The depth information is used to control
the depth axis. Several test pieces have been machined out
of cedar for evaluating the method.
