LAUSR

Abstract This work studies the relationship between different geometrical parameters of the contour of a polygonal pocket and the time needed to machining that pocket, using zigzag strategy. The geometrical parameters used to characterize the pockets are typical of image analysis techniques: form factor, elongation index and minimal enclosing circle ratio. Ten different polygonal pockets were studied, all with the same area. The time invested in each case was measured experimentally. The results show that there is a relationship between the three geometric parameters and the time invested in pocketing. These results can be useful for designers to estimate a priori the polygonal geometries whose machining consumes less time.