Patents by Inventor Reto Knaak

Reto Knaak has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11904398
    Abstract: A high-speed reciprocating wire cutting process in which a wire electrode is transported and precisely guided across a machining area by means of a wire traveling circuit, whereas the cutting process is conducted by repeatedly: (a) running the wire electrode in a first direction until a first reciprocation position, (b) stopping and inverting the traveling direction of the wire electrode, (c) running the wire electrode in a second direction until a second reciprocation position, and (d) stopping and inverting the traveling direction of the wire electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Agie Charmilles SA
    Inventors: Reto Knaak, Enrico Costi, Roberto Feola, Niccolò Ferrazzi
  • Patent number: 11772177
    Abstract: High-speed wire electrochemical-discharge cutting method (HS-WECDM), in which a work piece is processed by means of a wire electrode, in which consecutive negative polarity pulses are applied at said wire electrode, thereby at least partially developing discrete electrical discharges, wherein the method further includes, applying positive polarity pulses at the wire electrode between the negative pulses, and that an ignition occurring with each positive polarity pulse is immediately detected, and that the positive polarity pulses are immediately interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventors: Marco Taborelli, Reto Knaak
  • Publication number: 20220040775
    Abstract: High-speed wire electrochemical-discharge cutting method (HS-WECDM), in which a work piece is processed by means of a wire electrode, in which consecutive negative polarity pulses are applied at said wire electrode, thereby at least partially developing discrete electrical discharges, wherein the method further includes, applying positive polarity pulses at the wire electrode between the negative pulses, and that an ignition occurring with each positive polarity pulse is immediately detected, and that the positive polarity pulses are immediately interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Marco TABORELLI, Reto KNAAK
  • Publication number: 20220001473
    Abstract: A high-speed reciprocating wire cutting process in which a wire electrode is transported and precisely guided across a machining area by means of a wire traveling circuit, whereas the cutting process is conducted by repeatedly: running the wire electrode in a first direction until a first reciprocation position, stopping and inverting the traveling direction of the wire electrode, running the wire electrode in a second direction until a second reciprocation position, stopping and inverting the traveling direction of the wire electrode. A cutting process interruption sequence is carried out if a cutting process monitoring reveals that the cutting process must be interrupted, whereas the cutting process interruption sequence includes to continue the cutting process until the first or the second wire electrode reciprocation position, and to pause or to stop said cutting process at the wire reciprocation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Reto Knaak, Enrico Costi, Roberto Feola, Niccolò Ferrazzi
  • Patent number: 8792566
    Abstract: An expansion of known serial data links, for example ETHERNET, published in IEEE802.3, for directly transmitting random events without having to carry out synchronization with a clock signal or having to wait for a cyclical transmission time. Two different, random events are represented using two differently coded individual pulses and are transmitted in an event-controlled manner. A jitter-free latency of 45 ns between the event and its reception is possible over a line length of 8 m, for example. The expansion is particularly suitable for the short, digital data links between a node and a plurality of modules, as are required in modern electrical discharge machines, machine tools and similar electronic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: AGIE Charmilles SA
    Inventors: Ernst Buehler, Reto Knaak, Rino D'Amario
  • Patent number: 8369980
    Abstract: A method of operating a machine tool, e.g., an electrical discharge machine, and a machine tool system with a machine, e.g. an electrical discharge machine, for machining a workpiece may include numerous configurable modules (DRIVE; GEN; CONTROL) to perform at least one of controlling, monitoring and carrying out of the machining of a workpiece. The modules (DRIVE; GEN; CONTROL) are arranged on the machine and are linked by a data network to a node for at least one of sending data to the node and receiving data from the node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: AGIE SA, Charmilles Technologies SA
    Inventors: Ernst Buhler, Franck Besson, Rino D'Amario, Nicola Giandomenico, Reto Knaak, Rosario Lombardo, Marco Boccadoro
  • Publication number: 20120243620
    Abstract: An expansion of known serial data links, for example ETHERNET, published in IEEE802.3, for directly transmitting random events without having to carry out synchronization with a clock signal or having to wait for a cyclical transmission time. Two different, random events are represented using two differently coded individual pulses and are transmitted in an event-controlled manner. A jitter-free latency of 45 ns between the event and its reception is possible over a line length of 8 m, for example. The expansion is particularly suitable for the short, digital data links between a node and a plurality of modules, as are required in modern electrical discharge machines, machine tools and similar electronic systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: AGIE CHARMILLES SA
    Inventors: Ernst Buehler, Reto Knaak, Rino D'Amario
  • Patent number: 7948758
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit board unit and a method for production thereof. The circuit board unit comprises a circuit board topmost laminate with conductive tracks on the upper side for mounting surface-mountable devices. The circuit board topmost laminate features a thickness dimensioned such that the anticipated heat dissipated by the surface-mountable devices is transported from the upper side to the underside of the circuit board laminate to good effect. The circuit board unit further comprises an electrically insulating laminate arranged under the circuit board topmost laminate, inserts made of a material with good heat conductivity and electrical insulation embedded in the electrically insulating laminate at sites below surface-mountable devices with high heat dissipation, and a cooling plate arranged below the electrically insulating laminate and the inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignees: Agie Charmilles SA, Charmilles Technologies SA
    Inventors: Ernst Bühler, Rino D'Amario, Reto Knaak
  • Patent number: 7947918
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a generator for generating a time sequence of discharge pulses separated from each other by pulse pauses for electrical discharge machining. At least two pulse capacitors are discharged each in the form of a partial pulse into the spark gap for forming together a discharge pulse. A discharge pulse having a predetermined waveform is selected from a plurality of discharge pulses having differing predetermined waveforms. The discharge of the at least two pulse capacitors is controlled such that the selected discharge pulse is generated with the predetermined waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignees: Agie Charmilles SA, Charmilles Technologies SA
    Inventors: Ernst Buhler, Franck Besson, Rino D'Amario, Nicola Giandomenico, Reto Knaak
  • Patent number: 7816620
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and generator for generating a time sequence of EDM pulses having a predefined ignition voltage for electrical discharge machining. An AC voltage is generated from a DC voltage, furnished by a bipolar current source. The AC voltage is applied to an isolating transformer disposed between the bipolar current source and the spark gap. A first pulse capacitor is charged by the bipolar current source to a voltage corresponding to the ignition voltage. The ignition voltage provided by the isolating transformer is switched with a selected polarity to the spark gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignees: Agie Charmilles SA, Charmilles Technologies SA
    Inventors: Ernst Buhler, Franck Besson, Rino D'Amario, Nicola Giandomenico, Reto Knaak
  • Patent number: 7812277
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a generator for generating a time sequence of discharge pulses for EDM machining wherein a pulse capacitor (22) for generating the discharge pulse is charged with a charging voltage (U_chrg) and then discharged into the spark gap. The pulse capacitor (22) after being discharged is recharged with a charging voltage (U_chrg) having the same polarity as that of the residual voltage (U_end) remaining at the pulse capacitor (22) after its discharge. Thereafter, the pulse capacitor (22) is discharged with a discharge pulse into the spark gap, wherein the polarity of the discharge pulse is independent of the polarity of the charging voltage (U_chrg) at the pulse capacitor (22) after its recharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Agie Charmilles SA, Charmilles Technologies SA
    Inventors: Ernst Buhler, Franck Besson, Rino D'Amario, Nicola Giandomenico, Reto Knaak
  • Publication number: 20080160246
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit board unit and a method for production thereof. The circuit board unit comprises a circuit board topmost laminate with conductive tracks on the upper side for mounting surface-mountable devices. The circuit board topmost laminate features a thickness dimensioned such that the anticipated heat dissipated by the surface-mountable devices is transported from the upper side to the underside of the circuit board laminate to good effect. The circuit board unit further comprises an electrically insulating laminate arranged under the circuit board topmost laminate, inserts made of a material with good heat conductivity and electrical insulation embedded in the electrically insulating laminate at sites below surface-mountable devices with high heat dissipation, and a cooling plate arranged below the electrically insulating laminate and the inserts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Ernst Buhler, Rino D'Amario, Reto Knaak
  • Publication number: 20070039929
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and generator for generating a time sequence of EDM pulses having a predefined ignition voltage for electrical discharge machining. An AC voltage is generated from a DC voltage, furnished by a bipolar current source. The AC voltage is applied to an isolating transformer disposed between the bipolar current source and the spark gap. A first pulse capacitor is charged by the bipolar current source to a voltage corresponding to the ignition voltage. The ignition voltage provided by the isolating transformer is switched with a selected polarity to the spark gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Inventors: Ernst Buhler, Franck Besson, Rino D'Amario, Nicola Giandomenico, Reto Knaak
  • Publication number: 20070023399
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a generator for generating a time sequence of discharge pulses for EDM machining wherein a pulse capacitor (22) for generating the discharge pulse is charged with a charging voltage (U_chrg) and then discharged into the spark gap. The pulse capacitor (22) after being discharged is recharged with a charging voltage (U_chrg) having the same polarity as that of the residual voltage (U_end) remaining at the pulse capacitor (22) after its discharge. Thereafter, the pulse capacitor (22) is discharged with a discharge pulse into the spark gap, wherein the polarity of the discharge pulse is independent of the polarity of the charging voltage (U_chrg) at the pulse capacitor (22) after its recharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Ernst Buhler, Franck Besson, Rino D'Amario, Nicola Giandomenico, Reto Knaak
  • Publication number: 20070027570
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of operating a machine tool, e.g., an electrical discharge machine (4), and a machine tool system comprising a machine (4) for machining a workpiece wherein at least one of controlling, monitoring and carrying out of the machining of the workpiece is performed by a plurality of configurable modules (DRIVE; GEN; CONTROL), said modules (DRIVE; GEN; CONTROL) are arranged on the machine (4), and said modules (DRIVE; GEN; CONTROL) are so linked by a data network (6) to a node (5) for at least one of sending data to said node (5) and receiving data from said node (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicants: AGIE SA, CHARMILLES TECHNOLOGIES SA
    Inventors: Ernst Buhler, Franck Besson, Rino D'Amario, Nicola Giandomenico, Reto Knaak, Rosario Lombardo, Marco Boccadoro
  • Publication number: 20070023400
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a generator for generating a time sequence of discharge pulses separated from each other by pulse pauses for electrical discharge machining. At least two pulse capacitors are discharged each in the form of a partial pulse into the spark gap for forming together a discharge pulse. A discharge pulse having a predetermined waveform is selected from a plurality of discharge pulses having differing predetermined waveforms. The discharge of the at least two pulse capacitors is controlled such that the selected discharge pulse is generated with the predetermined waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventors: Ernst Buhler, Franck Besson, Rino D'Amario, Nicola Giandomenico, Reto Knaak
  • Patent number: 6933457
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrical discharge machining of a workpiece wherein an erosion pulse is applied on the tool electrode. During the time of the erosion pulse the voltage (Ue) set on the electrode is acquired, and the erosion pulse is interrupted, after an asymptotic behavior of the acquired voltage (Ue) or a value derived therefrom has been acquired. Before the interruption of the erosion pulse an increase of current may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Agie SA
    Inventors: Marco Boccadoro, Reto Knaak, Stefano Bonini
  • Publication number: 20040222195
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrical discharge machining of a workpiece wherein an erosion pulse is applied on the tool electrode. During the time of the erosion pulse the voltage (Ue) set on the electrode is acquired, and the erosion pulse is interrupted, after an asymptotic behavior of the acquired voltage (Ue) or a value derived therefrom has been acquired. Before the interruption of the erosion pulse an increase of current may occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Marco Boccadoro, Reto Knaak, Stefano Bonini