Abstract: On a given substrate are successively formed electrode patterns constituting electrode wirings for measuring points, respectively. Then, an insulating layer and an underlayer covering the electrode patterns are etched and removed to expose the substrate, which suffers from anisotropic etching using a given etching solution, to fabricate a multipoint minute electrode with a sharpened probe and a supporter for the probe.

Abstract: An intelligent machining system employs a neural network for calculating machining conditions on the basis of attribute data or a workpiece and a grinding machine. The system comprises a reference machining condition calculating unit, a neural network which receives the attribute data and provides corrections, and a correcting unit for correcting the reference machining conditions by using the corrections. Corrections which cannot be determined by means of empirical expressions or theoretical expressions are determined appropriately by the neural network previously learned. The system determines corrections for the machining conditions on the basis of machining errors decided by a neural network. The system also detects time-series machining phenomena by sensors, processes the output detection signals of the sensors by a neural network to obtain machining circumstance data. The feed rate of the tool is controlled by a fuzzy inference on the basis of the machining circumstance data.

Abstract: In the conventional CAD or CAM system, when a shape must be defined, it should use mathematical models which are formed by B-Reps or CSG method. B-Reps method is more complicated than CSG in data structure and in processing. This invention attempts to utilize merits of the CSG method, express component elements of a three-dimensional solid model in a hierarchical structure so that an element of a a higher order can relocate another element of a lower order on its coordinate system, and an interactive operation can be employed in defining. This method allows an operator to ascertain the progress of the works with his/her own eyes to greatly simplify the works of shape defining of solid models.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking the input-output characteristic of a neural network which has an input layer, an intermediate layer and an output layer. Plural nodes of the input layer are related to plural nodes of the intermediate layer with plural connection weights while the plural nodes of the intermediate layer are also related to plural nodes of the output layer with plural connection weights. One of the nodes of the input layer is selected as a variable input element while the rest of the nodes are regarded as fixed input elements. A variable data input to the variable input element is varied within a predetermined variation range, while data input to the fixed input elements are fixed, so as to detect how the components of output data from the output layer change. The detected changes of the components of the output data are displayed as the input-output characteristic of the neural network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a processing apparatus capable of optimizing its rule base comprising a plurality of rules having an antecedent and a consequent each. The antecedent contains input conditions of machining, and the consequent describes the result of machining. The antecedents are applied to input condition data. The consequents of the applied rules yield machining result data that are evaluated for rule fitness. When the rule base is updated, some rules are deleted and some preserved depending on their degrees of fitness. Between given two rules having the same consequent, any number of corresponding conditional elements in their antecedents are exchanged so as to generate new rules. The process is repeated until the rule base is optimized. With the antecedents of rules applied to input condition data and with the consequents of the applied rules yielding machining result data, those data may be modified according to modification request data.

Abstract: The issue of tool path generation has so far been approached from points of automatic programming system on typified by APT. In the automatic programming system, however, patterns of workpieces should be recognized by operators, and if the workpieces are of complicated shapes, it should require much skill and time. Studies have been conducted in recent years to generate tool paths by building up in advance solid models in a computer, and modifying the models for a particular problem everytime it needs to be solved. According to this invention method, a required shape and an environmental model including a workpiece are modeled in three-dimensions by using CSG models, and are offset in a normal direction of the surface in correspondence to the tool radius to convert the tool into a line tool so that the problem is replaced with a graphic problem viewed from the tool axis direction.