Adaptive (optimizing) System Patents (Class 700/173)
  • Patent number: 8055375
    Abstract: A guidance system of an industrial process captures process parameter data that is correlated with a human-machine interface (HMI) in order to learn how an experienced operator selects visualizations of key performance indicators (KPI) in order to take a corrective action to address an abnormal or non-optimal performance condition. Such solution learning can be invoked to recognize onset of another similar occurrence and responding by suggesting visualizations utilized by the experienced operator to diagnose the problem. Analytics can further determine which visualizations provided useful information relative to the problem. In addition, the corrective action can be suggested or automatically implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan Pingel, Micheal John Pantaleano, Bruce Gordon Fuller, Robert Joseph McGreevy, Ian Edward Tooke, Kevin John Albert, John Joseph Baier
  • Publication number: 20110264257
    Abstract: A closed-loop feedback system and method for performing a machining operation. A tool's operational properties are measured in real-time. The operating parameters of the machining process are adjusted in real-time based on the measured properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Prototype Productions, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe V. Travez, John Binette, Jose M. Travez, Ben Feldman, Don McLaughlin, Italo Travez
  • Patent number: 8041447
    Abstract: A numerical controller controlling a 5-axis machine tool compensates setting error that arises when a workpiece is set on the table. Error in the three linear axes and the two rotation axes are compensated using preset error amounts to keep the calculated tool position and tool direction in a command coordinate system. If a trigonometric function used for error compensation has a plurality of solution sets, the solution set closest to the tool direction in the command coordinate system is selected from the plurality of solution sets and used as the positions of the two rotation axes compensated in the above error compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: FANUC Ltd
    Inventors: Toshiaki Otsuki, Soichiro Ide, Takafumi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8010224
    Abstract: A plasma cutting device performs cutting in a plurality of stages. In a first cutting sub-process, a manufactured product is cut out from a base material upon a stage according to an NC program. Next, images of respective regions in the vicinities of proper positions at two corner points of the manufactured product which has been cut out are photographed by an image sensor, the actual positions of these two corner points of the manufactured product are detected from these images which have been photographed, and the translation distances and the rotational angle between the actual positions which have been detected and the proper positions are calculated. The NC program is corrected. And, in a subsequent cutting sub-process, additional cutting for beveling is carried out upon cutting surfaces at the outer circumference of the manufactured product, according to the corrected NC program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Komatsu Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yamaguchi, Ikuo Kamada, Takahiro Iriyama
  • Patent number: 8005566
    Abstract: A measurement/correction system for use in machining an inclined slide core hole includes means for executing a measurement program which, after machining of an intermediate pocket hole in a mold surface, measures the position of the center of a rod hole in a seating surface of the intermediate pocket and the position of the seating surface of the intermediate pocket. Arithmetic means calculates the coordinates of an actual reference point of the rod hole from the measurements. Correction means compares the measured position of the reference point with the reference point previously set in a machining program, and, if there is an error, rewrites the coordinates of the reference point in the program to the measured coordinates. The corrected machining program is executed with the rewritten reference point in order to carry out machining of the core pocket while expanding the intermediate pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouichi Katoh, Takamasa Itoh, Tsuyoshi Fujita, Masaru Usui
  • Publication number: 20110190925
    Abstract: A controller for machine tool 1 has a program analyzing section 12 for analyzing a machining program and extracting a fixed cycle command, a parameter setting section 15 for, on the basis of the extracted fixed command, determining an accuracy level being graded into a plurality of grades depending on how high machining accuracy is prioritized as compared with machining time in machining and setting parameters corresponding to the determined accuracy level and relating to control of the operation of a feed mechanism 30, and a drive control section 17 for controlling the feed mechanism 30 on the basis of the extracted fixed cycle command and the set parameters. The parameter setting section 15 calculates an arc-shaped movement trajectory of a tool moving around a virtual corner portion where two straight lines intersect with each other which corresponds to the parameters, and determines the accuracy level based thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: MORI SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: MAKOTO FUJISHIMA, HIDEKI TAKEDOMI
  • Patent number: 7991501
    Abstract: A surface machining method for obtaining a planar material of a uniform thickness is provided. This method includes mounting a planar material on a surface plate, setting the coordinate axis in the plane direction of the planar material to X, Y, and setting the coordinate axis in the height direction to Z, virtualizing an XY plane including an origin of the Z direction measured as a distance Z(m,n) from the coordinates (Xm, Yn) of a virtual plane ABCD to the plate thickness center plane S composed of midpoints of segments connecting an upper surface and a lower surface of the planar material, measuring the distance in the Z direction of the plate thickness center plane from the origin in an arbitrary XY plane position, and tilting and cutting the planar material so that the difference between maximum and minimum value of the obtained height data will be minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Nakashima, Nobuyoshi Komachi
  • Patent number: 7987016
    Abstract: A method for optimization of subsequent treatment processes is developed. End products having end product data are generated from semi-manufactured products having semi-manufactured product data, and at least part of the semi-manufactured products are processed at least in three phases. The processing data for semi-manufactured products to be processed in the last phase are determined from the end product data, the processing data for the semi-manufactured products to be processed in the first phase are determined, the feasibility of the processing data for at least one intermediate phase is checked based on productive resources of the intermediate phase, and the optimal processing data for the first phase is determined and the processing data for the intermediate phase is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventor: Panu Karhu
  • Publication number: 20110137448
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for an adaptive controller for controlling a machining operation on a workpiece by a machining tool are provided. The system includes a sensor for measuring a present value of a spindle load on a spindle drive, and an adaptive controller for comparing the present value of the spindle load to a present value of a target spindle load. The adaptive controller includes a computing element configured to determine a first feed rate value of a machining tool, and a number generator configured to generate a first feed rate dither adjustment value used for adding noise to the first feed rate value. The adaptive controller is configured to control the feed rate of the machining tool relative to the workpiece to maintain the present value of the spindle load approximately equal to the present value of the target spindle load using one or more of the first feed rate value, the first feed rate dither adjustment value, and the second feed rate dither adjustment value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Jerry Gene Scherer
  • Patent number: 7933678
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for analyzing a production process. In order to make it possible to analyze the production process in an improved manner for the purpose of production planning, the invention proposes a method for analyzing a production process in which at least one production device that is controlled by a control program is involved, wherein the method has the following method steps: at least one part of the control program is simulated using a simulation program and instructions which are executed in this case are logged, and an associated data record, in which the real-time requirement of an action caused by the logged instruction on the production device is respectively assigned to the logged instructions, is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Matthias Diezel, Carsten Hamm, Marc Holz, David Koch
  • Patent number: 7933679
    Abstract: A method for optimizing machining parameters for a cutting process performed on a work piece. Finite element analysis of cutting tool and work material interaction is initially performed. Mechanistic modeling of the cutting process, using results of the finite element analysis, is then performed to provide optimized machining parameters for improved rate of material removal and tool life. Optionally, a two-stage artificial neural network may be supplementally employed, wherein a first stage of the network provides output parameters including peak tool temperature and cutting forces in X and Y directions, for a combination of input reference parameters including tool rake angle, material cutting speed, and feed rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Cessna Aircraft Company
    Inventors: Pravin Kulkarni, Dhananjay Joshi, Parag Konde, Amit Deshpande, Kareem Syed
  • Patent number: 7908028
    Abstract: A triaxial tool unit includes three actuators 3, 4, 5 which operate in three-axis directions orthogonal to one another, a tool holder 7 provided at an intersection on axial lines in operating directions of the actuators 3, 4 and 5, and sensors 8, 9 and 10 which measure displacement amounts in the operating directions of the actuators 3, 4 and 5, and has a structure in which the sensors 8, 9 and 10 are disposed so that extension lines in respective sensing directions intersect with one another at one point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Takahashi, Isao Tashiro, Toshihiko Wada
  • Publication number: 20110015776
    Abstract: The invention related to a control system for a mill, particularly a roller grinding mill, comprising a mill control device (11), which is designed to control at least one mill characteristic on the basis of an associated target variable, and a fuzzy-control device (13), which is connected to the mill control device (11) and designed to adjust the target variable of the at least one mill characteristic to be controlled when at least one operating parameter of the mill deviates from a predefined normal range as a function of fuzzy rules that are based on said at least one operating parameter of the mill until the at least one operating parameter of the mill has reached the predefined normal range again. A solution is to be provided, which enables automated optimized mill operation even with changing operating conditions, particularly a mill operation that prevents the “mill rumbling”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2008
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicants: Hitachi Power Europe GmbH, Evonik Energy Services Gmbh
    Inventors: Dietmar Gocht, Werner Bischoff, Thomas Krause, Alfred Gwosdz
  • Publication number: 20100324714
    Abstract: An optimal process determining system executes a step of calculating a temporary process that includes information of a plurality of individual processes. According to an example, each process includes a tooling including of a tool, a holder, a tool projection length, and a sequence of the plurality of individual processes. A similarity between the toolings of two individual processes is calculated. In addition, a calculation is performed relating to a plurality of integrated processes for which the tooling of one of the individual processes having a high similarity is integrated into the tooling of the other one of the individual processes. In addition, an optimal process is determined from the plurality of integrated processes on the basis of an actual machining time in each of the integrated processes, a unit integration reduction time reduced as one of the toolings of the individual processes is integrated, and the number of the individual processes integrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki OKITA, Yoshimasa Kuwano, Kazunari Teramoto
  • Publication number: 20100324713
    Abstract: A machined shape determining step of determining a machined shape machined by a basic tooling or basic tooling template of each machining efficiency group from a material shape (S19), a tooling determining step of determining an optimal tooling comprising a combination of a tool, a holder and a tool projection length on the basis of information of the tools and the holders, stored in a tool holder information storage unit, the combination having a maximum machining efficiency and being able to form the material shape into a corresponding one of the machined shapes without interfering with the machined shape (S20), a process candidate determining step of determining an optimal process candidate using the optimal tooling of each machining efficiency group (S21), and a process determining step of determining an optimal process on the basis of the optimal process candidate of each machining efficiency group (S10), are executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki OKITA, Yoshimasa Kuwano, Kazunari Teramoto
  • Publication number: 20100314029
    Abstract: A method of removing an out-of-tolerance area in a composite structure comprises determining the location of the out-of-tolerance area and selecting a volume of the composite structure to be removed based on the location of the out-of-tolerance area. The method may further include programming a machine tool to remove the volume and to pause after removal of each one of a quantity of layers of the volume. The method may additionally include removing one of the layers using the programmed machine tool. The method may further include restoring the volume removed using the programmed area removal digital definition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Lawrence S. Lindgren, Scott W. Lea, Gary E. Georgeson
  • Patent number: 7852031
    Abstract: A machine tool capable of automatically correcting an orientation of a workpiece or machining attachment based on detection results from position detectors that the machine tool inherently has. The machine tool comprises: position detectors; position deviation determining means; contact detection means that detects a contact between a probe and a surface of the workpiece or the machining attachment based on a position deviation; movable axis stopping means; coordinate value detection means; inclination determining means; and correction means. The inclination determining means moves linear axes to perform detection of contacts between the probe and the surface of the workpiece or the machining attachment at least two different points, and determines an inclination of the workpiece or the machining attachment using the obtained coordinate values. The correction means corrects a mounting error of the workpiece or the machining attachment, or corrects the machining program based on the determined inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Yonpyo Hon, Kenzo Ebihara, Tomohiko Kawai
  • Patent number: 7848843
    Abstract: In a two-step processing mode in which a cup for attaching a lens to a chuck axis is changed from a large diameter cup to a small diameter cup on the way of processing, a roughing path data computing unit for computing first roughing path data larger than the target lens shape data by a predetermined finishing margin, and second roughing path data having a radius vector larger by at least ?a than at least radius vector data of the large diameter cup; and a processing controller for roughing the peripheral edge of the lens based on the second roughing path data in response to a processing start signal, thereafter stopping the processing and further resuming the processing. The processing controller performs, when a processing resuming signal is inputted, processing control of either roughing and finishing, or finishing without roughing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryoji Shibata
  • Patent number: 7844352
    Abstract: A system for embedding real-time Model Predictive Control (MPC) in a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) devices is provided. In the system, a microprocessor is connected to an auxiliary unit or application-specific matrix coprocessor. The microprocessor can control the operation of the MPC algorithm, i.e., carry out the tasks of input/output for the MPC algorithm, initialize and send the appropriate commands to auxiliary unit and receive back the optimal control moves or instructions from auxiliary unit. The auxiliary unit can operate as a matrix coprocessor by executing matrix operations, e.g. addition, multiplication, inversion, etc., required by the MPC algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Lehigh University
    Inventors: Panagiotis Vouzis, Leonidas Bleris, Mark G. Arnold, Mayuresh V. Kothare
  • Publication number: 20100298967
    Abstract: A method performed on a processor reconstructs a distance field of an object at a sample point, where the object is a swept volume generated by moving a shape along a path. The shape is represented by a shape distance field. The path is represented by a parametric function. Distance data at the sample points is determined, where the distance data characterizes the distance field of the object at the sample point. An optimal set of parameters defining an optimal placement of the shape along the path is determined in a continuous manner. The shape distance field is transformed to the optimal placement to produce a transformed shape distance field. The distance data is determined at the sample point from the transformed shape distance field to reconstruct the distance field at the sample point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Sarah F. Frisken, Ronald N. Perry, Alan Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20100298961
    Abstract: Provided is a method performed on a processor for simulating the milling of an object by moving a shape along a path intersecting the object. A composite adaptively sampled distance field (ADF) is generated to represent the object, where the composite ADF includes a set of cells. Each cell in the composite ADF includes a set of distance fields and a procedural reconstruction method for reconstructing the object within the cell. The shape is represented by a shape distance field. The path is represented by a parametric function. A swept volume distance field is defined in a continuous manner to represent a swept volume generated by moving the shape along the path according to a swept volume reconstruction method which reconstructs the swept volume distance field at a sample point. The composite ADF is edited to incorporate the swept volume distance field into the composite ADF to simulate the milling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Sarah F. Frisken, Ronald N. Perry, Alan Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7840305
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to abrasive articles useful in chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP), the articles including a substrate with opposite major surfaces, an abrasive material overlaying at least a portion of at least one of the major surfaces, and at least one of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a RFID tag reader, or a sensor for providing CMP information to a transmitter positioned near the substrate, the transmitter positioned near the substrate and adapted to wirelessly receive CMP information and wirelessly transmit the CMP information to a remote receiver. The disclosure also relates to a CMP pad conditioner for wirelessly communicating CMP information to a remote receiver, a CMP process monitoring system for wirelessly communicating CMP information to a remote receiver, and a method for conditioning a CMP pad using a CMP process monitoring system for wireless communicating CMP information to a remote receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Andrew H. Behr, Brian D. Goers, Vincent J. Laraia, Gary M. Palmgren, Daniel B. Pendergrass, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100286812
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for finding to find positional relationships and geometrical changes of at least one rotating part attached to or forming part of a machine when said part is in a rotating mode, said changes of the part caused by its state of production and use, to determine any locations on said rotating part which exhibit contaminants, and to subsequently remove or compensate effects of such contaminants present on the rotating part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: CONOPTICA AS
    Inventors: Gudmunn Slettemoen, Christian Askeland, Espen Stenberg, Torstein Osa Greger, Jean-Philippe Besuchet
  • Patent number: 7831332
    Abstract: A method for generating a tool path for machining a pocket with a milling cutter is disclosed. The tool path includes a first portion, a second portion and a transition portion connecting together the first portion and the second portion. The method includes the steps of: determining a radius of a first arc; determining a radius of a second arc; situating the first arc so as to connect the first portion to the second portion in a tangent continuous manner; situating a third arc so as to be tangent continuous the first arc and intersecting the first arc; and situating a fourth arc, so as to be: (1) tangent continuous with the third arc, (2) tangent to the second arc and (3) tangent continuous with either the first portion or the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Surfware, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Diehl
  • Patent number: 7822502
    Abstract: Using parameters such as diameters of a rough cutter and a finishing cutter, a position of a tool at cutting work completion in a rough work, a finishing cutting area, specifications of a rotating tool (the number of cutting edges, a cutting force eigenvalue, a compliance transfer function), etc., a cutting force acting on a cutting edge of the rotating tool is found, and results thereof are made use of to analyze a characteristic equation being a loop transfer function of a vibration system composed of the rotating tool and a work, whereby it is possible to predict presence of generation of self-excited vibration of the finishing cutter performed after a rough work in a shoulder cutting work. Thereby, the rotating tool operates stably in a finishing work and besides shoulder cutting of a work can be performed in a high work efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Utsumi, Masayuki Kyoi
  • Patent number: 7810417
    Abstract: In a cutting method of an oblique surface by a rotary tool, for analyzing in advance a stability limit depth of cut with respect to a self-excited cutting vibration in consideration of a pick feed amount and a work oblique angle and reducing the number of steps necessary for preparation and correction of NC data, a tool diameter, the number of cutting teeth and dynamic stiffness of the rotary tool, a cutting force coefficient determined by a combination of the tool and work materials, dynamic stiffness of the work, the pick feed amount, oblique angles between the tool and the work and the like are used as input values, an initial value of the stability limit depth of cut is determined based on the input values, and calculation is performed based on the initial value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Onozuka, Masayuki Kyoi
  • Publication number: 20100242283
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a gear having a plurality of gear teeth includes the steps of: determining a desired finished gear characteristic, determining a reference feature on the gear to establish an origin on the gear, determining an unfinished dimension of a surface of at least one of the plurality of gear teeth relative to the origin, estimating a desired stock removal that will achieve the desired finished gear characteristic, finishing the gear using a finishing tool, determining a finished dimension of the surface of the at least one of the plurality of gear teeth relative to the origin, determining actual stock removal by comparing the unfinished dimension with the finished dimension, and comparing the actual stock removal with the desired stock removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Travis M. Thompson, Jeffrey R. Lee, Stephen D. Doubler, Richard Vriesen
  • Patent number: 7805215
    Abstract: A programming device programs a machining control program to be used on a numerical control device for machining an object. A setting unit sets an axial direction of the tool with respect to the data on the machining-target area and sets a deepest position of a tip of the tool with respect to the data on the machining-target area. An extracting unit extracts a surface-machining-target area of the object from the data on the machining-target area based on the set axial direction of the tool, the set deepest position of the tip, and the data on the machining-target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Fujino, Kenji Iriguchi, Nobuyuki Takahashi, Katsunori Tanaka, Yuka Mitani
  • Publication number: 20100228384
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for generating transformed control data for controlling a tool on a machine tool for machining a workpiece clamped in a clamping means of the machine tool, including the steps of: (1) determining control data indicating which first tool path is to be traveled by the tool of the machine tool with which first tool orientation for machining the clamped workpiece if the workpiece is clamped in the clamping means in accordance with a clamping situation target state means; (2) detecting a clamping situation current state; (3) detecting a clamping situation deviation between the clamping situation current state and the clamping situation target state; and (4) generating transformed control data by executing a transformation of a part of the determined control data in dependence of the detected clamping situation deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: DECKEL MAHO PFRONTEN GMBH
    Inventors: Josef NEUMAIER, Thomas LOCHBIHLER, Uwe-Carsten HANSEN
  • Publication number: 20100211209
    Abstract: During operation of a rolling mill, a rolling product running through the mill is machined by a machining device which is controlled by a controller, to which a target and an actual value of the roll product are fed after machining. The controller determines based on the target and the actual value, in conjunction with controller characteristic, a controlled variable for the machining device and outputs the controlled variable to the machining device which machines the roll product according to the output controlled variable. A detection device receives the actual value after machining and a corresponding actual value of the mill product before machining. Based on the temporal profiles of the actual values, the device dynamically determines the controller characteristic such that the variance of the actual value at least tends to be minimized after machining. The device also parameterizes the controller according to the determined control characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Reinhard Meissen, Martin Níemann, Wilfried Tautz, Heinz Wilharm, Dietrich Wohld
  • Patent number: 7747341
    Abstract: Producing a three-dimensional multi-material component whereby successive layers of at least one material are printed by a drop ink-jet-type printer including cutting a representation of the multi-material component into remarkable objects; cutting the representation of the component into print layers, as a function of the remarkable objects; for each print layer, establishing a plurality of discrete spatial print path trajectories; for each print layer and for each discrete spatial trajectory, establishing an assembly of printing parameters which are dependent on the nature of the deposited materials and the deposition conditions thereof; and establishing a rule for the spatial and temporal sequencing of the print path of the print layers and of the discrete spatial trajectories as a function of the objects, the relative three-dimensional arrangement thereof and the characteristics of the printing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.)
    Inventors: Martine Dubois, Rémi Noguera, Thierry Chartier, Maksoud Oudjedi
  • Patent number: 7747336
    Abstract: One element is taken from a machined shape. When the element is a straight line element, whether or not the distance D between the start point and the end point of the element in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the workpiece is equal to or greater than a preset value Ds is determined. In addition, whether or not an angle A that the straight line element makes with the Z-axis is equal to or greater than a preset angle Aa is determined. When the distance D is equal to or greater than the preset value Ds and the angle A is equal to or greater than the preset angle Aa, a program is created with the cutting direction reversed from the profile direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: FANUC Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Maeda, Shinya Nakamura, Akira Horiuchi
  • Publication number: 20100161107
    Abstract: On a numerically controlled machine tool a sub-program is integrated into the given program for controlling the machine tool by which a periodic change of at least one cutting tool parameter is effected in one processing cycle, or also in several processing cycles, or in certain length and diameter zones of the workpiece characterized by tool vibrations and leading to inferior workpiece quality. By way of the periodic cutting parameter change, self-excited tool vibrations are avoided in these sensitive machining areas, thereby enabling tool wear to be reduced and workpiece quality improved. Furthermore, this intervention into the machining program is documentable and identically reproducible for each workpiece—independently of the expertise and personal judgement of the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventors: Gregor KAPPMEYER, Wolfgang PIECZEIT
  • Publication number: 20100138030
    Abstract: A system for calibrating a handling apparatus relative to a workpiece comprises a handling apparatus having at least one tool and at least one measuring arrangement configured to record at least one controlled variable; and a regulatory device configured to determine at least two faces in a multidimensional space and to provide a resultant line of intersection for the at least two faces as a trajectory coordinates using the at least one controlled variable when the at least one workpiece is moved by the at least one measuring arrangement, thereby providing an optimized trajectory profile for implementation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ABB AG
    Inventors: Martin Kohlmaier, Rainer Krappinger
  • Patent number: 7720561
    Abstract: The non-productive motion of an automatic composite tape laydown machine is optimized to increase the overall rate of the laydown. Ordering of tape courses is analyzed to determine the time required to move between courses using a time function that reflects operating characteristics and limitations of the tape laydown machine. The ordering is optimized by re-ordering, grouping and/or partitioning the tape courses so as to reduce the non-productive motion of the machine. The optimized ordering is used by a NC program that controls the operation of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Wei-Pai Tang, Brice Johnson, Daniel Edward Gonsor
  • Publication number: 20100121478
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for position-dependent compliance compensation in a machine tool. To permit the lowest possible machining time or greatest possible contour fidelity in the machining of a workpiece with a machine tool, the following method steps are proposed:—deriving the compliance (2) of the machine tool (1) at a position of a tool of the machine tool (1) from machine data (3) stored in a memory,—determining a machining force (4) acting on the tool during a machining process at said position,—modification of at least one machining parameter (5) that has an influence on the machining process for the said position in dependence on the derived compliance (2) and the machining force (4) in such a way that a displacement (6) of the tool with respect to a desired position that is caused by the compliance (2) of the machine tool (1); and the machining force (4) is counteracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Dirk Jahn, Mirco Vitr, Rouven Meidlinger
  • Publication number: 20100114359
    Abstract: A programming apparatus has a parameter storage section for storing parameters related to the operation control of an operating mechanism of an NC machine tool, a CL data storage section for storing CL data including data relating to a moving position of a tool and machining conditions, an NC program generating section for referring to the parameters in the parameter storage section, and generating an NC program form the CL data in the CL data storage section, and NC program storage section for storing the generated NC program. The NC program generating section checks whether the machining condition data included in the CL data is suitable by referring to the parameters, and, when it is not suitable, corrects the machining condition data using the parameters and then generates an NC program based on the CL data in which the corrected machining condition data is included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: MORI SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Surya Kommareddy, Bingyan Zhao
  • Publication number: 20100114354
    Abstract: A method for estimating a process variable associated with a series of operations of a manufacturing process includes deriving a model that represents a given operation of the manufacturing process. The operation has first, second, and third process variables associated therewith. The model includes the first, second, and third process variables. Variations in the first and second process variables during each of the operations are substantially immeasurable. The method further includes measuring the first process variable after a first one of the operations and measuring the third process variable during a second one of the operations using a sensing device. The method further includes estimating at least one of the first and second process variables during the second one of the operations using the measured first process variable, the measured third process variable, and the model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: The Regents of The University of Michigan
    Inventor: Cheol Lee
  • Publication number: 20100114358
    Abstract: The invention is based on a machine-tool monitoring device. It is proposed that the machine-tool monitoring device have a signal unit (24) provided for ultra-broadband operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Reiner Krapf, Michael Mahler
  • Patent number: 7684892
    Abstract: A method for generation of a control code set for a manufacturing process includes generating a list of sequences of operations with an automatic sequence of operations generator, selecting an optimized sequence of operations from the list of sequences of operations, and utilizing the optimized sequence of operations to generate the control code set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Chalmers University of Technology
    Inventors: Chengyin Yuan, Fangming Gu, Stephan R. Biller, Richard C. Immers, Chieh-Yi Jerry Yen, Magnus Johansson, Mikael Kjellgren, Bengt Erik Lennartson
  • Publication number: 20100069740
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing and fabricating a pantomesh. The pantomesh includes a plurality of pantomesh elements each including a pairs of links connected to one another by a revolute joint at points between their ends. Each of a plurality of the pantomesh elements is connected using spherical joints to a plurality of neighboring pantomesh elements, wherein a first line that extends along one side of a first pantomesh element forms a first variable angle with a second line that extends along an opposite side of the first pantomesh element. In some embodiments, at least some of the pantomesh elements of the pantomesh are not isosceles trapezoidal elements. In some embodiments, the pantomesh is used to compress breast tissue during an MRI procedure. In some embodiments, the pantomesh is connected to one or more actuators that facilitate remote control of the amount of compression provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Blake Timothy Larson, Arthur Guy Erdman
  • Publication number: 20100063615
    Abstract: A machining status monitoring apparatus is provided on a machine tool, and has a plurality of actual CCD cameras for imaging the tool and workpiece from different view points and generating actual two-dimensional image data thereof, a virtual image generating section having a plurality of virtual CCD cameras corresponding to the actual CCD cameras, in which the tool and workpiece of three-dimensional model are imaged by the virtual CCD cameras from each point and virtual two-dimensional image data thereof are generated, and a display control section for selecting one virtual CCD camera corresponding to the virtual two-dimensional image data in which the distal end of the tool is not hidden by the workpiece among the generated two-dimensional image data, and displaying the actual two-dimensional image data generated by the actual CCD camera corresponding to the selected virtual CCD camera on a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: MORI SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiko Mori, Xiaodong Tian, Bingyan Zhao, Makoto Fujishima, Zhe Jin
  • Publication number: 20100063616
    Abstract: A machining status monitoring apparatus is provided on a machine tool, and has an actual CCD camera for imaging the tool and the workpiece and generating actual two-dimensional image data thereof, a virtual image generating section having a virtual CCD camera corresponding to the actual CCD camera, in which the tool and workpiece of three-dimensional model are imaged by the virtual CCD camera and virtual two-dimensional image data thereof are generated, and a display control section for receiving from a control device of the machine tool, information relating to the coolant supply state and checking whether coolant is being supplied to the contact portion of the tool and the workpiece, and displaying on a display device actual two-dimensional image data when coolant is not being supplied and displaying on the display device virtual two-dimensional image data when coolant is being supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: MORI SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiko Mori, Xiaodong Tian, Bingyan Zhao, Makoto Fujishima, Zhe Jin
  • Patent number: 7668617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of calibrating an ophthalmic-lens-piercing machine, a device used to implement one such method and a ophthalmic-lens-machining apparatus comprising one such device. The inventive method applies to a machine including a piercing tool, a lens support which is associated with a first reference mark (O1, X1, Y1), and programmable tool-control means which are associated with a second reference mark expressing set co-ordinates which define a target piercing point (M). A template is placed on the support, and the template includes pre-applied markings defining a third reference mark (O3, X3, Y3), such that the third reference mark in essentially in line with the first reference mark. The template is pierced at a pre-determined point corresponding to a target point, and an image of the template this point position, and a correction is applied to the set co-ordinates that can compensate for the misalignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Briot International
    Inventors: Michaël Vassard, Jean-Jacques Videcoq
  • Publication number: 20100036519
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a machining parameter optimizing apparatus deciding a tool axis attitude and a machining zone and deciding a tooling having high stiffness for any profile of a finished workpiece. A tool axis attitude deciding member 21 decides one or plural tool axis attitude. An interference dangerous zone deciding member 23 decides as an interference dangerous zone a zone possible to interfere between a tool or a tool holder and a workpiece during machining by the decided tool axis attitude. A machining simulation member 25 executes a machining simulation based on the interference dangerous zone by the decided tool axis attitude and generates the virtual tool holder in which there is no any interference, and also decides a machining zone in a way of avoiding the interference dangerous zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiko YAMADA, Toshiyuki Okita, Yoshimasa Kuwano
  • Publication number: 20100030366
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for an adaptive controller for controlling a machining operation on a workpiece by a machining tool are provided. The system includes a sensor for measuring a present value of a spindle load on a spindle drive, and an adaptive controller for comparing the present value of the spindle load to a present value of a target spindle load. The adaptive controller includes a computing element configured to determine a first feed rate value of a machining tool, and a number generator configured to generate a first feed rate dither adjustment value used for adding noise to the first feed rate value. The adaptive controller is configured to control the feed rate of the machining tool relative to the workpiece to maintain the present value of the spindle load approximately equal to the present value of the target spindle load using one or more of the first feed rate value, the first feed rate dither adjustment value, and the second feed rate dither adjustment value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Jerry Gene Scherer
  • Publication number: 20090326680
    Abstract: The invention presents a method and an apparatus for optimizing or monitoring or analyzing process sequences of an automated device, such that a visualization of the data sets is implemented by means of a display means 12a, b, c, with the use of at least one first and one second data set, in such a way that a visual cross-reference 15, 16 is created between data-set segments that are relevant to the process sequence. This allows the machine operator to recognize quickly those points in the process sequence where a need exists for intervention. Manufacturing costs can thereby be lowered, and product quality improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Gunther Landgraf
  • Publication number: 20090319077
    Abstract: A method for performing a machining operation on a part uses closed-loop control, based on feedback of information measured from the part, from the tools and machines, and from the environment, to modify the controlling parameters for the machining operation. By recording the information for all machining operations, statistical data can be generated, and the process control can be further improved by applying this statistical knowledge. Information relevant to each part can be stored, so that it can be passed on to subsequent operations in the manufacturing route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC.
    Inventor: Mitchel Cameron
  • Patent number: 7636612
    Abstract: A simulation method for optimizing transport displacement of workpieces in transfer presses is provided. Conclusions relating to the freedom of motion, number of strokes and program data for tool-specific machine control are determined by manipulating a displacement curve on a digital image of the transfer press which is determined by the simulation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Mueller Weingarten AG
    Inventors: Elmar Weber, Hermann Benkler
  • Patent number: 7621806
    Abstract: A portioning system (10) includes a scanner (16) for scanning a passing poultry breast (14). A cutting device (18), a slicing device (20) and/or other equipment may be used to portion, trim, or otherwise process the poultry breast under the control of a computer (22). The computer also utilizes the information from the scanner to determine position and the angular orientation of the poultry breast relative to a reference line by determining directional lines corresponding to physical attributes of the poultry breast. One directional line is related to the principal axis of the poultry breast, determined from the axis of least inertia of the poultry breast when analyzing the regions of the poultry breast above a selected elevation of the poultry breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Bottemiller, George Blaine, Craig E. Pfarr