Tool Selection/change Patents (Class 700/179)
  • Patent number: 11487272
    Abstract: A multi-scale data acquiring and processing device and method for an aluminum oxide production process. The device includes a production index and variable configuring module, a data acquiring module, a data storing module, a main control module, a display module, a data processing module and a data transmitting module. The main control module is used for emitting a command, acquiring production indexes and variables generated in the aluminum oxide production process by different process control devices, and is used for performing unified processing, storage and display on the data, and further the data is transmitted through a transmitting module to systems or devices using the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jinliang Ding, Changxin Liu, Ning Yuan, Tianyou Chai
  • Patent number: 11135693
    Abstract: This machine tool system is provided with a tool holder adaptor that has a flange having formed therein: a hole part that contains a tool holder; and an engagement part that engages with a hand of a self-propelled robot, wherein when transporting the tool holder to a machine tool from a tool storage that contains a plurality of tool holder adaptors, the self-propelled robot grasps the tool holder adaptor to transport the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: MAKINO MILLING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masahiro Shirone
  • Patent number: 11073817
    Abstract: A cutting condition verification device configured to extract a cutting condition setting mistake in a machining program is provided with a program editing unit for creating or editing the machining program, a cutting condition extraction/storage unit configured to extract a cutting condition from the machining program, a cutting condition reference value calculation unit configured to calculate reference values for determining the normality or abnormality of the cutting condition, based on a description of another machining program executed in the past, a cutting condition determination unit configured to determine the normality or abnormality of the cutting condition, based on the reference values, and a cutting condition deviation command display unit configured to display the cutting condition determined to be abnormal in a table form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Kakimoto
  • Patent number: 11048227
    Abstract: Provided is an abnormality detection device with which an abnormality of a machining state of a machine tool can be detected based on information on a section where machining is actually performed in machine tool-based machining. The abnormality detection device detects an abnormality of a machining state of a machine tool machining a workpiece with a tool. The machine tool includes a determination unit determining the machining state by using information related to an actual cutting section in the tool-based machining of the workpiece in the machine tool. The determination unit performs the machining state determination by using a deviation in position and length of a section recognized as the actual cutting section and a physical quantity in the actual cutting section acquired from the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: FANUC CORPORATION, RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsushi Takahara, Yasuhiro Nakahama, Shinji Okuda, Junichi Takami
  • Patent number: 10754322
    Abstract: A method of identifying a multi-component cutting tool assembly to a user includes the steps of: receiving an indication from the user of a desired characteristic of at least one of the cutting tool assembly or of a workpiece to be machined, determining at least a portion of a first set of characteristics associated with a first component of the plurality of tool components corresponds to the desired characteristic, determining at least a portion of a second set of characteristics associated with a second component of the plurality of tool components corresponds to a portion of the first set of characteristics and responsive thereto grouping the first component and the second component together to form a combination and identifying the combination to the user as the cutting tool assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: KENNAMETAL INC.
    Inventors: Mitchell D. Benko, Colin John Deem, Pradeep Hemmanur, Fred Patterson, Karen Gallentine
  • Patent number: 10353379
    Abstract: Techniques are described for receiving visualizing two-dimensional (2D) metric data in connection with a three-dimensional (3D) visualization data of a manufacturing process. In one example, a 3D visualization of machine-related data from a process session for manufacturing a particular workpiece is presented, the manufacturing process performed by a machine operating in 3D, the machine-related data associated with a path taken by a tool or end-effector associated with the machine and/or the machine itself during the manufacturing process session. At least one 2D data set is provided representing a metric associated with manufacturing process session. A particular set is selected for presentation within the presented 3D visualization of the machine-related data. A connection between values of the 2D metric set and the machine-related data of the 3D visualization is determined and, based on the connection, the selected 2D metric set is incorporated into the 3D visualization of the machine-related data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Stephan Meier, Philipp Raub, Robert Noce, Matthias Weigold, Navdeep Raj Ganesh, Ge Cao
  • Patent number: 10018991
    Abstract: A numerical controller of the invention analyzes a relation between a plurality of pieces of tool dimension data and a plurality of tool offset values and detects whether a tool offset value is an outlier on the basis of tool dimension data of a subject tool and a tool offset value received by an offset value input unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventor: Yamato Iwamura
  • Patent number: 9962800
    Abstract: To provide a tool changer of a machine tool that makes it possible to surely execute machining as designated in a machining program without any need for the editing of the machining program or the replacement of tools and without complicating the device structure. The tool changer 11 includes a tool correspondence table A showing a correspondence relation between a program-designated tool T0001 designated in a machining program O0001 and an actual use tool T0003 actually used according to the machining contents designated in the machining program, wherein the actual use tool corresponding to the program-designated tool is found by using the tool correspondence table A and the found actual use tool is decided as a subsequent process tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: DMG MORI SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nishioka, Yoshihiro Takiguchi
  • Patent number: 9889522
    Abstract: The laser processing head of the present disclosure includes a collimation lens, a focus lens, a first parallel plate, a first drive unit, a second parallel plate, and a second drive unit. The collimation lens collimates a laser beam having a first optical axis, and the focus lens condenses the collimated laser beam. The first parallel plate shifts the optical axis of the condensed laser beam to a second optical axis. The first drive unit rotates the first parallel plate around a first rotation axis. The second parallel plate shifts the optical axis of the laser beam shifted to the second optical axis, to a third optical axis. The second drive unit rotates the second parallel plate around a second rotation axis. The direction of the first rotation axis and the direction of the second rotation axis are identical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yiheng Kung, Yasushi Mukai, Wataru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9411331
    Abstract: An automatic programming device includes: a machining-area-shape generation unit that generates machining-area shape data that is a machining area shape machined on the basis of machining-area data; and a chamfering tool-path generation unit that, when the machining area shape is a chamfering target part, generates chamfering tool-path data for chamfering according to chamfering data including the machining-area shape data, data on tool-to-be-used, and data on machining condition. When performing chamfering on a boundary of the shaped raw material and the machining area shape defined on a curved surface that is a shaped raw material, the chamfering tool-path generation unit generates a machining path, as the chamfering tool-path data, for realizing chamfering by using 2-axis machining of a rotating axis parallel to a central axis of the shaped raw material and with a linear axis parallel to a bottom surface of the machining area shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuka Mitani, Kenji Iriguchi, Sanae Chiba, Yuji Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9138844
    Abstract: An alarm system including a battery powered transmitter received in a watertight housing. The housing includes an outwardly extending shank. The shank is adapted for receipt in a tool holder stored in tool change magazine. The magazine is mounted inside a high speed CNC milling machine. When the milling machine completes a work cycle on a work piece, it is programmed to activate an automatic tool changer that retrieves the tool holder with transmitter from the magazine and attaches them to a tool spindle. The movement of the machine is then used to activate a radio signal button on the transmitter and send a radio frequency signal to a battery powered receiver disposed outside the milling machine. The receiver than activates an alarm. The operator is then alerted that the milling machine has stopped operating and needs to be attended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas F. Ryan
  • Patent number: 8942843
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tool path forming method in a milling processing system, the method including: (A) a shape offset step; (B) a virtual wall forming step; (C) an interference region forming and shape revising step; (D) a closed shape forming step; (E) a cutting surface forming step; (F) tool path forming steps; (G) an unprocessed region detecting step; and (H) an uncut region tool path forming step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Gun Lee, Yong Tak Hyun
  • Publication number: 20150019001
    Abstract: A method of identifying a multi-component cutting tool assembly to a user includes the steps of: receiving an indication from the user of a desired characteristic of at least one of the cutting tool assembly or of a workpiece to be machined, determining at least a portion of a first set of characteristics associated with a first component of the plurality of tool components corresponds to the desired characteristic, determining at least a portion of a second set of characteristics associated with a second component of the plurality of tool components corresponds to a portion of the first set of characteristics and responsive thereto grouping the first component and the second component together to form a combination and identifying the combination to the user as the cutting tool assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Kennametal Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell D. Benko, Colin John Deem, Pradeep Hemmanur, Fred Patterson, Karen Gallentine
  • Publication number: 20140316552
    Abstract: There is provided a method for determining a machining means in a hybrid ultraprecision machining device for manufacturing a micro-machined product from a workpiece, the machining device comprising: an electromagnetic-wave-machining means for roughly machining the workpiece; a precision-machining means for precisely machining the roughly machined workpiece; and a shape-measurement means for measuring a shape of the workpiece upon use of the electromagnetic-wave machining means and the precision-machining means, wherein a choice is made between the electromagnetic-wave-machining means and the precision-machining means in the determination of the machining means, on the basis of: information on a stereoscopic model of the micro-machined product; information on a removal volume to be removed from a volume of the workpiece in the manufacturing of the micro-machined product; and data on a removal process time of the electromagnetic-wave-machining means and data on a removal process time of the precision-machining
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Shindo, Yoshiyuki Uchinono, Kimitake Okugawa, Noboru Urata, Syoji Kuroki, Akira Fukuoka, Atsushi Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 8788083
    Abstract: A method of machining a work part in a numerically-controlled machining process with a selected tool, includes steps of inspecting actual geometric parameters of the selected tool and predicting cutting forces and this tool deflections based on given tool/part engagement conditions and pre-measured static stiffness of the selected tool, then modifying a tool path of the numerically-controlled machining process to compensate for the predicted tool deflections, and finally machining the work part to a desired profile by use of the selected tool to follow the modified tool path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Fuat Atabey
  • Patent number: 8740522
    Abstract: A shaping machine system including a shaping device and a computer is provided. The shaping device includes at least one jig mount body configured for mounting a jig; a shaping tool support body configured for supporting a shaping tool; a first drive device configured for rotating the shaping tool; and a second drive device configured for driving the shaping tool support body or the at least one jig mount body or changing a posture of the shaping tool relative to the workpiece. The computer is configured for controlling the first and second drive devices according to predetermined shaping data. The computer includes a jig position measuring unit configured for measuring a position of the jig; a position error detecting unit configured for detecting a position error of the jig, and a shaping data correcting unit configured for correcting the predetermined shaping data according to a jig position error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Roland DG Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Suyama, Ryo Sato, Yoshimitsu Asahina, Makoto Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8701532
    Abstract: A method includes removing material from a die and thereby changing a location of a cutting edge of the die in a punch entry direction and changing a cutting edge cross-section of the die; and assigning a punch and/or a workpiece thickness to the die based, at least in part, on the change in the cutting edge cross-section of the die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Laib
  • Patent number: 8606399
    Abstract: A device for constructing an assembly of building components includes an articulating arm unit and a gripper/nailer mounted on an end of the articulating arm unit. The gripper/nailer includes a gripping unit for grasping building components and positioning them in a predetermined arrangement and a nailing unit for inserting a fastener to secure the building components together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Williams Robotics, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Williams, Siroberto Scerbo
  • Patent number: 8600542
    Abstract: A machine tool controlled to restart automatic operation for machining a workpiece from an interrupted point after the machine tool, which has been automatically operated by NC program commands, is caused to interrupt the automatic operation. The NC program commands are classified into a plurality of main groups with respect to the contents of motions for changing the machine state of the machine tool. When the automatic operation of the machine tool restarts after the automatic operation has been interrupted halfway, an order of execution of the NC program commands is determined such that the main groups are arranged in a prescribed order of execution, for automatically generating a machine state restoration command. The automatic operation of the machine tool can restart from the interrupted point without the need for the operator to manually generate or correct a command for restoring the machine tool to its machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Fujishima, Hideki Takedomi
  • Patent number: 8594821
    Abstract: A system, a method and a computer program product for identifying incompatible manufacturing tools. The system receives measurements of products that were subject to a manufacturing process involving a plurality of manufacturing tools. The measurements pertain to a performance characteristic of each product. The system evaluates whether each manufacturing tool implemented in a sequential manufacturing process individually performs normally based on the received measurements. In response to evaluating each manufacturing tool implemented in said manufacturing process individually performs normally, the system evaluates whether a first combination of the manufacturing tools together in sequential manufacturing process perform normally based on the received measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Baseman, Fateh A. Tipu, Sholom M. Weiss
  • Patent number: 8588957
    Abstract: A method of operating a machining system includes comparing one or more features of a cutting tool to information stored on a data chip secured to a tool holder of the cutting tool. The cutting tool is loaded into the machining system, and the information stored on the data chip is compared to cutting tool requirements of a machining program for instructing operation of the machine. When a result of one or more of the comparisons is outside of a predetermined threshold, operation of the machining system is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Patry, Vincent P. Infante, Douglas J. Ventimiglia, Kenneth W. Catino, Shikshit N. Parikh
  • Patent number: 8583274
    Abstract: Continuous change of state directions are graphically provided on a display screen to assist a user in performing necessary action(s) for transitioning between operating modes in a medical robotic system or performing corrective action. A graphical representation of a target state of an element of the medical robotic system is displayed on a display screen viewable by the user. Current states of the element and indications directing the user to manipulate the element towards the target state are continuously determined and graphical representations of the continuously determined current states and indications are displayed on the display screen along with that of the target state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Mohr, David W. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8565919
    Abstract: The present embodiment provides for methods and systems for use in processing objects such as wafers, including polishing and/or grinding wafers. Some embodiments provide systems that include a front-end module and a processing module. The front end module couples with a storage device that stores objects for processing. The front-end module can comprise a single robot, a transfer station, and a plurality of end effectors. The processing module is coupled with the front-end module such that the single robot delivers objects from the storage device to the processing module. The processing module comprising a rotating table, and a spindle with a carrier configured to retrieve the delivered object and process the object on the rotating table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Strasbaugh
    Inventors: William J. Kalenian, Thomas A. Walsh, Dave Halley
  • Publication number: 20130211575
    Abstract: A method, a system and a processing device for simultaneous manual retooling of at least two units or for simultaneous exchange of at least two format parts within a processing device. The processing device includes at least two working areas, each including a retooling area, a working opening and an activation device. The working openings exist in an open retooling state or in a closed processing state. For retooling at least two of the working openings are opened. The actual state of the working openings of at least two working areas is determined. Furthermore the activation of at least one activation device is recognized. If the activation devices of open working openings are activated simultaneously, a repositioning of convertible units or format parts is triggered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hahn
  • Patent number: 8498733
    Abstract: A method and system are provided which reorders a sequence of operations of a part program to reduce the number of tool changes during execution of the program. The reordered sequence maintains a sequence of at least a first portion of the operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hurco Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Gray, Karl Szabo
  • Patent number: 8428765
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Okita, Yoshimasa Kuwano, Kazunari Teramoto
  • Patent number: 8380339
    Abstract: A polishing pad for chemical mechanical planarization of a film on a substrate is customized by obtaining one or more characteristics of a structure on a substrate. For example, when the structure is a chip formed on a semiconductor wafer, the one or more characteristics of the structure can include chip size, pattern density, chip architecture, film material, film topography, and the like. Based on the one or more characteristics of the structure, a value for the one or more chemical or physical properties of the pad is selected. For example, the one or more chemical or physical properties of the pad can include pad material hardness, thickness, surface grooving, pore size, porosity, Youngs modulus, compressibility, asperity, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: NexPlanar Corporation
    Inventors: Sudhanshu Misra, Pradip K. Roy
  • Patent number: 8355812
    Abstract: A shaping machine system is presented. The shaping machine system includes a shaping device including at least one jig mount body for mounting a jig for supporting a workpiece, a shaping tool support body for supporting a shaping tool for shaping the workpiece, a first drive device for rotating the shaping tool, and a second drive device for driving at least one of the shaping tool support body, the jig mount body, or to change a posture of the shaping tool relative to the workpiece. The shaping machine system also includes a computer including an input unit for receiving a jig selection, a shaping tool selection, a shape data reading unit for reading shape data representing a shape of the workpiece after shaping, a shaping data producing unit for producing shaping data for controlling the first and the second drive devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Roland DG Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Suyama, Ryo Sato, Yoshimitsu Asahina, Makoto Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8322173
    Abstract: A method for utilizing a bending machine die layout includes designating a die layout of a bending machine, the designated die layout being defined by arrangements of replaceable punches and replaceable dies installed on the bending machine. The method also includes extracting, in the designated die layout, segments in each of which a punch and a die face overlapping to each other to be actually used for one of bending processes, as virtual die stages based on punch attachment positions and punch lengths of the punches, and die attachment positions and die lengths of the dies. The method further includes assigning, by using a sheet metal shape model of a bent product planned to be made by the bending machine, bend lines on the sheet metal shape model corresponding to actual bend lines of the bent product, to the virtual die stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventor: Akira Senba
  • Patent number: 8301293
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Jtekt Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Okita, Yoshimasa Kuwano, Kazunari Teramoto
  • Patent number: 8255497
    Abstract: A method, a computer-readable medium, a software application, and a computer-based apparatus for initially establishing communication with a device on a local area network (LAN) in a substantially automated manner. A broadcast discovery request is transmitted over the network and the network is monitored for responses from devices connected to the network. A responding device is selected and a determination is made as to if a primary IP address of the selected device is within a predetermined subnet. Otherwise, a determination is made as to if a current alternate IP address of the selected device is within the predetermined subnet. Otherwise, a new alternate IP address is generated and may be conditionally assigned to the selected device. One of the primary IP address, the current alternate IP address, or the new alternate IP address is used to connect to the selected device for the purpose of communicating with the selected device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Dmitry Brant, Stephen M. Kainec
  • Patent number: 8249741
    Abstract: A method for controlling the loading and unloading of machine tools where the tools from a magazine are first taken over into an intermediate storage station or provision area and from there are supplied to the machine tool. The tools are inserted into the machine tool using a changing apparatus for transfer to the machine tool. The magazine and the machine tool are each provided with a CNC controller and a PLC controller, and these components are adjusted by a separate controller. The magazine and the machine tool can each be provided with a separate CNC controller and PLC controller or a common CNC controller and PLC controller. Multichannel controllers, preferably dual-channel controllers, can also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyoda Mitsuiseiki Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Marco Eckhardt, Robert Speich
  • Patent number: 8221297
    Abstract: A tool storage system stores tool holders for use in machine tools. The tool holders hold tools such as milling cutters, taps, drills, reamers, chamfering or deburring tools or the like. The tool holders may have standard taper-shanks. A receptacle is provided for each tool holder. The receptacles are arranged on a generally vertical array and hold the tool holders generally horizontally. The tool holders may be retained by engagement of a pull stud in the receptacle. The generally vertical array arrangement permits storing a large number of tools in a small footprint. In embodiments, a computer system provides functions for managing the tools and/or jobs in which the tools are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Faust Solutions Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Faust
  • Patent number: 8224477
    Abstract: A control system is provided for each pair of a work fixing part and a work machining part. In each control system, a work receiving program block, a work machining program block and a work discharge program block are provided, and the work machining program block starts on the condition that the work receiving program block ends and the work discharge block program starts on the condition that the work machining program block ends. The work receiving program block is associated with the work supply program of the work supply apparatus, or the work discharge program block is associated with a work transfer program of a work transfer apparatus so that a command is issued to the work receiving program block or the work discharge program block, and a command to perform a cue of the head of the program of each control system is provided at the last part of the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8202206
    Abstract: A workpiece is machined using a first cutting tool and subsequent cutting tools in a predefined time sequence. The sequence of cutting tools defines a sequence of previous and subsequent cutting tools, with each previous cutting tool being replaced by a subsequent cutting tool in the course of the machining operations. Each previous cutting tool, which is replaced by a subsequent cutting tool, is deposited at a defined storage place in a tool magazine. When being put back into the tool magazine, the previous cutting tools are distributed to the storage places in a spatial sequence which is different from a spatial sequence at the start of the machining operations and which substantially corresponds to the time sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Stama Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Feinauer, Karl Frommer
  • Publication number: 20120143369
    Abstract: A machine tool (10) is equipped with a main spindle (24) movable via a machine control (26) and associated measuring systems (26a) relative to a workpiece holder (12) in a coordinate system (27) with a coordinate origin (28), and with a tool magazine (31) having storage spaces (30) for tools (25, 32, 33, 34). The main spindle (24) is moved into a tool change position in which a used tool (25) is exchanged for a new tool (32) to be used. A separate measuring system (43, 46) indicates whether the main spindle (24), in connection with the tool change, has assumed a measuring position (50) in which the position of the main spindle (24) relative to the coordinate origin (28) is determined via a machine control (26) and associated measuring systems (26a). This position is used in order to determine at least one correction value (?y, ?z).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Chiron-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dirk PRUST
  • Patent number: 8185240
    Abstract: A device for constructing an assembly of building components includes an articulating arm unit and a gripper/nailer mounted on an end of the articulating arm unit. The gripper/nailer includes a gripping unit for grasping building components and positioning them in a predetermined arrangement and a nailing unit for inserting a fastener to secure the building components together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Williams Robotics, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Williams, Siroberto Scerbo
  • Publication number: 20120116570
    Abstract: To provide a tool changer of a machine tool that makes it possible to surely execute machining as designated in a machining program without any need for the editing of the machining program or the replacement of tools and without complicating the device structure. The tool changer 11 includes a tool correspondence table A showing a correspondence relation between a program-designated tool T0001 designated in a machining program O0001 and an actual use tool T0003 actually used according to the machining contents designated in the machining program, wherein the actual use tool corresponding to the program-designated tool is found by using the tool correspondence table A and the found actual use tool is decided as a subsequent process tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Takayuki NISHIOKA, Yoshihiro TAKIGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8145348
    Abstract: A tool selection method, for a machine tool, comprising the steps of identifying the maximum tip distance (D2) of a currently selected tool (141), a next designated tool (142) and an intermediate tool (143) disposed therebetween; moving a tool rest (10) in the +(plus)X-axis direction after a machining by the currently selected tool (141) is completed until the tip of the currently selected tool (141) is spaced from a workpiece (W) along the X-axis by a distance provided by adding a clearance distance (E) to a difference between the maximum tip distance (D2) and the tip distance (D3) of the currently selected tool (141); moving the tool rest (10) in the +(plus)Y-axis direction until the tip of the next designated tool (142) is aligned with the rotation center axis (12a) of the workpiece (W) in the X-axis direction; and moving the tool rest (10) in the ?(minus)X-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Shibui
  • Patent number: 8114000
    Abstract: A tool changing unit moves between a magazine position and a changing position to transfer a tool. A machine tool has a plurality of tool changing positions. One of the tool changing positions is selected in advance for changing the tools next time. The tool changing unit and the tool mounted on a tool spindle move to the selected changing position for changing the tools in the selected changing position. Accordingly, the tool changing unit and the tool spindle move respective short distances for changing the tools, thereby shortening the non-machining time of a machine tool combined with the automatic tool changer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yasuda, Hiroto Matsushita
  • Patent number: 8068922
    Abstract: In a method for operating a field device working according to the block model for a distributed automation system, which exchanges data via a fieldbus, a first function block application serving for process control is provided, which makes available to other system participants process data via a first virtual field device object. In addition, a second function block application is provided, which serves for plant monitoring and which makes available to other system participants plant monitoring data via a second virtual field device object, wherein the first and second function block applications are executed according to different schedules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Process Solutions AG
    Inventor: Eugenio Ferreira Da Silva Neto
  • Patent number: 8052588
    Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a tool replacement system that is capable of preventing the waiting time from occurring as much as possible although an intermediate magazine arranged therefore has a smaller capacity than prior arts. In the tool replacement system, programs pertaining to the sequence of operation and operation time of operating tools 7 are established, wherein, when the operation time of individual tools 7 is shorter than the conveyance time for reciprocation of the tool conveyance apparatus 3 between the tool magazine 1 and the tool replacement arm 4, the object can be solved by realizing transfer of at least a part of the tools planned to be operated in a next process of the corresponding individual tools 7 to the tool replacement arm 4 after the tools are arranged to the intermediate magazine 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Matsuura Machinery Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichi Amaya, Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Arakawa, Tomohiro Shintani
  • Patent number: 8032248
    Abstract: A method for finding the correlation between tool PM (prevention maintenance) and the product yield of the tool is disclosed. The method uses a moving average method to magnify a curve trend that is formed by the product yield data that is captured during a predetermined days before PM and after PM. The magnified curve trend is shown by a Cumulative sum chart. The Cumulative sum chart is analyzed for informing related workers of the effect between the tool PM and the product yield, so as to accurately estimate PM timing. Thereby, via the method, the effect between the tool PM and the product yield may be determined, which serves as an important reference for workers to execute further PM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Inotera Memories, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Feng Lee, Chun Chi Chen, Yun-Zong Tian, Wei Jun Chen, Tsung-Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 8001824
    Abstract: A bending apparatus for bending a work using a punch mounted onto an upper table and a die mounted onto a lower table by operation of a ram consisting of the upper table or the lower table includes: a machining information determining means for determining bending sequences, tools, tool layouts, and work positions, based on product information; a tool management database for accumulating numbers of uses of each tool that actually bent the work along with operation of the ram, based on the determined work positions, tools and tool layouts; a number of uses of tool detecting means for detecting number of uses of each mounted tool, referring to the tool management database; and a displaying means for displaying number of uses of relevant predetermined tool, when the detected number of uses of each tool becomes equal or approximate to a durable number of uses, or when a display command signal from a worker side is input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Amada Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichio Akami, Taketoshi Umemoto, Fujihiko Futami, Masaaki Sato
  • Patent number: 8005567
    Abstract: A control system (41) comprises a control program (42) which accesses a stored database (43) holding a predefined set of rules for performing predetermined machine tool operations, from which rules computer instructions can be derived for controlling an NC machine tool. A solid model (44) of a component to be manufactured is input to the control program (42). The solid model (44) is in the form of a computer model programmed using the International Geometry Export Standard (IGES). In operation, the control program (42) performs a feature recognition operation on the IGES data to identify geometric features present in the solid model (44). Having identified the geometric features present, the control program (42) uses the set of rules in the database (43) to generate control data in the form of a composite set of computer instructions for working the features of the component represented in the solid model (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Airbus Operations Limited
    Inventors: Stephen P Porter, Christopher N. R. Wilson, Robert J Lloyd, Ian P Williams, Stephen A Banks
  • Patent number: 7974733
    Abstract: A method for estimating a plurality of geometrical parameters defining the size of a weld gun that has particular application for automatically selecting a weld gun for a welding operation. The method includes iteratively estimating a plurality of geometric parameters based on part section curves corresponding to a direction of approach of the weld gun to weld point of the plurality of weld points. Thereafter, a set of valid weld gun sizes are calculated based on the estimated plurality of geometric parameters. Similarly all the valid weld gun sizes are calculated corresponding to each of the weld gun approach direction. Further, each set of the valid gun sizes are estimated for each of the weld point for the welding operation. Finally, a weld gun for performing the welding operation is selected based on the set of weld gun sizes corresponding to the welding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ashish Gupta, Gopalakrishna Shastry, Narahari K. Hunsur
  • Patent number: 7974732
    Abstract: A control system for a modular reconfigurable numerically controlled machine comprising at least one memory storage device associated with each of a plurality of detachable modular components to store kinematic and connection information about the modular component. The information in the memory storage devices is read and processed by a main processing unit when the modular component is attached to a primary structure of the numerically controlled machine. The control system further comprises a plurality of component actuators, which receive control signals from the main processing unit, to actuate the modular components attached to the numerically controlled machine. A hardware component connector may provide at least one of a physical, electrical, communications, and pneumatic connection between the primary structure of the numerically controlled machine and the modular components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Wampler, Muhammad Zia Ullah
  • Patent number: 7933677
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a motion control system for a machine tool system wherein a value of a surface finish quality parameter of the motion control system is adjusted to control the surface finish of a part machined with the machine tool system. The machine tool system may include a conversational mode of operation and a NC mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Hurco Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore Lankalapalli, Robert J Gorgol, Jr., Yongxing Hao, Song Liu, Judith W Miller
  • Publication number: 20110077762
    Abstract: A method and system are provided which reorders a sequence of operations of a part program to reduce the number of tool changes during execution of the program. The reordered sequence maintains a sequence of at least a first portion of the operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Paul J. Gray, Karl Szabo
  • Patent number: 7899574
    Abstract: Machine-tool controller (1) having: a drive control unit (13) controlling, based on moving-body operational commands, feed-mechanism actuation to control moving-body move-to points; a modeling data storage (15) storing moving-body and structural-element modeling data; and a screen display processor (20) for generating, based on the moving-body move-to points, data modeling the moving body having been moved into a move-to point, and for generating, and displaying on a screen display device (47) screen, image data in accordance with the modeling data generated. The screen display processor (20) generates and displays the image data in such a manner that a display-directing point, serving as a referent for displaying the moving body and being defined to be on that portion of the moving body where there is a risk of interference with the structural element, coincides with the central portion of the screen display device (47) screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Ogawa