For Curve Or Contour Patents (Class 700/187)
  • Patent number: 8594831
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a conversational automatic programming device or the like capable of generating an NC program in a simpler manner and in a shorter period of time. The automatic programming device is provided with, a machining-profile setting processor in which based on data for specifying a geometric entity selected as a contour shape of a machined portion, out of geometric entities of a geometry defined by two-dimensional CAD data, the geometric entity corresponding to the data is recognized, and based on the recognized geometric entity, a machining profile which is the contour shape of the machined portion is set; a CL-data generating processor for generating tool path data based on the set machining profile; and an NC-program generating processor for generating an NC program based on the generated tool path data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bingyan Zhao, Jui-jen Chuang, Jiewu Lu, Meng Wang
  • Publication number: 20130282161
    Abstract: An automated computer-implemented method for generating commands for controlling a computer numerically controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the method including the steps of selecting a maximum permitted engagement angle between a rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, selecting a minimum permitted engagement angle between the rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, and configuring a tool path for the tool relative to the workpiece in which the engagement angle gradually varies between the maximum permitted engagement angle and the minimum permitted engagement angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Michael BERMAN, Doron OSOVLANSKI, Christopher Matthew CALDERONE, Anthony Joseph CALDERONE
  • Publication number: 20130268109
    Abstract: A computing device is electronically connected with an image measuring machine. A cutting tool is fixed on a rotatable holder of the image measurement machine. The rotatable holder rotates the cutting tool, and an image capturing device captures one or more images of the cutting tool. The image measurement machines transmits image data in relation to the cutting tool, including X, Y coordinate values of pixels in each image measured by X, Y raster rulers, and a Z coordinate value of each image measured by a Z raster ruler, to the computing device. The computing device determines three-dimensional (3D) contour points of the cutting tool by processing the image data, aligns the set of 3D contour points with a reference contour image of the cutting tool, and determines whether a design of the cutting tool is qualified according to the set of 3D contour points and the reference contour image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD
    Inventors: CHIH-KUANG CHANG, XIN-YUAN WU
  • Publication number: 20130218323
    Abstract: Provided is a numerical controller having a machining curve creating function. A command point sequence is divided into a plurality of segments and a segment curve corresponding to each segment command point sequence is created. The segment curve is created so that a distance of the segment curve from the segment command point sequence is within a permissible value set in advance, and the maximum number of command points are included between a starting point and an ending point of the segment command point sequence. This process of segment curve creation is repetitively executed from the starting point to the ending point of the command point sequence to create a machining curve. Subsequently, the machining curve is interpolated and drive axes of a machine tool are moved to the interpolated positions on the machining curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: FANUC CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8504188
    Abstract: In a method, device and in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for computer-assisted generation of a manipulator path of a computer-controlled manipulator, a processor is loaded with a virtual tool and generates a virtual tool path based in a virtual component and the loaded virtual tool. The processor is also loaded with a virtual manipulator kinematic and generates a virtual manipulator path based on the virtual tool path and the virtual manipulator kinematic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Kuka Laboratories GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Keibel
  • Patent number: 8483865
    Abstract: Coordinate values of a tool center point is calculated by obtaining coordinate values at each time of respective drive axes driven by a numerical controller. A tool radius compensation vector connecting the calculated tool center point at each time and an actual machining point is obtained. Then, coordinate values of the actual machining point are calculated based on the calculated coordinate values of the tool center point and the obtained tool radius compensation vector, and the trajectory of the actual machining point is displayed on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Yasusuke Iwashita, Tadashi Okita, Junichi Tezuka
  • Patent number: 8483858
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose a method for optimizing a simulation of a machining of a workpiece performed by removing a set of swept volumes from a volume of the workpiece, wherein the volume is partitioned into a set of cells, comprising the steps of: associating with each cell a subset of distance fields representing a subset of swept volumes intersecting with the cell, wherein at least part of the subset of swept volumes forms a composite surface of the cell; subjecting the cell with a set of rays incident to the cell from at least one direction; and selecting a distance field of the subset of distance fields into an optimal subset associated with the cell, wherein a boundary of the swept volume represented by the distance field intersects with at least one ray at a point of intersection lying on the composite surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Sullivan, William S. Yerazunis
  • Patent number: 8473092
    Abstract: A working route of a main shaft is divided into a plurality of measurement points, and a length from a center of a complete round to the working route of the main shaft at each of the measurement points is measured, and this measured value is compared with a radial length of the complete round to operate a deviation amount from the complete round at each of the measurement points. This deviation amount is utilized to find a transferred position. As correction values for correcting the deviation value, an X-axis incremental amount and a Y-axis incremental amount obtained from a difference in the transferred position between the respective measurement points, or an X-axis absolute value and a Y-axis absolute value of the transferred position at each of the measurement points are incorporated into an NC working program to perform complete round working according to the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Horkos Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Sugata, Kunihiko Murakami
  • Patent number: 8442665
    Abstract: A system is disclosed including a three-dimensional object having a non-conforming region, and a photogrammetry device adapted to scan the three-dimensional object. The system further includes optical reference targets and a controller structured to perform functions of repairing the three-dimensional object. The controller commands the photogrammetry device to scan the three-dimensional object, and calculates a nominal surface location and contour for the three-dimensional object. The controller further commands the photogrammetry device to scan the non-conforming region of the three-dimensional object, and calculates a material removal tool path comprising a path adapted to remove material from the object located beyond the nominal surface location and contour. The controller generates a solid model of the damaged region of the object based on the nominal surface location and contour, and computes a material addition tool path according to the solid model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Krause
  • Patent number: 8428767
    Abstract: A method for cutting out a panoply of parts. This cutting-out method includes producing data relating to points defining the contour of each part and to the position of each part in a Cartesian frame of reference of the panoply, grouping the parts together into at least one subset, each subset embodied by a box being considered as a single part; grouping the subsets into at least one set, each set embodied by a box being considered as a single part; establishing an order in which to cut out the parts from the subsets and sets defined respectively a cutting-out step in which the cutting-out tool moves from part to part in the cutting-out order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Laurent Tremoureux, Jean-Christophe Hamann
  • 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: 8386069
    Abstract: A method of synchronizing a pickup of a handling device, a computer readable medium and a control device are disclosed. During movement, a pickup of a multi-axis handling device is synchronized with an object to be picked up which is carried along by a conveyor device. Furthermore, the pickup is synchronized with a moving conveyor device in order to put the object down onto the conveyor device. The pickup is synchronized along a computationally-determined polynomial path of at least the 3rd order between a starting point and a destination point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Guido Hartmann, Tino Heber, Andre Heydenreich, Holger Hüfner, Raimund Kram
  • Publication number: 20120312133
    Abstract: A free form cutting machine is disclosed. The free form cutting machine includes a table, a spindle; and a cutting arrangement attached to the spindle. The cutting arrangement having at least a cutting tool used to cutting selected portions from a workpiece on the table. The free form cutting machine causes the cutting tool to apply a continuous shaping force to the surface of the workpiece until a first surface shape of the workpiece conforms with a predefined finished spline surface shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Piotr S. Trzaskos, John P. Ternus, Carlo Catalano
  • Publication number: 20120253504
    Abstract: A cutting apparatus is disclosed in which a cutting blade and an object to be cut are moved relative to each other so that a desired pattern is cutout of the object. The cutting apparatus includes an arranging unit arranging the pattern in a cut-allowable region of the object, a frame setting unit setting a minimum boundary frame which is polygonal or curved in shape and includes a contour of the pattern arranged by the arranging unit, and a cutting data generating unit generating outer line cutting data for cutting an outer line dividing a first region near the pattern within the cut-allowable region and a second region other than the first region, outside the boundary frame, based on the boundary frame. The pattern and the outer line are cut out of the object based on pattern cutting data for cutting the pattern and the outer line cutting data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Kawaguchi, Masahiko Nagai, Tomoyasu Niizeki, Yoshinori Nakamura, Katsuhisa Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 8265783
    Abstract: Lift data in which a lift amount is set based on a lift data rotation angle is read to identify the shape of a non-circular workpiece, and a profile point group that is formed of a plurality of profile points, each of which indicates a tool reciprocation position that corresponds to a spindle rotation angle, is calculated based on the read lift data. Then, the calculated profile point group is divided into a plurality of groups each of which is formed of the profile points that satisfy a group division condition, the two groups that satisfy a group comparison condition are selected, and the profile point that satisfies a specific point deletion condition that is set in advance for the combination of the selected two groups is deleted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Saito
  • Publication number: 20120221140
    Abstract: An automated computer-implemented method for generating commands for controlling a computer numerically controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the method including the steps of selecting a maximum permitted engagement angle between a rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, selecting a minimum permitted engagement angle between the rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, and configuring a tool path for the tool relative to the workpiece in which the engagement angle gradually varies between the maximum permitted engagement angle and the minimum permitted engagement angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: SOLIDCAM LTD.
    Inventors: Michael Berman, Doron Osovlanski, Christopher Calderone, Anthony Calderone
  • Patent number: 8249742
    Abstract: To provide a method to carry out complicated surface machining such as graining or the like without decreasing machining accuracy and machining efficiency. In a machine tool including a main spindle head capable of relatively moving in three perpendicular directions with respect to a workpiece and an additional spindle being provided at the main spindle head and capable of moving in a Z spindle direction, while the main spindle head relatively moves with respect to a working surface S of the workpiece along a smoothly curved surface R which is smoothed so as to be restricted within the movement distance in the moving direction of the additional spindle, the additional spindle moves by a difference between the working surface S and the smoothly curved surface R, and makes a tool T to machine the working surface S.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Hasebe, Katsuya Hioki, Shunske Wakaoka
  • Patent number: 8235770
    Abstract: An eyeglass lens processing apparatus includes: a processing tool which processes a peripheral edge of the lens and includes a roughing tool, a beveling tool and a bevel-modifying tool; a selection unit which is used to select a high curve beveling mode for forming a bevel in the lens fitted into a high curve frame having a protrusion portion; a modifying portion data input unit inputs data of a portion to be modified so as to prevent an interference between the lens and the protrusion portion; a calculation unit which obtains bevel-modifying data on the basis of a bevel path and data of the modifying portion; and a processing control portion which performs the beveling to the lens by the beveling tool in accordance with the beveling data, and removes a part of the bevel shoulder and/or the bevel slope by the bevel-modifying tool in accordance with the bevel-modifying data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nidek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirokatsu Obayashi
  • Publication number: 20120196510
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for machining an exterior surface of a metal alloy casing of a portable electronic device to form a combination of a flat edge surface, a curved edge surface and a flat bottom surface is disclosed. The flat edge surface is abraded by contacting a first flat section of a rotating cutting tool along a first circuit of a pre-determined continuous spiral path. The curved edge surface is abraded by contacting a convex section of the rotating cutting tool along additional circuits of the first pre-determined continuous spiral path. The pitch of vertical movement of the cutting tool is adjusted for each circuit of the continuous spiral path based on a resulting curvature of the metal alloy casing. The bottom surface is abraded by contacting a flat section of the cutting tool along a second pre-determined alternating direction linear path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Franklin, Kevin Gibbs, Christopher J. Stringer, Daniel J. Coster, Donald Q. Ross, III, David Kim, Chuan You Su, Max A. Maloney, Erik D. Gillow
  • Patent number: 8155780
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for the automated adjustment of the position of a cutting tool when cutting dental aligner material includes using a computer for generating digital data that define (a) a first cutting angle in a labial cutting area along a dynamic cutting curve, (b) a second cutting angle in a lingual cutting area along the dynamic cutting curve, and (c) a third cutting angle in a back molar cutting area along the dynamic cutting curve. The cutting tool is automatically moved from the labial cutting area to the back molar cutting area while gradually increasing a cutting tool angle from the first cutting angle to the third cutting angle. The cutting tool is also automatically moved from the lingual cutting area to the back molar cutting area while gradually increasing the cutting tool angle from the second cutting angle to the third cutting angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Qinghui Peter Lu, Dmitry Sultanov, Pavel Agapov, Artem Borovinsklh, Maneesh Dhagat, Craig E. Farren, James C. Culp
  • Patent number: 8145347
    Abstract: In a numerical control apparatus, a rotation-axis filtering processor subjects an angle change amount between interpolation points between rotation angles of a rotation axis to moving average filtering thereby smoothing the angle change amount between the interpolation points. A translation-axis timing synchronization unit subjects a moving amount between interpolation points between tool-tip positions of a translation axis to moving average filtering, to synchronize timing of rotation of the rotation axis being smoothed and timing of movement of the translation axis. A coordinate transformation unit transforms the tool-tip position into coordinates of a machine position of the translation axis according to a configuration of the machine tool, from each tool-tip position after timing synchronization between axes of the translation axis is performed and from each rotation angle of the rotation axis after being filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Nakamura, Tomonori Sato
  • Patent number: 8137038
    Abstract: A machining method of a press die having a pierce cutter and a secondary relief-clearance area recessed inward relative to a profile of the pierce cutter is provided. A plunge cutting tool having a tool body and at least one edge portion provided on an outer circumference of an end of the tool body is used, the edge portion being protruding from the outer circumference of the tool body and being capable of carving while rotating around an axis of the tool body and moving in an axial direction of the tool body. While rotating the plunge cutting tool with an axis of the tool body being approximately parallel to a surface of the pierce cutter, the plunge cutting tool is relatively moved along the profile of the pierce cutter. The plunge cutting tool is also relatively moved in the axial direction of the tool body along the shape of the pierce cutter and the secondary relief-clearance area in a piercing direction each time the plunge cutting tool is relatively moved by a predetermined pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouichi Katoh, Takamasa Itoh, Yoshiaki Mikami, Norihiro Miyazawa, Hirofumi Shinohara
  • Publication number: 20120065768
    Abstract: An NC machining system includes a chuck that clamps a workpiece; a first rotation axis, located opposite the chuck, that rotates as a main axis; a second rotation axis that rotates about its center on the first axis; a numerical control apparatus that outputs, according to on pre-programmed machining instructions, rotation commands for the first and the second rotation axes; and a tool, fixed on the second rotation axis, that moves along a circumference of the workpiece by a rotation of the first rotation axis, and whose machining radius is determined by a rotation of the second rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiro Sakata
  • Publication number: 20120046782
    Abstract: In a method for producing at least one surface on a workpiece by a material removal tool and a corresponding material removal device, the surface is produced quickly and at low cost. Based on any surface to be produced, a movement path of the material removal tool is controlled to produce a ruled surface approximating to the surface, the movement path being provided in the form of a curve on a dual unit sphere, wherein a curve point corresponds to a location and an orientation of the removal tool. The curve can be produced based on ruling lines, which are converted into points, interpolated by a dual sphere spline interpolation algorithm, on the dual unit sphere by mathematical transformations. The curve can then be transformed back or can be used directly to follow the material removal tool. Likewise, directrix curves can be determined by the dual sphere spline interpolation algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Jörg Schulze, Yayun Zhou
  • Patent number: 8103376
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for the on-machine 2-D contour measurement, employing the contour measurement, coordinate system transformation, error identification, and image matching theory in image processing field to develop the on-machine measurement of X-Y-plan manufacturing error of a micro device manufactured by a high-precision micro-device machine tool, contour error, and trace error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Chung Yuan Christian University
    Inventors: Shih-Ming Wang, Han-Jen Yu
  • Patent number: 8103375
    Abstract: A method for finishing a part having excess material includes generating one or more surfaces on a model of the part to be machined, creating a machining tool path drive geometry, using the machine tool path drive geometry and one or more surfaces on the model to be machined to generate machining tool paths on the surfaces; and running tool paths on the part in a fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Randall Maurice Ouellette, Jeffrey Robert Close, James Henry Madge
  • Patent number: 8021154
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing one or several dental prostheses, comprising the steps of: performing a rapid prototyping method for manufacturing one or several dental prostheses and subsequent working, such as reworking, of the one or several dental prostheses with a machining method, such as a milling method. In addition, a method for creating a data record which can be used for a rapid prototyping method for manufacturing a dental prosthesis wherein an end data record is obtained from a starting data record, so that in at least one area of a dental prosthesis manufactured with the end data record excess material is provided, compared to a dental prosthesis manufactured with the starting data record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Straumann Holding AG
    Inventors: Stephan Holzner, Gerhard Weber
  • Patent number: 8014894
    Abstract: The present invention is related to manufacturing surfaces with an axis decentered from the spindle axis. In particular, the present invention is related to compensating for tool geometry in cutting processes that involve an oscillating tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Stephen Kendig, Cornelius Daniel Niculas, Jason Emanuele Molinari, Nelson David Baity
  • Patent number: 8014893
    Abstract: A groove (Da) extending in a Y-axis direction of a workpiece (D) is finish machined with an offset tool (T) that has a cross-section with a shape (L3) offset in a reducing direction by only a predetermined offset amount relative to a finished shape (L1) of the groove (Da) and that rotates around an axis of rotation parallel to a Z axis. Each time an incising step in which the offset tool (T) is relatively moved within the X-Z plane only by a predetermined distance on the circumference of an imaginary circle (C) having an initial position as its center and the offset amount (o) as its radius is carried out, a cutting step in which the entire length of the groove (Da) is cut while relatively moving the offset tool (T) in the Y-axis direction is carried out repeatedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Miki, Joji Kikuhara
  • Patent number: 8010328
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah F. Frisken, Ronald N. Perry, Alan Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20110202167
    Abstract: Coordinate values of a tool center point is calculated by obtaining coordinate values at each time of respective drive axes driven by a numerical controller. A tool radius compensation vector connecting the calculated tool center point at each time and an actual machining point is obtained. Then, coordinate values of the actual machining point are calculated based on the calculated coordinate values of the tool center point and the obtained tool radius compensation vector, and the trajectory of the actual machining point is displayed on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasusuke Iwashita, Tadashi Okita, Junichi Tezuka
  • Patent number: 8000833
    Abstract: A system for cutting a given portion of a surface of a core insert includes a piezoelectric actuator, a turning tool, a rotating member, a driving unit and a numerically-controlled unit. The controlling unit stores coordinates of the storing coordinates of each point on the given portion of the surface in a predetermined coordinate system, and compares the instant coordinates of the cutting portion of the turning tool with the stored coordinates of the given portion, thus controlling the piezoelectric actuator to drive the turning tool to cut the given portion of the surface if the coordinates of the cutting portion of the turning tool match with the stored coordinates of any point on the given portion of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Ssu Chiu, Kun-Jung Tsai
  • Publication number: 20110178629
    Abstract: A method for generating a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece is disclosed. The region has a first side meeting at its respective ends a first end of each of a second side and a third side. The method includes the steps of: (1) determining, using a computer, a radius of curvature and a center of each of a succession of circularly shaped tool passes, each successive tool pass advancing into the region from the first side of the region, wherein the radius of curvature and the center of each advancing tool pass is determined such that an engagement of the cutter following the tool path does not exceed a predetermined value of cutter engagement, and (2) generating instructions for controlling the milling cutter to mill the region in accordance with the generated tool path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: SURFWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Alan DIEHL, Robert B. PATTERSON
  • Patent number: 7983786
    Abstract: Neutral data computer control system for a multiaxis machine tool for producing workpieces having a helicoidal generated surface with an optional computer system (1) for generating machine control parameters for a multiaxis machine tool (2, 2a) in which there is provided at least one virtual axis, which can be parameterized as a guiding axis for other axes and then serves only for the synchronization of these other axes, and with at least one data processing unit and at least one memory, the data processing unit being set up in programming terms in such a way that it generates at least one data carrier or an electronic carrier signal (3) with machine control parameters for the machine (2, 2a), or an optional computer program or a computer program product for this and at least one such multiaxis machine tool (2, 2a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Trinary Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Blumberg, Stefan Dirrichs, Wolfgang London, Gary Töpfer
  • Publication number: 20110166693
    Abstract: A main control process is made common to all machine tools by describing in a NC program a tool trajectory including a change in posture in a coordinate system (30) fixed to a machining object (W), fixedly arranging a preparatory reference coordinate system (20) on a machine table (2), representing an installation position of the machining object (W) and a position of a spindle (91) on which a tool (11) is mounted in the preparatory reference coordinate system (20), and containing portions relating to a configuration of axes in a conversion function group of correlation between the position (q) of the spindle (91) and an axis coordinate (r). Thus, the processes of reading the NC program, correction of the tool trajectory and conversion into the trajectory of a spindle position based on the installation position of the machining object, the tool shape, and tool dimensions are made completely common.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: SHIN NIPPON KOKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobutaka Nishibashi
  • 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: 7962240
    Abstract: A method for synchronizing a slave follower with a master source is provided. The method includes defining a relationship between the master source and the slave follower, inputting a first position of the master source, and inputting a first position of the slave follower. The method also includes defining a second position where the slave follower synchronizes with the master source, and fitting a curve between the first position of the slave follower the second position. The curve is fit based on the relationship between the master source and the slave follower, the first position of the slave follower, the first position of the master source, and the second position. The curve is fit to synchronize the slave follower and the master source without exceeding pre-determined boundaries of the slave follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: GE Intelligent Platforms, Inc.
    Inventors: William Lindsay Morrison, Daniel H. Miller
  • Patent number: 7957832
    Abstract: A method for vibration avoidance in automated machinery produces actuator space-time contours that meet design objectives of the machinery while suppressing energy content at frequencies in the space-time contour, by concatenating multiple space-time contour segments together in such a way as to be mostly free of energy at the frequencies of interest while meeting other specified design goals. The segments used to construct these frequency-optimized-contours are a series of concatenated polynomial segments, the independent variable t being time. These segments can define the variable to be controlled (e.g. speed or distance) versus time, or define one of the controlled variable's time-derivatives (e.g., the slope of the speed vs. time, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Teknic, Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Joseph Testa
  • Patent number: 7877162
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the manufacture of adapted, fluidic surfaces on a gas turbine blade is disclosed. In an embodiment, the process includes: (a) generating a nominal milling program for the manufacture of fluidic surfaces in the region of one flow inlet edge and/or one flow outlet edge for an ideal gas turbine blade; (b) measuring the area of an actual gas turbine blade in the region of one flow inlet edge and/or one flow outlet edge thereof; (c) generating a milling program adapted to the actual gas turbine blade, where measured values determined in step (b) are used to adapt the nominal milling program generated in step (a) to the milling program for the actual gas turbine blade; and (d) manufacturing of the fluidic surfaces on the actual gas turbine blades by milling with the use of the milling program generated in step (c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Arndt Glaesser, Stefan Heinrich
  • Publication number: 20110007453
    Abstract: A method is used for forming a concavo-convex textured structure on a housing of an electronic device. The method includes providing a CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) drawing corresponding to the concavo-convex textured structure, inputting the CAM drawing into a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milling machine, disposing a workpiece on the CNC milling machine, and utilizing the CNC milling machine to mill the concavo-convex textured structure on the workpiece according to the CAM drawing, and utilizing the workpiece to manufacture the housing of the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Chen-Feng Hsieh, Ya-Chi Hsiao
  • Patent number: 7869899
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for fitting a workpiece to geometric design data of a workpiece. Nominal data points are selected from the geometric design data. Command codes are created to generate measured data points. The measurement data points have associated nominal measurement points which are used to fit the workpiece to the geometric design data. The apparatus and method may also be used to determine whether a workpiece is within tolerance and for process control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Peter Russell Hammond, Anthony Brown
  • Patent number: 7853335
    Abstract: For operating controlled machines, a slave motion of at least one movable machine element of the machine is controlled using a motion profile specific to that motion, and this motion profile of the motion of the machine element is subdivided into a plurality of profile segments. The profile segments are each assigned masters, and the masters depend on predetermined command variables, motion profile in the individual profile segments depends in each case on the respective masters, at least two masters are different from one another, and at least two masters of the motion profile depend on command variables that are different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bartosz Korajda, Sebastian Krauskopf
  • Publication number: 20100268373
    Abstract: A method for cutting out a panoply of parts. This cutting-out method includes producing data relating to points defining the contour of each part and to the position of each part in a Cartesian frame of reference of the panoply, grouping the parts together into at least one subset, each subset embodied by a box being considered as a single part; grouping the subsets into at least one set, each set embodied by a box being considered as a single part; establishing an order in which to cut out the parts from the subsets and sets defined respectively a cutting-out step in which the cutting-out tool moves from part to part in the cutting-out order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: AIRBUS FRANCE
    Inventors: Laurent Tremoureux, Jean-Christophe Hamann
  • Patent number: 7809463
    Abstract: A machining apparatus, in which a plurality of user set programs in relation to one axis is written and the amount of the infeed motion of the grinding wheel is increased to restrain the change of the load of the grinding wheel, improves a machining accuracy and achieve a longer life of the grinding wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Yonezu, Hiroaki Sugiura, Yoshitaro Osaki
  • Patent number: 7792603
    Abstract: An approximate curve generation method according to the present invention generates an approximate curve as smooth as an original curve from point group data obtained by approximating a curve shape, and includes: an approximate polygon shape range determining step of sectioning point group data for each line segment of an approximate polygon shape which is generated when the point group data approximating the curve shape are obtained, and sorting the point group data close to a section boundary as valid point group data, and the point group data inside the valid point group data as invalid point group data; and an approximate curve generating step of regarding only the valid point group data, and generating an approximate curve passing through or close to the regarded valid point group data as an approximate curve to be finally obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuya Hioki
  • Patent number: 7792604
    Abstract: The present invention relates to navigation of a path by a moving object, and, more particularly, to motion control systems for computer-controllable machine tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hurco Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiawei Hong, Xiaonan Tan
  • Publication number: 20100173266
    Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a system and method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a surface is provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a gingival surface to facilitate cutting of an aligner material comprises the defining of initial gingival curves along the line around a tooth (LAT) on a patient's jaw, including within an interproximal area between teeth. The initial gingival curves are replaced with a modified, dynamic cutting curve comprising an offset adjustment configured to minimize weakening of a region of the aligner material within the interproximal area. This process for generating a modified, dynamic cutting curve within an interproximal area can be suitably applied or continued for each of other the teeth and interproximal areas between those teeth to define a complete dynamic cutting curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Qinghui Peter Lu, Dmitry Sultanov, Pavel Agapov, Artem Borovinskih, Maneesh Dhagat, Craig E. Farren, James C. Culp
  • Patent number: 7715942
    Abstract: In the method for controlling a movable tool, in particular a grinding tool, by means of a feed function that specifies the movement of the tool in time in at least one axis, an initial feed function in the form of at least one initial feed curve (29) is displayed on a monitor. From the initial feed function and from inputs effected by means of a pointing device, a feed function is calculated and displayed as a modified initial feed curve on the monitor. Control commands for moving the tool are produced from the feed function. The input of the feed function is simplified and rendered more flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Fritz Studer AG
    Inventors: Alfred Gaegauf, Martin Abbuehl
  • Patent number: 7711447
    Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a system and method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a surface is provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer-implemented method for automated generating of a cutting curve on a gingival surface to facilitate cutting of an aligner material comprises the defining of initial gingival curves along the line around a tooth (LAT) on a patient's jaw, including within an interproximal area between teeth. The initial gingival curves are replaced with a modified, dynamic cutting curve comprising an offset adjustment configured to minimize weakening of a region of the aligner material within the interproximal area. This process for generating a modified, dynamic cutting curve within an interproximal area can be suitably applied or continued for each of other the teeth and interproximal areas between those teeth to define a complete dynamic cutting curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Qinghui Peter Lu, Dmitry Sultanov, Pavel Agapov, Artem Borovinsklh, Maneesh Dhagat, Craig E. Farren, James C. Culp
  • Patent number: 7706913
    Abstract: A method for machining a workpiece 1 by means of a rotating cutting tool 2, in which the tool 2 is moved along paths 3 relative to the workpiece 1, characterized in that limits of machining portions to be machined by means of at least one tool 2 are determined, that within the range of the limits of machining portions to be machined by means of the tool 2 an infeed and/or lifting movement of the tool 2 is defined and that the infeed or lifting movement during machining of the workpiece 1 is carried out within the range of the limits of machining portions to be machined by means of the tool 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: P & L GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jürgen Röders