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.

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.).

Abstract: A numerical controller for controlling a five-axis processing machine including three linear axes and two rotational axes for machining a workpiece attached onto a table thins out a command of a moving path of any one of the linear axes and a command of a tool direction if both of the change amount of a tool direction and the change amount of a linear axis in the command of the moving path are smaller than preset values, respectively.

Abstract: A method relating to near-net-shape machining of curved contours such as those occurring, for example, in the fabrication of blades for propulsion engines and the like is described. Accordingly, the shape error in curve grinding is minimized by suitable compensation functions, in particular by interpolating and approximating cubic splines. The present method minimizes the number of tests required to set up a grinding machining operation and thus the number of semifinished products required to do so. At the same time, rejects in fabrication of curved workpieces are reduced by increasing the machining quality. The use of complex chucking devices is avoided and cutting performance is maximized.

Abstract: A method for generating, by a direct process, a tool path for milling a region of a workpiece by a milling cutter is disclosed. The tool path consists of one or more passes. The method includes the steps of storing a maximum engagement of the milling cutter and defining each one of the one or more passes such that a value of the engagement, when traversing each one of the one or more passes, does not exceed the maximum value of engagement.

Abstract: This invention pertains to machinery and methods for cutting a workpiece utilizing a cutting tool into at least two parts having prescribed shapes from a metal plate comprising the steps of: identifying each of the parts by one or more contour lines; cutting a workpiece along one of the identifying contour lines into one of the parts; creating at least one path diversion, wherein the diversion has an associated bounded region or opportunity; cutting the workpiece along a contour line associated with the opportunity; resuming the cutting of the part along the identifying contour line with minimal damage to the part being cut; finishing the cutting of the part and then moving the cutting tool to the opportunity and thence to an associated adjacent identifying contour line and then repeating the process until all parts have been manufactured.

Abstract: A method for determining a deviation of at least one regulating variable on chip removal machines with a mechanical drive for a tool and/or a workpiece, regulated by a control system, wherein the regulation comprises a plurality of values of at least three spatial axes for the control system and for the drive, and the values have a functional relation with the axes. A protocol is prepared from a plurality of control system actual values detected by measuring devices and/or selected drive actual values and a control system nominal value and/or a drive nominal value is calculated at least in relation to an axis, and a control system differential value and/or a drive differential value is calculated at least in relation to the axis. A chip removal machine which implements such a method is disclosed.

Abstract: A raster cutting apparatus and method for producing accurately formed, aspheric ophthalmic lenses having a good quality surface finish. The accurate form and good surface finish are obtained by using a substantially spherically shaped cutting tool having a large radius. The methods include utilizing a cutting path which provides substantially constant cutting-force, such as a constant surface-cutting-speed raster pattern.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software products generate multi-pass contours for controlling a numerical control (NC) machine to cut out a part with weld preparation. Weld preparation information is combined with an electronic description of the part to form an enhanced electronic file. Multi-pass contours, usable to control an NC machine to cut out the part with at least one bevel, are generated based upon the enhanced electronic file.

Abstract: A system for generating milling codes includes a plurality of personal computers (10), a database (14), and an application server (12). The application server, connected between the personal computers and the database, includes a circular hole handling module (125), for handling circular holes of an engineering drawing, and receiving relevant parameters of the circular holes; a non-circular hole handling module (126), for determining and handling all non-circular holes of the engineering drawing, and receiving relevant parameters of the non-circular holes; a milling path generating module (128), for generating milling paths according to the parameters of the circular holes and the non-circular holes; and a milling code generating module (129), for generating milling codes according to the milling paths. A related method for generating milling codes is also provided.

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.

Abstract: A workpiece is milled by a tool of a milling machine to form a desired freeform surface. For this purpose, the tool is moved relative to the workpiece along at least one tool path defined via support points. The support points of the or each tool path are defined either in workpiece coordinates or in machine coordinates. For each tool path, at least one spline is produced in connection with the support points. The or each spline is output to a control arrangement of the milling machine, which controls the motion of the tool along the or each tool path on the basis of the or each corresponding spline.

Abstract: System and method for utilizing a drawing specification for motion control. A plurality of elements in a drawing specification may be automatically identified. The elements may include one or more lines, polygons, arcs, splines, alphanumeric characters, and/or ellipses. Additionally, the drawing specification may be a drawing or digital drafting file, e.g., an AutoCAD file, among others. An order of the plurality of elements may be automatically determined according to a sorting algorithm. The sorting algorithm may include a geometric and/or radial sorting algorithm. The radial sorting algorithm may specify the order of the elements according to nesting, e.g., nesting order and depth, and/or distance from the center of the drawing specification. Code may be automatically generated for implementing motion control based on the identified elements and the determined order. The generated code may include inserted operations such as raise, lower, and move operations, among others.

Abstract: One element is taken from a machined shape. When the element is a straight line element, whether or not the distance D between the start point and the end point of the element in a direction orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the workpiece is equal to or greater than a preset value Ds is determined. In addition, whether or not an angle A that the straight line element makes with the Z-axis is equal to or greater than a preset angle Aa is determined. When the distance D is equal to or greater than the preset value Ds and the angle A is equal to or greater than the preset angle Aa, a program is created with the cutting direction reversed from the profile direction.

Abstract: A spindle is subjected to speed control and contour control according to a path table in which the speed and the position of the spindle are stored in association with a time. A switchover command for starting a contour control during speed control and a time La at which the switchover is carried out are set in advance in the path table. When the time La is reached, a spindle speed Sa and a spindle position Xa corresponding to the time La are read. Then, a time Lb and a spindle position Xb for the start of the contour control, designated next, are read. A speed is obtained from the spindle speed Sa and a speed in a first path in the contour control so that the spindle position shifts from Xa to Xb in a period between the times La and Lb. The spindle is moved from the time La to the time Lb at the obtained speed according to a designated linear function.

Abstract: A numerical control unit issues a sequence of instructions for causing a spindle of a cutter disk in a tool machine to perform successive straight displacements approximating a spiral of Archimedes, with a predetermined angle step from one point to the next, and issues one or more ADIS instructions for merging each of the straight displacements with the next. The spiral path is such that the cutter disk will progressively shave a chip of a predetermined thickness over several revolutions, until its cutting edge is near the intended groove bottom. The tool is then caused to follow a merging path leading to a final point lying on the intended groove bottom, and finally is caused to follow a full circular path coaxial to the bore starting from the final point.

Abstract: In a method and a device for cutting freeform surfaces, a workpiece is cut by a tool or a cutter to produce a desired freeform surface. For the purpose of cutting, the tool is moved along at least one defined tool path or cutting path relative to the workpiece. In addition to the, or each tool path, at least one guide curve is defined for a tool vector of the tool, the tool vector being oriented as a function of the, or each guide curve 12 during the cutting.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for modeling at least one section of a curve. Each section can be modeled by initially providing a pair of positions (fi, fi+1) of the section of the curve including associated directions (di, di+1) and curvatures (?i, ?i+1). Then, points b0, b1, b2, b3 and b4 can be identified based upon the pair of positions (fi, fi+1) and associated directions (di, di+1) and curvatures (?i, ?i+1). Thereafter, a quartic interpolant p(t) can be determined over an interval (i?t?i+1) based upon points b0, b1, b2, b3 and b4 to thereby model the section of the curve. The quartic interpolant can be determined such that the interpolant p(t) has a position, direction and curvature equal to fi, di and ?i, respectively, at t=i, and the interpolant p(t) has a position, direction and curvature equal to fi+1, di+1, and ?i+1, respectively, at t=i+1.

Abstract: A graphic contour extracting method includes: acquiring an image of a graphic form to be inspected; defining an inspection region for the image of the graphic form to be inspected by an inspection graphic form including at least one of a circle, an ellipse, a rectangle, a first rectangular graphic form, a second rectangular graphic form and a closed curved graphic form, at least one end of the first rectangular graphic form being replaced with any one of a semi-circle, a semi-ellipse and a parabola, at least one of four corners of the second rectangular graphic form being replaced with a ¼ circle or a ¼ ellipse, the closed curved graphic form being expressed by the following expression: ( x - x 0 ) 4 a 4 + ( y - y 0 ) 4 b 4 = 1 , and the inspection graphic form having an edge searching direction previously defined for at least one component thereof; and searching an edge of the graphic form to be inspected on the basis of the inspection graphic form to acquire contour infor

Abstract: An end mill 10 is a tool for milling a metal block such as a metal mold and is placed in a machine tool such as a milling machine when in use. The end mill 10 is used to provide a rotary milling cutter and a milling method using the same, in which it is possible to perform orthogonal milling and pocket milling to efficiently form four corners with small radius, without repeatedly milling using a small-diameter end mill. The end mill 10 has two cutting edges 11a and 11b at its distal portion, and an edge angle D1 formed by the two cutting edges 11a and 11b is 70.53 degrees.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the presently preferred invention provides a method and a computer-program product for generating a boundary path from a part geometry and a part boundary, where the part boundary is parametrically associated with the part geometry such that as the part geometry changes so does associated custom boundary member data.

Abstract: Relative movements of a tool and a workpiece are controlled by moving a tool axis in all spatial dimensions for the material-removal machining of the workpiece to produce a desired target contour of the workpiece by a sequence of relative movements along a tool trajectory of the tool. The tool trajectory is subdivided into a multiplicity of target segments along which the tool is in engagement with the workpiece so that the orientation of the tool axis is consistent within a target segment, while the orientation of the tool axis is variable over the entire tool trajectory, and a respective and point of a target segment is connected by a linking pivot movement, during which the tool does not engage the workpiece and in which the orientation of the tool axis is altered, with a starting point of a further target segment.

Abstract: A method of measuring discrete incremental feedback from motion systems that creates a discrete feedback pulse for every unit of motion that is accomplished by the motion system. The method comprises establishing a minimum feedback pulse sampling period, and accumulating feedback pulses during a sampling period. Upon the first feedback pulse after the minimum feedback pulse sampling period has passed, the current sampling period is ended, and the next sampling period is begun. The quantity of feedback pulses accumulated during the current sampling period is then determined.

Abstract: A system and method for interactively generating a family of mesh models is provided for use in engineering analysis. The system includes a user computer system having a memory, a processor, a user input device and a display device. The system also includes a remotely located computer system having a processor, a memory, and a data storage means and in communication with the user computer system. The system further includes a computer-generated geometric mesh base model stored in the data storage means, a computer-generated mesh feature stored in the data storage means, and a new mesh model including the base mesh model with a mesh feature that is stored in the data storage means. The method includes the steps of selecting a base model from a model library maintained in the data storage means. The method also includes the steps of creating a mesh feature that is defined by a modifiable set of parameters and saving the mesh feature in a mesh feature library maintained in the data storage means.

Abstract: A method of generating a smooth curve to perform interpolation from a commanded sequence of points by a numerical controller for a multi-axis machine tool having three linear axes and two or more rotary axes. Corrected command points are obtained for linear axes and for rotary axes. Components of corrected command points for linear axes and corrected command points for rotary axes are synthesized with each other so as to obtain a synthesized corrected command point. A curve passing through the synthesized corrected command points is generated to perform interpolation. As a result, a more appropriate curve interpolation method for a multi-axis machine tool having two or more rotary axes can be performed.

Abstract: An axis position is commanded according to data stored in a memory table where the axis position is stored in association with a reference value consisting of time or spindle position. For commanding the shape of a circular arc, a start and end points, a center position, and a radius of the circular arc and designation of sine or cosine are set in advance in the memory table. Then, a movement command for connecting the start point and the end point with the circular arc is output to each of axes, using a trigonometric function defined by the center position of the circular arc, the radius of the circular arc and the designation of sine or cosine, which have been set.

Abstract: A multiple axis servo control implements a multi-tasking PWM control unit to provide PWM signals for multiple axes in a single unit. A time slice mechanism provides axis selection signals based on a system clock signal to permit control parameters of the selected axis to be processed to control the selected motor drive axis. The single unit PWM control mechanism eliminates complex and costly multiple axis networks typically associated with independent servo motor controls for each axis in a multi-axis system. A single PWM unit implementation also permits the reduction of components for closed loop current control and closed loop velocity control in the multi-axis servo control system.

Abstract: An automatic programming apparatus includes a process division control section, which automatically divides a machining process executed to obtain a predetermined product shape from a material shape of a workpiece. The process division control section computes a removal shape, which is a shape to be removed from the material shape when executing the machining process, based on the material shape and the product shape. The process division control section defines a reference machining boundary that intersects a reference axis defined on the product shape and divides the volume of the removal shape into two equal parts. The process division control section defines, on the removal shape, a process division boundary that intersects the reference axis based on the reference machining boundary and the profile of the product shape. The machining process is divided into a first process and a second process with the process division boundary.

Abstract: A milling method is for producing milled structural components of materials that are difficult to machine by chip-cutting. A milling tool with a tool radius is rotationally driven about an axis of the milling tool to ensure a central rotation thereof, whereby a reference point of the milling tool preferably lying on the axis is moved on several curved paths, whereby the paths preferably comprise different curvatures, and whereby the milling tool is moved on the paths with a radial miller feed relative to the material. The curvature at each path point of each path is determined in such a manner that an optimized or maximized circumferential contact of the milling tool is ensured for each path point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for centering a log for veneer peeling in a lathe. In the method the log is first centered in the centering arrangement of the lathe equipment using centering alignment data based on the contour of the log. On the basis of the thus determined centering data, a computer simulation of peeling is carried out and the results thereof are displayed. The operator performs an alternative centering based on visual evaluation of the log end and, using this centering data, another computer simulation of log peeling is carried out. The peeling outcomes are displayed as an image. The peeling outcomes of all simulations are compared with each other and the centering of actual peeling operation is performed using the centering data giving the optimum yield of peeling.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus includes a hi-accuracy three-dimensional cutting apparatus for topographic modeling that is electronically coupled with a computer. The computer has a central processor that executes instructions, a memory for storing instructions to be executed, and non-volatile storage for storing the messages. The executable computer instructions of the system include one or more algorithms for converting the complex and randomly-occurring contours found in natural terrain into an efficient series of modeling material removal swaths defined in simplified 2-axis cross-sections that are cut adjacent and parallel to one another. The swaths are defined in a simplified 2-axis surface contour-following rotation cutting device moved by the system's CPU, driver software, driver circuitry and/or logic circuitry.

Abstract: A process and device for computer-aided adaptation of an application program for a machine tool is described. A sequence of control commands for feed axes of the machine tool defines a contour to be traveled by a tool relative to a workpiece. Based on the sequence of control commands, a computer determines sequential instructions for a round axle of the machine tool to track the contour and determines if, and possibly at which locations, the contour has angular or curvature discontinuities. When such angular or curvature discontinuities occur, the computer determines sequential instructions, so that the round axle begins to start accelerating before the angle or curvature discontinuities occurs, and the acceleration of the round axle terminates only after the angle or curvature discontinuity has ended.

Abstract: When a command radius r of a circular interpolation control exceeds a threshold value, a computer computes a speed limit for the circular speed at which the acceleration becomes constant. When the command radius r of the circular interpolation control is less than or equal to the threshold value, the computer 100 computes another speed limit for the circular speed at which r?3 or r?4 becomes constant, where ? is the angular frequency. The computer performs the circular interpolation control by safeguarding the circular speed from exceeding one of the speed limits in accordance with the command radius r of the circular interpolation control.

Abstract: Upon calculating a FEM model of a new model vehicle as a structure to be analyzed using that of an existing vehicle as a prototype structure, a computer sets a plurality of corresponding reference points on the outline of the new model vehicle and the FEM model of the existing vehicle, changes a mesh model included in the FEM model of the existing vehicle to the outer shape of the new model vehicle on the basis of that mesh model and the correspondence between these reference points, and merges additional information contained in the FEM model of the existing vehicle and its associated state with respect to the deformed mesh model, thus calculating the FEM model of the new model vehicle.

Abstract: A feature centric method of and system for monitoring the development and release process of a product, monitoring the development and release of a product, where the product is characterized by having a plurality of features is described. The method steps, which the system is configured to carry out, include enumerating features to be included in the product, enumerating tasks, task milestones, and task milestone completions identified to the features; enumerating required task approvals and feature approvals and completed task approvals and feature approvals, and enumerating required associated activities and completed associated activities. The enumeration preferably includes information to show linkages, associations, priorities, milestones, and missed milestones.

Abstract: A plurality of paths controlled by a multi-path numerical control device is divided into several groups in advance. When an alarm or single block stoppage occurs in any one path while the multi-path numerical control device is being operated, the operations of all the paths in the group to which the path belongs are stopped, whereas the operations of paths belonging to other groups are not stopped but instead continued.

Abstract: Disclosed is an appearance processing method comprising: designing a reference appearance for designing a set shape as a theoretical value; producing a specimen; comparing the reference appearance with the specimen and thus setting a deviation region; performing ion beam milling for milling the deviation region of the specimen by ion beam; and comparing the milling-processed specimen with the reference appearance after the ion beam milling thus to obtain a deviation and milling the deviation region repeatedly thus to make the specimen consist with the reference appearance. Accordingly, an arbitrary shape, a minute spherical surface, or an aspheric shape can be precisely processed, and a large quantity of fabrication by a uniform processing precision is possible.

Abstract: A numerically controlled curved-surface machining unit equipped with three linearly moving axes and, at least, one rotary axis, including a simultaneous multiple-axis control NC machine numerically controlled by a numerical control unit with a numerical control NURBS interpolation function. The unit enables reading, as CL (cutter location) data, tool control point vector data and tool axis vector data, along a machining direction on a workpiece coordinate system for a curved surface, obtaining feed rates therefor, and calculation by conversion of the CL data into position vectors of three linear axes on a machine coordinate system, rotation angles and feed rates on the machine coordinate system so as to operate the simultaneous multiple-axis control NC machine on the basis of a machine configuration of the simultaneous multiple-axis control NC machine.

Abstract: A method and system for describing a three-dimensional path of an industrial processing machine, such as a machine tool, a robot and the like, is disclosed. According to the disclosed method and system, the path is described by a curve that includes at least one interpolation, wherein at least one interpolation parameter is a function of an angle along the three-dimensional path.

Abstract: A numerically controlled curved-surface machining unit comprises a component converting matrix·angle-addition value forming function of converting CL (cutter location) data into components on a normal coordinate system on the basis of the machine configuration of the simultaneous multiple-axis control NC machine, a component converting function of converting from the workpiece coordinate system to the normal coordinate system, a function of forming second angles of a second rotary axis on the normal coordinate system, a compensating function of forming a continuous angle distribution from a distribution of the second angles, a function of forming first angles of a first rotary axis on a coordinate system rotated by the second angles at the second rotary axis, a compensating function of forming a continuous angle distribution from a distribution of the first angles, a machine coordinate transformation matrix forming function of obtaining a matrix for converting the tool control point vectors on the workpiece c

Abstract: In a method for machining a contoured recess, a digital control is used to predetermine elementary surfaces, which are linked in a contouring expression using logical operators to form a resulting surface. Various help types are offered to the user on a graphical user interface of the digital control. The operators are explained using graphic symbols and help text. The resultant surface is represented on the user interface.

Abstract: In a numerically controlled method of moving an object to be controlled along a predetermined locus, controlling control axes, the locus is made approximate to a spatial polynomial, a polynomial is converted into a polynomial as time function, the polynomial converted as time function is distributed to each control axis, control command in each control axis is produced on the basis of the polynomial distributed to each axis as time function, and the object to be controlled is moved along the locus, controlling each control axis on the basis of the control command. The velocity, the acceleration and the jerk of the object to be controlled can be easily obtained concerning each control axis in advance by differentiating the polynomial expressed by time function. The object to be controlled is controlled so as to move along the locus expressed by the polynomial, feeding irregularity or position shift is reduced and curved face machining at high accuracy is possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling motion through consecutive linear spans that define a corner in a desired motion path, such as a motion path in a machine tool system for example, is disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of data points that define a desired motion path is provided, and the plurality of data points define a plurality of consecutive spans. It is determined whether two consecutive linear spans define a corner having an angle within a predetermined range, and if so, a non-linear path is determined which connects to the two consecutive linear spans with continuity in curvature. An actuator is then controlled according to the non-linear path.

Abstract: A room occupancy sensor, a home automation system and a method for automatic control of controlled devices throughout a home. A unique architecture of occupancy sensors includes entry/exit sensors for detecting movement through doorways that separate rooms in the home, room motion sensors for detecting room occupancy, spot sensors to detect occupancy of specific locations within the rooms, and house status sensors to detect the status of certain parameters of the home. A central controller communicates with the sensors and controlled objects over a communications network, where the sensors and controlled objects can be added to the system in a ‘plug and play’ manner. The central controller controls the controlled objects in response to the entry/exit sensors, room motion sensors, spot sensors and the house status sensors. This control is accomplished by assigning each room to one of a plurality of room states, which dictate how the controlled objects are controlled by the central controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is directed to an integration of a computer modeling process in which a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine is used for manufacture or rapid prototyping. As a result, conventional processes that require a level of human interface during the intermediate stages are minimized or otherwise removed. Intermediate stages include Computer Aided Design(CAD) stage, Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) stage, Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) stage and Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine stage. By using Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS), a CAD data file is converted for direct input to the CNC machine that is able to read NURBS instruction codes.

Abstract: A method and system for approximately reproducing the surface of a workpiece should enable the contour of the workpiece to be reconstructed in a particularly simple manner. The invention provides that a starting body, which represents, in whole or in part, the workpiece in a first approximation step, is subdivided into a number of partial volumes, whereby for a reproduction of the workpiece in a second approximation step, the partial volumes are selected for which a step involving an analytical reproduction of the milling volume, which stretches from the milling cutter along a covered milling path, is established.

Abstract: In a method for producing embossing plates, in particular steel intaglio printing plates, a plane element is determined from a line drawing, the edge of the plane element defining a desired contour. A tool track is then calculated from the desired contour and a desired depth associated with the plane element, to be used for guiding an engraving tool such that the partial area is removed.

Abstract: A method, program embodied on a computer readable medium, and various systems are provided for generating a process trajectory. A normalized image of an object is displayed on a display device of a computer system, the object including a surface that is to be processed using an end effector. A number of predefined trajectories are stored in a memory of the computer system, each of the predefined trajectories defining a motion of the end effector to process a surface of one of a number of spatial definitions. A trajectory generation system is implemented to generate the process trajectory for the end effector to process the surface of the object by associating at least one of the predefined trajectories with the normalized image.

Abstract: A machine tool 10 to fashion objects from blocks of material having a material-remover 16 able to move in at least two degrees of freedom and having the material 18 controlled by processing circuitry. The processing circuitry 18 determines a path along which the material-remover 16 should move, allowing the depth of a cut made by the material remover to vary. The movement of the material-remover 16 is so controlled to improve bulk material removal when compared to prior art machines.

Abstract: In a method for machining a contoured recess, a digital control is used to predetermine elementary surfaces, which are linked in a contouring expression using logical operators to form a resulting surface. Various help types are offered to the user on a graphical user interface of the digital control. The operators are explained using graphic symbols and help text. The resultant surface is represented on the user interface.