Abstract: Two shafts whose moving directions do not intersect orthogonally with each other are set, then any one shaft of two shafts as an oblique reference shaft is set, then information based on an angle between two shafts whose moving directions do not intersect orthogonally with each other are set, then a first program orthogonal coordinate system constructed such that a moving direction of the oblique reference shaft coincides with a command axis direction of the program orthogonal coordinate system and a second program orthogonal coordinate system constructed such that a moving direction of another shaft other than the oblique reference shaft coincides with a command axis direction of the program orthogonal coordinate system are set, and then any one of the first program orthogonal coordinate system and the second program orthogonal coordinate system is selected.

Abstract: In a method of machining a first and a second surface recess in a workpiece, the workpiece has a longitudinal axis and a first local Cartesian coordinate system. The machine tool has a longitudinal axis and a second local Cartesian coordinate system, the first and second surface recess are associated with a first and second recess longitudinal axis and a non-circular cross-section. The recesses are separated on the surface of the workpiece such that they are mirror images of each other about a plane along the longitudinal workpiece axis. A skew angle is defined between the first recess longitudinal axis and the workpiece axis in the first plane.

Abstract: A method for controlling a mechanism through the use of higher-dimensional n-curves is disclosed. An electronically-controlled mechanism is provided. Electronic communication is established between a computer and the electronically-controlled mechanism. A controller is running or executing on the computer to send mechanism commands to the electronically-controlled mechanism. Process control software is used to control the electronically-controlled mechanism. The process control software uses higher-dimensional n-curves to control the electronically-controlled mechanism.

Abstract: The position of sheets in a printing press is measured. A problem in transporting sheets through the printing press is how to guarantee the correct orientation and lay of the sheets, which must be guaranteed particularly in the printing operation. There is provided a device for precisely determining and correcting the positions of sheets in printing presses. Margin regions of a sheet are respectively imaged, projection data are transmitted to a computing unit, and the position of the sheet is calculated with the aid of the projection data by way of an image recognition algorithm. Furthermore, the computed positions of the sheet are compared to positions which are stored in the computing unit, and from the comparison, position deviations are computed, which are transmitted to the printing press and corrected by way of a sheet registration device.

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 work

Abstract: A method for measuring and/or machining a workpiece (1, 2), especially modules in building construction by means of a measuring and/or machining device (30) is presented, in which the workpiece (1, 2) is determined in a first coordinate system (21) with the aid of at least one determining [detection] device (10) and that the measuring and/or machining device (30), that can move relative to the workpiece (1, 2), is determined in a second coordinate system (22) independently of the position and the shape of the workpiece (1, 2). The coordinates of the workpiece (1, 2) on the one hand, and the coordinates of the measuring and/or machining device (30) on the other hand, are brought into a relationship with each other by a computer (40) in order to control the measuring and/or machining device (30) for measuring and machining the workpiece (1, 2).

Abstract: The specification discloses a woodworking and home improvement calculator particularly adopted for symplifying common home improvement calculations. The calculator includes a variety of special keys including a gravel, cement, tile, brick, block, 4×8 sheet, paint, wallpaper, stud and roof bundle keys which allow the user to quickly determine the amount of materials needed for projects involving the aforementioned keys.

Abstract: A method for creating and/or optimizing a cam-disk function for a controller for controlling a moving machine element of a numerically controlled production machine during its operating time system, movement of the machine element being described in sections by the cam-disk function, comprising defining individual movement sections by segments and/or points, and interpolating between said movement sections in accordance with prescribable interpolation rules; wherein instructions for inserting said segments and points and for prescribing said interpolating rules are provided at the point in time during the operating time of the system of the machine controller.

Abstract: A correction apparatus 1 comprises a correction amount setting section 3 and a correction execution section 4 and provides in an NC lathe 100 equipped with a first tool rest 106 and a second tool rest 108 which are movable in the X-axis direction and in the Z-axis direction. The correction amount setting section 3 sets correction amounts for canceling the displacement of the second tool rest 108 in the X-axis direction caused depending on the position of the first tool rest 106 in the Z-axis direction and for canceling the displacement of the first tool rest 106 in the X-axis direction caused depending on the position of the second tool rest 108 in the Z-axis direction. The correction execution section 4 corrects movement target position data regarding the first tool rest 106 and the second tool rest 108 in the X-axis direction on the basis of the correction amounts.

Abstract: A method for processing one or more manufactured parts is provided. The method includes generating a number of tool paths corresponding to a feature to be added to the one or more manufactured parts. Each of the tool paths has an effect on a respective one of the representative manufactured parts. The method further includes clustering the tool paths into a number of clusters based on the respective effect and a tolerance of the feature being added to the representative manufactured part and processing a manufactured part using one of the tool paths, which corresponds to a respective subpopulation in which the manufactured part lies.

Abstract: The invention makes it possible to execute the pre-control and the fine interpolation in the drive (A) in the fast drive clock (tDR) with a slower path pre-setting in the clock (tNC) of the NC. For this purpose, in each NC clock (tNC) a setpoint speed value (nNC*) and the P gain (kP) of the NC position controller (L_NC) and the desired axle speed (nNC) and the average axle speed (nNCMW) during the last NC position controller clock are transferred from the NC to the drive. From this information, polynomial segments of the third degree are in each case generated on the drive side, valid for the duration of an NC position controller clock (tNC). They are constructed in such a way that the speed at the polynomial transitions is constant. A variable component of the position polynomial is determined as the fine position component xF, with which the setpoint position values are finely interpolated in the drive.

Abstract: A method (28) for manufacturing a precision part (18) utilizing a non-precision fixture (10). The non-precision fixture is precisely measured (40) and modeled in a CAD program (42) together with a model of the part (30). The part model is nested (48) into the fixture model, and a transformation matrix describing the movement of a coordinate system of the part during the step of nesting is recorded (50). The transformation matrix may then be used to transform (52) a tool path that had been developed for the originally designed shape of the fixture. Accordingly, imprecision in the location of a part within an imprecisely measured fixture may be accounted for during subsequent manufacturing operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus by which accurate correction values for thermal displacement is calculated even when the rotation of the main spindle is restarted after interruption. The apparatus has means 2, 3 for measuring the temperature near the main spindle 15, means 5 for estimating the thermal displacement of the main spindle 15 on the basis of the measured temperature and a predetermined thermal displacement calculation expression, means 7 for calculating the correction value, and means 6 which estimates the displacement delay in re-rotation caused by the interruption of the rotation of the main spindle 15, and calculates an adjusting displacement on the basis of the estimated displacement delay. The correction value calculating means 7 calculates a correction value on the basis of the thermal displacement estimated by the thermal displacement estimating means 5 alone when the main spindle 15 is started up and rotated.

Abstract: A machining program is read in and interpreted and a determination is made as to whether the amount of movement called for by a block of commands is larger or smaller than a minimum amount of movement that is established by a feed speed and a one sampling period of a numerical control apparatus. If the amount of movement called for is greater than the minimum amount of movement, feed control is performed in accordance with the current block. If the amount of movement called for by the current block of commands is smaller than the minimum movement amount, an immediate subsequent block of commands is concatenated with the current block, and this concatenation of command blocks is continued until a synthesized block calling for an amount of movement greater than the minimum amount of movement is obtained, this synthesized block then being used to perform feed control.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a processing machine to perform a processing operation on a workpiece by (a) determining the nominal locations of at least two sensible reference marks on the workpiece in terms of the coordinates of the workpiece; (b) loading the workpiece on the processing machine; (c) sensing, and measuring the actual locations of, the reference marks on the workpiece when so mounted, in terms of the coordinates of the processing machine; (d) determining at least one geometrical transformation needed to transform the workpiece coordinates of the nominal locations of the reference marks to the processing machine coordinates of the actual locations of the reference marks; (e) and controlling the processing machine in accordance with the determined geometrical transformation.

Abstract: An analogue probe having a stylus with a spherical tip of radius (r) is calibrated using a sphere of known radius (R) mounted on a machine. The stylus tip is driven into the sphere from a plurality of directions (at least 9), each nominally normal to the sphere surface, until the stylus has deflected a predetermined amount. The machine movement is then reversed, and probe (a,b,c) deflection outputs are recorded simultaneously with machine (X,Y,Z) axis positions until the stylus tip leaves the surface. The readings are extrapolated to obtain the (X,Y,Z) readings when the probe radial deflection is zero. The value of (R+r)is determined from these readings along with the position of the sphere centre giving a value with zero probe errors. Values of (R+r) are also determined using a pre-selected radial deflection for each of the directions, by converting probe (a,b,c) outputs at that deflection to incremental machine (X,Y,Z) axis values using a trial probe transformation matrix.

Abstract: The position of a feed shaft is monitored, the mean moving speed and moving frequency of the feed shaft are measured with every unit time for position correction, and a correction amount &dgr;n is determined from the speed and frequency according to an approximation formula and updated (c7 and c8). A position correction amount for a commanded position is determined from this correction amount, and the commanded position is corrected by the position correction amount (c1 to c6). The position correction amount for the commanded position is determined from this correction amount, and the commanded position is corrected by this position correction amount. Since the correction amount is determined according to the approximation formula, thermal displacement correction can be effected at all times without requiring any sensor.

Abstract: Control of machine tools and industrial robots is usually implemented in a cascade structure, having not only numerous advantages but also the fundamental disadvantage of lower dynamics in the response to set point in comparison with a single control loop. This disadvantage is compensated today by feed-forward control concepts which permit ideal tracking of the controlled variable without intervention by the controllers, apart from inaccuracies in modeling of the controlled system or disruptions. The enormous computation complexity of these precontrol methods in higher order systems has provided the motivation for the development of a cartesian path control concept which is described in the present invention. While retaining the cascade structure, path accuracy can be improved significantly in comparison with axial feed-forward concepts.

Abstract: This invention relates to a control apparatus for numerical control in a cutting machine having a turret which can be rotated to arbitrary positions, and characterized by including means for obtaining turret axis data (&Dgr;X, &Dgr;Z) from reference offset values (X0, Z0) corresponding to a length from a cutting edge to a turret axis B, turret angle data &agr;, and cutting edge data (m, n), and moving the turret on the basis of these turret axis data (&Dgr;X, &Dgr;Z) to perform a cutting.

Abstract: A technique for controlling a machining system having a plurality of machining stations for machining workpieces with a plurality of machining operations. Each of the plurality of machining operations is allocated automatically to a specific one of the machining stations to attain uniform utilization of the individual machining stations, to the extent possible. This facilitates the initial setup of the machining system as well as correcting the setup if machining errors or deviations occur.

Abstract: According to the invention, a Cartesian control means (16) comprising a phase rotator (50) and a phase adjuster (52) is provided. With a method and a device according to the invention, a system is provided that is unconditionally stable with respect to non-phase alignment, regardless of input power changes, temperature and component ageing. No certain conditions need to be placed upon the control system to ensure stability, i.e. the system is non-obtrusive and requires no off-line calibration. The inclusion of the phase rotator (50) and phase adjustment techniques into the Cartesian control system makes this possible.

Abstract: A history of function values of a spindle rotation frequency in each time period from present to past is stored in a data table 22D and corrective coefficients are stored in advance in a corrective coefficient table 22C relating the coefficients to the location in the data table 22D. Each location and corrective coefficient are read out from the corrective coefficient table 22C and the function value of the spindle rotation frequency corresponding to the location is read out from the data table 22D. The compensation value is calculated from the total sum of each product of the function value and the corrective coefficient in each location and compensate the NC command position with the compensation value.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for selfcalibration of a coordinate-measuring machine, in which the coordinates of structures on an uncalibrated reference object are measured in a plurality of rotary positions on the object table of the coordinate-measuring machine, the measured coordinates are rotated back into the initial position by means of rotation functions, and a correction function is determined such that the rotated-back coordinates agree in an optimum fashion with the coordinates of the initial orientation. Each reference object is rotated about only one axis in this process. Rotationally symmetrical linear combinations of the fit functions used to approximate the correction function are determined and left out of account in the approximation. The correction functions generated are systematically complete and include no undetermined or defective terms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a processing machine to perform a processing operation on a workpiece by (a) determining the nominal locations of at least two sensible reference marks on the workpiece in terms of the coordinates of the workpiece; (b) loading the workpiece on the processing machine; (c) sensing, and measuring the actual locations of, the reference marks on the workpiece when so mounted, in terms of the coordinates of the processing machine; (d) determining at least one geometrical transformation needed to transform the workpiece coordinates of the nominal locations of the reference marks to the processing machine coordinates of the actual locations of the reference marks; (e) and controlling the processing machine in accordance with the determined geometrical transformation.

Abstract: A device for compressing information sensed from a model of a product is provided. The compressed quantity of information is a subset of the control information that can be transferred, by way of a data link, to machining equipment used to make the product from a blank. The device senses the model in a first coordinate system and converts the sensed first coordinates into corresponding second coordinates, describing the shape in a second coordinate system. These second coordinates form the basis for the control information. Compressing the information substantially reduces the amount of data transmitted over a public telecommunication network of the data link.

Abstract: A die bonder equipped with an image recognition unit having a zoom optical system for placing a chip to a correct location in accordance with recognition results delivered from the image recognition unit. Data related with the recognition offset data that specify a relationship in the relative location between optical coordinates system and mechanical coordinates system, and the pixel rate, etc. are stored in advance in a correction magnification index memory section, maintaining linkage to respective zoom magnification indices. Results of recognition are converted from a location information in terms of an optical coordinates system into a location information in actual dimensions in terms of a mechanical coordinates system of the die bonder, using a datum selected among the data in accordance with a magnification index at which the chip was pictured by a camera of an image recognition section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a processing machine to perform a processing operation on a workpiece by (a) determining the nominal locations of at least two sensible reference marks on the workpiece in terms of the coordinates of the workpiece; (b) loading the workpiece on the processing machine; (c) sensing, and measuring the actual locations of, the reference marks on the workpiece when so mounted, in terms of the coordinates of the processing machine; (d) determining at least one geometrical transformation needed to transform the workpiece coordinates of the nominal locations of the reference marks to the processing machine coordinates of the actual locations of the reference marks; (e) and controlling the processing machine in accordance with the determined geometrical transformation.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a coordinate data converting method, which is adaptable to any coordinate data in different data formats, for converting coordinate data into predetermined coordinate data, and a device thereof. A conversion parameter master table (conversion PMT) is generated in a memory with a maintenance process (process ST1) in advance. In each conversion parameter table (conversion PT) of the conversion PMT, the data of 9 items such as a code format, data format, coordinate system, unit system, offset, flow direction, PCB size, data item, and special command specification are set in correspondence with diversified coordinate data of a CAD system, an NC system, etc. A suitable conversion PT is selected with a process S1; a conversion source file of CAD data, etc.

Abstract: A system for numerical control machine tools comprises contact detecting probes, powered by a battery, that transmit radio-frequency signals to associated interfaces. When the probes are not being utilized for checking cycles, they are in a low-energy consumption state, in other words the circuits of the probes are only partially powered. When the need arises, the circuits of a probe are fully powered by the battery, by a radio-frequency activation signal. The procedure for activating a selected probe includes the sending of a generic activation signal from the associated interface, the transmitting of an identification signal from all the probes that have been activated by the generic signal and the sending of a generic confirmation signal from the interface in reply to the identification signal of the selected probe.