Abstract: The present disclosure includes a motion control system for a machine tool system configured to shape a part with a tool, including an I/O module with machine configuration information that defines limits of a three-dimensional working space of the machine tool system. The I/O module further includes a part program that specifies first and second positions of the tool without reference to the working space limits. The motion control system further includes a software controller configured to internally process moves to determine whether the tool can be repositioned from the first position to the second position while maintaining the tool above a minimum clearance from the part and within the working space limits, output the internally processed moves to the machine tool system to cause movement of the tool if the tool can be safely repositioned, and output an error if the tool cannot be safely repositioned.

Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual machine management are disclosed. A virtual machine manager may communicate with a storehouse, which may include one or more virtual machines. The virtual machine manager may select one or more virtual machines, or may create one or more virtual machines, depending on the requirements of an input.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling movement of machine tool systems by providing a conversational programming interface that permits a user to create a universal program for execution by various machine tool systems for machining a part, each system having at least four movable axes. The user defines program blocks including geometry definitions which are independent of any axis kinematics configuration. A first tool path relative to a first Cartesian coordinate system is generated for forming the geometry, then mapped to a second Cartesian coordinate system corresponding to the part. The mapped path is transformed to a third Cartesian coordinate system corresponding to an orientation and location of the part relative to an axis kinematics configuration of a current machine tool system. The transformed path is processed to generate positions for the movable axes of the current system.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a machine tool system having multiple zones. The zones may be areas divided by physical barriers or virtual zones. The zones may include a first zone having a first kinematics arrangement and a second zone having a second kinematics arrangement. The first zone and the second zone may share one or more machine axis and at least one of the first zone and the second zone has at least one non-shared machine axis. The present disclosure also includes multi-interface machine tool systems.

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: 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: The present invention provides a system and method for tool use management wherein a CNC machine retains information identifying the tools associated with the machine as well as their current locations (if any), and executes an algorithm for determining the source tools needed by a part program and matching the source tools with the available tools.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for controlling a hand wheel of a machine tool and a method for using the same.

Abstract: A method of controlling movement of a body at spaced apart instances along a trajectory in a multi-dimensional environment by determining a current position of the body at a current instance, determining an ideal point on the trajectory, determining a vector difference between the current position and the ideal point, and adjusting the body's velocity for a subsequent instance based on the vector difference. The method may be used in motion control systems for computer-controllable machine tools.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a generalized kinematics library which may be used to control the motion of a machine tool system and to process data for other applications, such as simulation graphics. Methods are disclosed to interpolate the movement of various axes of a machine tool system through a machine singularity point.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a generalized kinematics library which may be used to control the motion of a machine tool system and to process data for other applications, such as simulation graphics. Methods are disclosed to interpolate the movement of various axes of a machine tool system through a machine singularity point.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a motion control system for a machine tool system wherein a value of a surface finish quality parameter of the motion control system is adjusted to control the surface finish of a part machined with the machine tool system. The machine tool system may include a conversational mode of operation and a NC mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of processing path data for a motive body. The control identifies a plurality of points along a target path, determines a maximum allowable stopping distance of the motive body at a last of the points, and ascertains a last maximum allowable speed of the motive body at the last point such that the motive body may come to a stop within the maximum allowable stopping distance. An other maximum allowable speed of the motive body is established at an other one of the points such that the motive body may possibly slow down to the last maximum allowable speed upon arriving at the last point.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of adjusting path data for a motive body includes identifying four consecutive points of the path data. The four consecutive points include a first point, a second point, a third point and a fourth point. It is determined whether the second point is suitable for smoothing. If the second point is suitable for smoothing, then a first arc and a second arc are located, and the second point is moved into an area between the first arc and the second arc. The first arc is defined by the first point, the second point and the fourth point. The second arc is defined by the first point, the third point and the fourth point. A line move associated with the second point is replaced with at least one arc move associated with the second point.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of operating a motive body, where a target path is identified. The motive body is commanded to follow the target path from an initial position. The first actual position is sensed of the motive body after the commanding step. A first target subpath is calculated from the first actual position to correct for predictive errors in movement of the motive body. The actual position of the motive body is determined along each of a plurality of axes, and a multi-dimensional position error between the actual position of the motive body in each of the axes and a multi-dimensional reference trajectory is calculated. A multi-dimensional position error signal dependent upon the calculating step is determined. At least one of a speed and a direction of the motive body is established dependent upon the multi-dimensional position error signal.

Abstract: A method of routing a probe of a digitizing system on the surface of a model object for the purpose of copying that model object as a part are disclosed. When a tolerance number is given, model surface data can be collected so that the geometrical difference between the model and the part is within the given tolerance for all touchable points on the model surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool changer for removal and installation of tools in a machining center having a spindle for holding a tool including a tool rack having a plurality of locations for holding tools and a rotatable arm movable between the spindle and the plurality of locations. Each of the plurality of locations has a clip for holding a tool and each clip has two arms with the arm on a first side of the clip having an inclined surface. The rotatable arm includes at least two grippers with each gripper defining at least one cam surface, the cam surface being structured and arranged to engage the inclined surface of the clip to allow for the removal of a tool in the clip.

Abstract: The present invention involves a tool changer for removal and installation of tools in a machining center having a machine tool with a spindle for holding a tool disposed within the machining center frame. The tool changer comprises a tool rack having a plurality of locations for holding tools, and an arm structured and arranged to be movable between the plurality of locations and a position which is capable of accessing a spindle of the machining center. Each tool holding location farther comprises a fork, which has a plurality of prongs. The movable arm has two grippers and one of the two grippers is disposed at an angle of about 90° relative to the other of the two grippers. The movable arm also is associated with rotational, vertical, and horizontal movement mechanisms. The rotational mechanism includes a motor, a pulley associated with the motor, a belt attached to the motor and the pulley, and a gear wheel attached to the belt with a limit switch for sensing one of the locations on the gear wheel.

Abstract: A manually operated apparatus for removal and insertion of a tool holder to and from a tool pocket of a magazine includes two components--a multi-function insertion/removal tool, and a pivot bracket. The multi-function tool generally comprises an elongated bar having a tool holder removal element at one end and an insertion element at the opposite end. The removal element can constitute a known pry tool having a fork portion configured to facilitate insertion between the rim of the tool pocket and the underside of the circumferential flange of the tool holder. The insertion element of the multi-function insertion/removal tool comprises a pivot block and a pressure plate. The pivot block includes a pivot pin projecting therefrom that is configured for pivoting engagement within a channel defined in the pivot bracket. The pivot bracket is mounted to the housing of the tool magazine at a manually accessible location relative to the tool pockets with the open end of the channel facing away from the tool pocket.

Abstract: The present invention involves a tolerance based motion controller. The controller is capable of processing a group of tolerance constraints. The tolerance constraints specify where and when each tolerance constraint is to be applied, along with the information specifying the desired trajectory of motion. There are also a group of velocity constraints, specifying the maximum allowable velocity at each point along the desired trajectory. This information along with sensor feedback is used to modify the velocity along the actual trajectory of motion. This results in the time required traverse the trajectory being as short as possible. Also, the actual trajectory of motion should never exceed the permissible deviation from the desired trajectory, as specified by the tolerance constraints, with the velocity always being bounded by the specified velocity constraint.