Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for managing and distributing design and manufacturing information throughout a factory in order to facilitate the production of components, such as bent sheet metal components. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the management and distribution of critical design and manufacturing information is achieved by storing and distributing the design and manufacturing information associated with each job. By replacing the traditional paper job set-up or work sheet with, for example, an electronically stored job sheet that can be accessed instantaneously from any location in the factory, the present invention improves the overall efficiency of the factory. In addition, through the various aspects and features of the invention, the organization and accessibility of part information and stored expert knowledge is improved.

Abstract: Actual machining positions P1, P2, . . . corresponding to command positions S1, S2, S3 . . . of each block of NC data are obtained by trial machining. Positions that correspond symmetrically to the actual machining positions P1, P2, . . . with respect to the command positions S1, S2, S3 . . . of each block are obtained. Modified NC data are created with use of the symmetrical positions as modified command positions for each block. The modified NC data include correction values for modifying positional differences attributable to a delay in a servo system. Therefore, if machining is carried out in accordance with the modified NC data, the correction values and a follow-up delay attributable to the actual delay in the servo system cancel one another, so that a high-accuracy work shape can be obtained.

Abstract: A layer flock management system including a layer information accumulator operative to accumulate information regarding each of a multiplicity of layers in a flock and a floor layer identifier operative to identify floor layers from among the multiplicity of layers.

Abstract: A communications unit (10) with a packet subdivider operable on a data packet (200) and an error detecting code generator. An acknowledgement message (NAK) is generated including error detecting code corresponding to packet portions (210-204) from the packet subdivider, thereby requesting retransmission of packet portions. At an originating unit (100) an error detection code is computed for each portion. The computed second error detection code for each sub-portion is compared with the received first error detection code for that portion. Portions for which corresponding error detection codes do not match are identified as bad portions and are retransmitted (220).

Abstract: A computerizable robotic automated bogie is provided including a drive motor and a main drive shaft extending downwardly from the drive motor. A rotatable plate is rotatably coupled to a bottom of a platform and further rotatable with respect to the main drive shaft. A gear mechanism is operatively coupled to the drive shaft. At least one wheel has an axis coupled with the gear mechanism thereby effecting rotation of the at least one wheel about a horizontal axis upon the actuation of the drive motor. The axis about which the at least one wheel rotates is fixed with respect to the rotatable plate. Further included is a rotating mechanism operatively engaged with the rotatable plate for selectively rotating the horizontal axis about which the at least one wheel resides.

Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing system capable of reducing time required for manufacture of semiconductors with effective use of waiting time of lots in storage equipment is provided. While a lot including a plurality of semiconductor wafers are stored in storage equipment, the semiconductor wafers in the lot are subjected to non-processing steps carried out by non-processing apparatuses such as measuring apparatuses, inspecting apparatuses, and contaminant removing apparatuses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting manufacturing equipment downtime data which electrically blocks stopped equipment (production) from restarting until an acceptable reason (either by code or direct identification) has been entered and recognized by an electronic logic system. Locking out the restart capability until the downtime cause has been entered ensures that the causes for all downtimes are recorded in a timely fashion. This data is gathered and recorded to measure and define explanations for lost equipment running time. Other related data may also be gathered.

Abstract: A method or device for computing material requirements which calculates various parts and materials necessary for products to be produced when a production plan is input, in order to reduce the processing time for a material requirements computation. In order to establish the object, the method or device of computing material requirements is provided, which can perform a parallel process without using conventional low level codes. Parts computing means are respectively assigned to items. When the lower parts computing means receives the computation result of the upper parts computing means, it independently executes the computing process if the computation result is sufficient for the parts computation.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for generating a CNC program for machining a part having planar and curvilinear surfaces and surfaces of revolution comprising an interface for inputting part information including for at least one face corresponding to at least one surface of the part and having face information comprising a boundary, an orientation, and a type of machining function corresponding to the face. A set of features corresponding to each face is also input via the interface. Thereafter a set of machining operations to machine the set of features is generated. The machining operations are optimized to achieve a minimum process time to machine the part.

Abstract: Models of varying body forms are measured in three dimension, both in nude and wearing suitable foundation garment to form a data base. The customer is measured in three dimension both in nude and in foundation garment. A portion of the customer's body is identified, and a model data most closely resembling the customer's data for said portion is selected. The selected model data is then adjusted for differences in height, inclination, cross sections at varying elevations, and for continuity at the ends of the portion. A pattern is made from the adjusted model data, cloth is cut using the pattern and sewn together to obtain the foundation garment.

Abstract: System and method for producing paper are provided. The system controls formation of wet stock comprising fibers on a moving water permeable wire of a de-watering machine that has a refiner that is subject to a variable load and a headbox having at least one slice, wherein each slice has an aperture through which wet stock is discharged at a stock jet speed onto the wire that is moving at a wire speed. A sheet of wet stock moving a speed develops on the wire.

Abstract: A process for machining mechanical parts, including the milling of parts having a complex shape, includes the steps of determining the volume of the part to be machined, defining a corresponding machining grid, plotting the machining grid defined for the volume of the part to be machined, programming the plotted machining grid, and machining the part, grid line by grid line, according to the established programming. The process is implemented with an apparatus including a machining head coupled with a tool support. The tool support for the machining head (e.g., a cutting tool head) is positioned to face a predetermined point of the grid line to be machined, and immobilized. The machining head is mobilized to machine the desired grid line, with the tool support remaining fixed.

Abstract: A hand-held, portable device recommends dynamically preferred speeds for stabilizing or reducing undesirable vibration such as chatter in a machining process. The device may be applied to machining processes such as turning, boring, milling and drilling which exhibit a relative rotational motion between the cutting tool and workpiece. The device measures in a safe, non-contact manner via a microphone the dominant audio signal component of the sound pressure emanating from the machining processes. Without prior knowledge of the machining process parameters or the dynamic characteristics of the machine tool or workpiece, the audio signal is conditioned and processed to determine the frequency component levels. The rotational speeds which are more likely to lead to a stable machining process are calculated based on the number of teeth on the cutting tool and the identified dominant frequency of vibration. The dynamically preferred speeds are displayed as recommendations to the process operator or machinist.

Abstract: System and method for producing paper are provided. The system controls formation of wet stock comprising fibers on a moving water permeable wire of a de-watering machine that has a refiner that is subject to a variable load and a headbox having at least one slice, wherein each slice has an aperture through which wet stock is discharged at a certain stock jet speed onto the wire that is moving at a certain wire speed. The system includes: a) at least two water weight sensors that are positioned adjacent to the wire wherein the at least two sensors are positioned at different locations in the direction of movement of the wire and upstream from a dry line which develops during operation of the machine and the sensors generate signals indicative of a water weight profile made up of a multiplicity of water weight measurements; and b) means for adjusting at least one of the stock jet speed, wire speed, or to cause the water weight profile to match a preselected or optimal water weight profile.

Abstract: An editor apparatus for programming industrial controllers in relay ladder language, the apparatus used to provide RLL logic to control a machine axis. The apparatus includes a display for creating an axis behavior profile that represents input devices, output devices, actuators, and required movements. The apparatus gleans information from the profile and, based on the information, creates modules that include logic required to provide a program section for controlling the axis. A compiler then compiles the modules to provide an RLL program section to control the axis.

Abstract: A computer-implemented apparatus and method for coordinating paint-related process steps of at least one paint-related facility. The paint-related process steps exhibit paint-related characteristics. A data acquisition module is provided for acquiring paint characteristic data indicative of the paint-related characteristics. A paint process control data structure is provided for interrelating the acquired paint characteristic data with at least two of the paint-related process steps to produce interrelated paint process control data. A paint process control coordinator is connected to the data acquisition module for storing the acquired paint characteristic data in the paint process control data structure. A data display is connected to the paint process control data structure for remotely receiving and viewing the interrelated paint process control data.

Abstract: An electronic device employed in a system where packets are sent and received between a plurality of electronic devices connected by a bus, with a bias voltage not being outputted to the bus in a first operating mode operated in from when a power supply is thrown until an internal initialization process is complete and a bias voltage is outputted to the bus in a second operating mode operated in after the initialization process is complete so that communication system hang-ups at the time of throwing the power supply can be avoided.

Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of ophthalmic microsurgical instruments connected thereto. The microsurgical instruments are for use by a user such as a surgeon in performing ophthalmic surgical procedures. The system includes a data communications bus and a user interface connected to the data communications bus. The user interface provides information to the user and receives information from the user which is representative of operating parameters of the microsurgical instruments. The system also includes surgical modules connected to and controlling the microsurgical instruments as a function of at least one of the operating parameters. The surgical modules are also connected to the data communications bus. The data communications bus provides communication of data representative of the operating parameters between the user interface and the surgical modules.

Abstract: A semiconductor storage unit includes: a first PROM; a second PROM for storing parity data based on data stored in the first PROM; an error detecting circuit for detecting an error in read data outputted from the first PROM on the basis of the parity data outputted from the second PROM to generate an error detection signal; an error correcting circuit for outputting the data read out from the first PROM as it is when no error detection signal is supplied thereto, and for outputting error corrected data when the error detection signal is supplied thereto; a specific-mode detecting circuit for generating a specific-mode detection signal when detecting a specific mode; and a different-data generating means for generating data different from data outputted from the error correcting circuit as output data when both of the error detection signal and the specific-mode detection signal are generated.

Abstract: An automatic programming apparatus comprises a machining unit preparing section for preparing plural machining units, a machining unit defining section for selecting a designated machining unit from the prepared machining units and designating the arrangement and size of the machining area of the selected machining unit, and an machined material creating section for creating a shape with the machining area shape removed from the material shape. The automatic programming apparatus and method for an NC machine which can easily create a machining program in complicated machining and also create a correct program quickly in complicated machining by trial and error.