Abstract: An arbitrary-direction tracer control system moves a model and a tracer head relative to each other at an arbitrary angle to a reference axis X along lines passing through a reference point K, first and second tracing stroke limits L1 and L2 are set at which tracing feed is returned, so that tracing feed is along radial lines a - b, c - d, e - f and f - g extending from the reference ponts K, and pick feed operations are carried out by predetermined amounts b - c and f - g at the tracing stroke limits L1 and L2. As a result, tracing feed can always be performed in a direction perpendicular to a curved surface of the model, ensuring accurate tracing of the curved surface.

Abstract: In tracer control equipment which controls the relative feed rate between a tracer head (1) and a model by controlling a motor (12X to 12Z) according to a displacement signal (.epsilon..sub.x to .epsilon..sub.z) from the tracer head, a deceleration control circuit (18) is provided to perform deceleration control corresponding to the configuration of the model at a jerk point thereof. The deceleration control circuit (18) compares a plurality of threshold values with variation of the displacement signal (.epsilon..sub.x to .epsilon..sub.z) per unit time, and controls the relative feed rate between the tracer head and the model depending upon which region defined by the plurality of threshold values includes the amount of variation of the displacement signal.

Abstract: Cutting time and wear of the cutter is reduced for copy-cutting of a workpiece by tracing a concavity of a model with a stylus. The clamp level is changed in sequence and, at each clamp level, contour tracing along the entire circumference of the inner wall of the concavity of the model, and X-Y plane tracing for cutting the part above the clamp level that is left uncut by the contour tracing, are carried out.

Abstract: Manual zero adjustment of a tracer head and adjustment of differential amplifiers for the tracer head are eliminated by a step of storing the outputs of differential amplifier circuits as zero-point offset amounts while maintaining the tracer head in a non-contact state, a step of successively maintaining the tracer head in a first and a second state, and while doing so, storing first and second coordinates of the tracer head in the first and second contact states, together with first and second amounts of displacement compensated for by the zero-point offset amounts, a step of calculating and storing gains of the differential amplifier circuits on the basis of the first and second coordinates and the first and second amounts of displacement compensated for by the zero-point offset amounts, and a step of effecting tracing control through the use of the stored zero-point offset amounts and gains. These steps are carried out under control of a processor.

Abstract: A tracing system which ensures clamping only a downward feed of a tracer head (TR), thereby preventing a cutter (CT) from being broken.Clamping of the feed of the tracer head (TR) in the direction of cutting is ensured, by the provision of machine position sensing circuitry (PCZ, CNTZ) for sensing the machine position in a vertical axis (the Z-axis), and initializing circuit (CPU) for setting a predetermined value .alpha. in a vertical displacement storage devict (REG) at the start of tracing. An adding circuit (CPU) reads out the results of sensing by the machine position sensing circuitry for each predetermined period and adds the difference between the current and the preceding results of sensing to the vertical displacement storage device (REG). An update circuit (CPU) sets the predetermined value .alpha. in the storage device (REG) when its contents reach a predetermined value .beta.

Abstract: The present invention is to permit automatic regulation of a malfunctioning part of a device which operates in accordance with a command program. In a program memory (M2) is stored a diagnostic program which is started when making a function diagnosis of the device, and upon detection of a diagnostic instruction inserted in the command program, a control unit (CPU) starts the diagnostic program to make the function diagnosis of the device and, at the same time, controls a regulating device (S1 to S4) provided for each block of the device so that the level of an output signal of each block may become a predetermined level.

Abstract: In a speed correcting device for use in a speed command system such as a numerical controller or a tracer controller in which a movable machine part is driven at a speed corresponding to a speed command value, an error in the moving speed of the movable machine part is removed by detecting the moving speed corresponding to the speed command value being zero and by adding to the speed command value a moving speed correction amount that cancels the detected moving speed.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to make it possible to enlarge or reduce, as desired, a preset tracing range in a tracer control unit by actuation of a control switch (36) externally provided. To this end, according to the present invention, the tracer control unit is arranged so that it ignores a sequence changeover during actuation, that is, the ON state of the control switch (36) for inputting a sequence changeover signal and executes a sequence changeover which has been or is to be ignored when the operation of the control switch (36) is released, that is, turned OFF.

Abstract: A method of adjusting for a shift of the position of a stylus tip and a deviation of the zero point of a displacement detector which are caused by an exchange of a stylus of a tracer head. The shift of the position of the stylus tip and the deviation of the zero point of the displacement detector are electrically or mechanically read out as displacement. In accordance with the displacement, the tracer head assembly is moved relative to a machine frame to adjust the tip of the stylus to its reference position.

Abstract: A difference signal corresponding to the difference between the displacement of a stylus of a tracer head and a reference signal is integrated and the sum of the integrated value and the difference signal is applied as an error signal to a command velocity function generator and a correcting velocity function generator to produce a command velocity signal and a correcting velocity signal, respectively, which are provided to a distributing circuit. A displacement direction signal from an index circuit is supplied to the distributing circuit to derive therefrom respective axis command velocity signals for effecting profile control.

Abstract: In a tracer control system in which tracer head control is switched over from a quick feed mode to a deceleration mode of operation to alleviate a shock when the stylus of the tracer head contacts the model, the amount of change in the configuration of the model at a profiling start point is detected to control the point of switching over the quick feed mode to the deceleration mode of operation for the next profiling start point in accordance with the detected value, thereby to ensure that the above mentioned mode switching is always accomplished at substantially a constant position relative to the profiling start point on the model surface so as to shorten the profiling time.

Abstract: A tracer control system in which data defining a tracing operation is inputted from an input device and stored in a memory, and the stored data is read out by a processor to control the tracing path of a tracer head. Tracer machining is achieved in accordance with a displacement signal derived from a tracer head which traces the surface of a model.