Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a machine, the machine includes moveable axes and an apparatus for emitting an energy beam. A method includes the steps of providing a computing device or system; providing, the computing device or system, a program for operating the axes of the machine based on a CAD file, the program having a plurality of controller instructions for operating the axes; and providing the program to a controller of the machine. The computing device or system adds apparatus instructions to the program, each apparatus instruction corresponding to an energy beam radiation configuration of energy beam radiation configurations for the apparatus. Each time the controller runs a line of the program that has an apparatus instruction, the computing device or system operates the apparatus according to the apparatus instruction; and each apparatus instruction added to the program is a comment for the controller.

Abstract: A method for establishing a weld joint comprises the step of projecting an energy beam such as a laser beam (2) onto an interface area (103) between two parts (101, 102) to be joined. The beam (2) is projected onto the interface area (103) so as to produce a primary spot on the interface area (103), and the beam (2) is repetitively scanned in two dimensions in accordance with a scanning pattern so as to establish an effective spot (21) on the object, the effective spot (21) having a two-dimensional energy distribution. The effective spot (21) is displaced along a track (104) over the interface area (103) so as to progressively melt mating portions of the first part (101) and the second part (102) so as to form the weld joint (105). The effective spot (21) can feature an asymmetric energy distribution.

Abstract: A method of heating a selected portion of an object includes the steps of projecting an energy beam onto a surface of the object and repetitively scanning the beam in accordance with a scanning pattern so as to establish an effective spot on the surface, and displacing the effective spot along a track to progressively heat a selected portion of the object. The selected portion has a first width at a first position along the track and a second width at a second position along the track. The second width is less than 75% of the first width. The scanning pattern is repeated with a first frequency in correspondence with the first position and with a second frequency in correspondence with the second position, the second frequency being more than 60% and less than 140% of the first frequency.

Abstract: A method for heat treatment of an object of sheet metal, includes the step of heating at least one selected portion of the object using an energy beam. The beam is projected onto a surface of the object so as to produce a primary spot on the object, the beam being repetitively scanned in two dimensions in accordance with a scanning pattern so as to establish an effective spot on the object, the effective spot having a two-dimensional energy distribution. The effective spot is displaced in relation to the surface of the object to progressively heat the at least one selected portion of the object. The scanning pattern includes interconnected curved segments.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a machine, the machine includes moveable axes and an apparatus for emitting an energy beam. A method includes the steps of providing a computing device or system; providing, the computing device or system, a program for operating the axes of the machine based on a CAD file, the program having a plurality of controller instructions for operating the axes; and providing the program to a controller of the machine. The computing device or system adds apparatus instructions to the program, each apparatus instruction corresponding to an energy beam radiation configuration of energy beam radiation configurations for the apparatus. Each time the controller runs a line of the program that has an apparatus instruction, the computing device or system operates the apparatus according to the apparatus instruction; and each apparatus instruction added to the program is a comment for the controller.

Abstract: A method of processing an object with a light beam includes the following steps: projecting a light beam onto the object via a first scanner so as to produce a heated area by locally heating the object; displacing the heated area along a track on the object; capturing images of a first portion of the object with a first camera, via the first scanner; and capturing images of a second portion of the object with a second camera, via a second scanner. The first scanner and the second scanner are operated so that the first camera captures images of the heated area, whereas the second camera captures images of portions of the object behind and/or ahead of the heated area.

Abstract: A method for supervision of a scan of an energy beam includes the following steps: providing an apparatus configured to provide the energy beam and a scanner to scan the energy beam, the scanner having two mirrors; operating the apparatus and the scanner such that the energy beam is provided while it is scanned according to a predetermined scanning pattern; determining, at least one processor of a computer device or system, an actual scanning pattern of the energy beam, when both the apparatus and the scanner are operated, by processing measurements provided by encoders of the two mirrors; and comparing, the at least one processor, the actual scanning pattern with a predetermined threshold area. A system for supervision of a scan of an energy beam includes an apparatus to provide the energy beam and a scanner to scan the laser beam, the scanner having two mirrors, each having at least an encoder; and a computing device or system with at least one processor.

Abstract: A method of heating a portion of an object includes the steps of projecting an energy beam onto a surface of the object so as to produce a primary spot on the surface, and repetitively scanning the beam in two dimensions in accordance with a scanning pattern so as to establish an effective spot on the surface, and displacing the effective spot in relation to the surface of the object to progressively heat the at least one selected portion of the object. Displacing the effective spot in relation to the surface of the object includes displacing the effective spot following a track featuring at least one change of direction. The effective spot is maintained aligned with the track by modifying operation of a scanner in correspondence with the at least one change of direction.

Abstract: A method for establishing a weld joint comprises the step of projecting an energy beam such as a laser beam (2) onto an interface area (103) between two parts (101, 102) to be joined. The beam (2) is projected onto the interface area (103) so as to produce a primary spot on the interface area (103), and the beam (2) is repetitively scanned in two dimensions in accordance with a scanning pattern so as to establish an effective spot (21) on the object, the effective spot (21) having a two-dimensional energy distribution. The effective spot (21) is displaced along a track (104) over the interface area (103) so as to progressively melt mating portions of the first part (101) and the second part (102) so as to form the weld joint (105). The effective spot (21) can feature an asymmetric energy distribution.

Abstract: A system for supervising operation of at least one machine of an industrial installation or for supervising such operation and actuating the at least one machine based on such supervision, is disclosed. The system comprises a network comprising a server and a plurality of devices forming a computing cluster. At least some devices of the plurality of devices are connectable to a machine of the industrial installation. Each device of the at least some devices comprises: a first processor configured to compute in real-time, with data acquirable from the machine to which the device is connectable, a first processing task for solving a first query; and a second processor configured to share its processing power with the network, and to compute, when assigned by the server, at least one thread of a second processing task for solving a second query.

Abstract: A system for supervising operation of at least one machine of an industrial installation or for supervising such operation and actuating the at least one machine based on such supervision, is disclosed. The system comprises a network comprising a server and a plurality of devices forming a computing cluster. At least some devices of the plurality of devices are connectable to a machine of the industrial installation. Each device of the at least some devices comprises: a first processor configured to compute in real-time, with data acquirable from the machine to which the device is connectable, a first processing task for solving a first query; and a second processor configured to share its processing power with the network, and to compute, when assigned by the server, at least one thread of a second processing task for solving a second query.

Abstract: A system for supervising operation of at least one machine of an industrial installation comprises a network having a server and a plurality of devices forming a computing cluster. The devices are connectable to a machine. Each device has a first processor configured to compute in real-time, with data acquirable from a machine to which the device is connected, a first processing task for solving a first query; and a second processor sharing its processing power with the network, and when assigned by the server, computing at least one thread of a second processing task for solving a second query. The server controls the computing cluster; partitions the second processing task into a plurality of threads, and assigns one or more threads of the plurality of threads to the second processor of the plurality of devices.

Abstract: A system for supervising operation of at least one machine of an industrial installation comprises a network having a server and a plurality of devices forming a computing cluster. The devices are connectable to a machine. Each device has a first processor configured to compute in real-time, with data acquirable from a machine to which the device is connected, a first processing task for solving a first query; and a second processor sharing its processing power with the network, and when assigned by the server, computing at least one thread of a second processing task for solving a second query.

Abstract: A system and device for supervising and controlling operation of at least one machine of an industrial installation. A server and a plurality of devices form a computing cluster. At least some devices of the plurality of devices are connected to a machine of the industrial installation. Each device has a first processor to compute in real-time, using data acquired from the machine, a first processing task for solving a first query; and a second processor sharing its processing power with the network, and computing, when assigned by the server, at least one thread of a second processing task for solving a second query. The server controls the computing cluster, partitions the second processing task into a plurality of threads, and assigns one or more threads of the plurality of threads to the second processor of some of the devices of the plurality of devices.