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: 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 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 computer-controlled machine equipped with sensors determines position and orientation of a workpiece, with respect to a model of the workpiece, which is stored in a data processing system interfaced to the machine, by measuring coordinates of points on the surfaces of the workpiece and determining a transformation in which a sum of squared distances from the points to the corresponding surfaces of the model is minimized. The determined transformation is improved so as to satisfy the specified tolerances.