Abstract: A system in which a machine tool is controlled by a digital computer and an operator to perform a succession of machining operations at a succession of spatial points. The system includes means for operator-controlled entry of data defining the succession of machining operations to be performed, and position data representative of the absolute or incremental coordinates of the spatial points. The position data is stored in absolute coordinate form. In a run mode, the system selectively transforms the stored absolute coordinate data and the machining operation data to control signals for the machine tool.

Abstract: A system in which a machine tool is controlled by a digital computer and an operator to perform a succession of machining operations. The system includes means for operator-controlled programming of a succession of machining operations, including single sequence programming of repetitive drilling operations, and programming of helical path operations. In the programming mode, the operator may direct the automatic selection of the first unprogrammed sequence. The operator may also direct the automatic plane or axis switching for the programmed sequences, rapid feedrate runthrough, and absolute and incremental data entry operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for substantially improving the accuracy and surface finish quality of numerical control machine tool performance by generating velocity command signals for multiple axis drive systems based on the distance between the cutting tool and a point along the desired path, either the desired end point or a dynamic target which moves continuously along the desired cutting path ahead of the cutting tool.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided by which automatic or semi-automatic processing of integrated and printed circuit devices can be accomplished notwithstanding that the points at which processing must be accomplished have been displaced from their assigned positions by translation and rotation. The method involves measurement of displacement of some circuit points from their designated positions in a specified sequence. That is coupled with a physical positioning and orientation of the device relative to the process apparatus and with approximate calculation. An apparatus is disclosed by which the measurements, sequence of measurements, orientation, and computation required can be accomplished.

Abstract: An inspection probe is mounted in the spindle of a numerically controlled machine tool and is moved toward a workpiece therein by the numerical controls until it makes contact with the workpiece. Contact with the workpiece is indicated by change in the output signal of a portable transmitter mounted within the toolholder that carries the inspection probe. The change in output amplitude causes the instantaneous position of the spindle to be recorded in the numerical controls at the instant of contact between the inspection probe and workpiece to indicate the corresponding dimension of the workpiece. Movement of the spindle is stopped after contact between the inspection probe and workpiece to avoid damage to either the inspection probe or the workpiece.

Abstract: A control system for moving a machining member relative to a workpiece table in accordance with a set of programmed input instructions which correspond to a prescribed path of movement, including a main contour control logic to generate output signals to move the machining member relative to the table in accordance with the stored values of the components I and J of a main contour vector, a sub-contour control logic which generates output signals to move the machining member based on the stored values of the components i and j of a sub-contour vector, and cutter compensation control logic which enables either the main or the sub-contour control logic to operate based on a determination of whether the main contour vector is leading or lagging the sub-contour vector.

Abstract: An improved system for processing data from an incremental or other type of positional encoder in which positional data for a plurality of axes is computed relative to two or more independent reference locations. The invention allows display of "absolute" position of the encoder or "relative" position of the encoder with respect to independently settable datum points.

Abstract: A control system for positioning a machine member in accordance with a set of predetermined instructions corresponding to a prescribed path of movement of the machine member includes first and second motor driving means operative in two mutually perpendicular directions to drive the machine member, pulse generating means to actuate the motor driving means, and a contour logic circuit to enable operation of the motor driving means in such a way that the machine member follows a staircase path closely conforming to the prescribed path. Drive of the first motor driving means is continuously maintained and drive of the second motor driving means is permitted only when required, then drive of the second motor driving means is continuously maintained and drive of the first motor driving means is permitted only when required.

Abstract: A system for processing data from an incremental or other type of positional encoder and for displaying positional information in which individual digits are sequentially processd to provide the positional data. The invention results in simple circuitry, allows the number of axes served by the display/processor to be increased with minimal changes in processor hardware; and allows encoder movements to be displayed in different units of measurement, selectable by an operator.

Abstract: A digital differential analyzer circuit is provided that depending on the embodiment chosen can carry out linear, parabolic, circular or cubic interpolation. In the embodiment for parabolic interpolations, the circuit provides pulse trains for the X and Y slide motors of a two-axis machine to effect tool motion along a parabolic path. The pulse trains are generated by the circuit in such a way that parabolic tool motion is obtained from information contained in only one block of binary input data. A part contour may be approximated by one or more parabolic arcs. Acceleration and initial velocity values from a data block are set in fixed bit size registers for each axis separately but simultaneously and the values are integrated to obtain the movement along the respective axis as a function of time. Integration is performed by continual addition at a specified rate of an integrand value stored in one register to the remainder temporarily stored in another identical size register.