Abstract: A numerical control (NC) device 10 for a machine tool 1 provided with a measurement probe 2b effects measurements of a work 4 on the machine table 5 after a working process. A measurement program, generated by the NC device by modifying a working program, controls the relative movement of the probe 2b with respect to the workpiece 4 such that the probe 2b moves along the contour of the worked portion of the workpiece 4 with a displacement from the neutral position thereof, wherein the displacement of the probe is sampled at a predetermined sampling period. A working error calculation program 17 calculates the working error from the sampled displacements. If the working error is judged correctable, a outside tolerance range and correction re-working is effected so as to reduce the working error. The measurement/re-working cycles are repeated until the working error is within tolerance.

Abstract: A programmer for an appliance having a line power switch and a plurality of program switches sequentially actuated by a cyclic cam mechanism. The program switches are latched to the actuated condition and uplatched independently of the cyclic mechanism by electrically energized release mechanisms, individually controlled by an electronic controller having a microcomputer which employs a user selected programmed sequence.

Abstract: A tracer head for a copy milling machine which is digitally controlled and causes a model to be scanned by a stylus mechanically mounted in the tracer head. The stylus is deflected both at right angles and tangentially to the surface of the model when the stylus contacts the model to produce scanning signals which are proportional to the deflections at right angles to the model surface and the deflections tangential to the model surface. These signals then are transmitted to a processor which processes, amplifies and subsequently feeds the processed and amplified scanning signals to servomotors of the machine to cut and shape a workpiece in such manner as to produce a copy of the model. The amount of spring pressure exerted on the stylus inside the head by the mechanical spring mounting when the stylus contacts the model is determined by establishing the pressure separately along each of the three mutually orthogonal x, y and z axes.

Abstract: The elongated edge of a workpiece is machined to preselected dimensions and tolerances using a numerically controlled machining system by probing the surface of the workpiece along the length of the edge to be machined to determine edge dimensions and/or its actual position and orientation at such preselected locations relative to a cutting tool holder and to the workpiece fixture, and generating and storing data indicative thereof, and machining the edge of the workpiece under the direction of a machine program which accesses that data and other known preselected part design data which has been stored and causes a cutting tool to follow the actual edge of the part, cutting the edge to preselected dimensions as the cutting tool travels relative thereto, the workpiece and the cutting tool being reoriented relative to each other as the tool being reoriented relative to each other as the tool moves along the edge to maintain the tool in appropriate angular and positional relation to the workpiece over the length

Abstract: A contour profiling machine for the purposes of shortening the period of time for rough machining and forming a smooth machined surface in the execution of machining wherein the outer part or inner part of a workpiece is cut away along the contour of a model (MDL). The contour profiling machine according to the present invention includes a limit setting circuit for setting a limit as to one axis of a tracer head (TC), and for setting limits parallel to and limits orthogonal to a traveling direction within a movement plane which is determined by the first-mentioned limit. A polarity discrimination circuit discriminates the polarities of the limits set relative to the direction of movement of the tracer head (TC). A clamping ciruit clamps contour profiling within a range which is defined by the set limits.

Abstract: A digitizing method in which a distance from a model surface is measured and stored at regular intervals of time or distance to obtain digital profile data of the model. A specified profile for correction is provided on a part of the model, and by using the specified mode, correction data such as a distance correction coefficient is obtained before carrying out the digitizing. Digitizing data obtained by carrying out the digitizing is corrected by the correction data. The correction data is obtained based on the material and surface condition of the actual model, and therefore, the digitizing data can be accurately corrected.

Abstract: A profiling control system for a multiple-degree-of-freedom working machine having at least two degrees of freedom has at least one force control loop. The control loop has a detector for detecting the force applied to a working tool from a work surface, an error detector for determining the difference between the detected force and a command f.sub.ro of urging force of the working took, a processor for computing a velocity command u.sub.z of the working tool on the basis of the determined error, a drive system for moving the multiple-degree-of-freedom working machine on the basis of the velocity command. Further, the multiple-degree-of-freedom working machine is moved on the basis of a velocity command u.sub.x. The control system provides a moving velocity v.sub.zof in an urging direction of the working tool, which occurs as the result of a gradient tan .alpha. of the work surface with respect to a feed direction when the working tool is fed with the velocity command u.sub.

Abstract: A three dimensional machining system includes a three dimensional measuring unit which is separate from a three dimensional machine which actually applies a machining operation upon a three dimensional object. In this manner, a teaching operation with respect to an object to be machined can be performed during the machining operation by the three dimensional machine, thus improving the working efficiency of the three dimensional machine.

Abstract: A tracking control robot controls its arm end, which holds a tool, to track a taught path so that a reaction force between a workpiece and the tool remains constant. An ideal state for the arm end is determined from the present state of the arm end and the difference between the actual reaction force and a predetermined target force. Then, this ideal state is compared with a reference state of the arm end on the taught path to obtain a target position and a target attitude of the arm end. Since a target position is always determined independently of the last target position, no position error due to time delay affects a new target position even when the next target position is generated before the tool reaches the last target position. Thus, the robot is quick, responsive, and accurate when tracking at a constant operation speed.

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: A digitizing apparatus in which the surface of a model is traced by a probe which measures distance without contacting the surface, thereby forming digitizing data along the profiling path. First, drive motors for two axes are controlled simultaneously to form profiling data regarding the sectional shape of a model sectioned by a profiling plane formed by the two axes. Thereafter, the probe is moved along a second profiling direction which perpendicularly intersects a profiling direction defining an initial profiling path. Tangential vectors in the two profiling directions are obtained. Two perpendicular vectors are then decided from these tangential vectors. As a result, a normal vector at a point of intersection between the two profiling directions is computed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of creating NC data for rough machining, in which a cutting path (QLi) for rough machining is outputted using points on an i-th point sequence path (PLi) from among a plurality of point sequence paths repeatedly digitized at a predetermined interval in a predetermined direction. The next cutting path for rough machining is created and output using a projected point sequence path (PLk') which, among those projected point sequence paths spaced away from the i-th point sequence path by a distance greater than a tool radius (Tr), is that nearest an i-th projected point sequence path (PLi').

Abstract: The invention relates to a pick-feed method in rotating body tracing for performing tracer control by rotating a model (MDL), advancing or retracting a stylus (ST) in contact with the model, in dependence upon the shape of the model, in a direction of the center of rotation (O.sub.M), and pick-feeding the stylus in a plane parallel to a rotational axis of the model every revolution of the model. This pick-feed method includes forming first and second areas (AI, AII) by dividing the full circumference of the model in half by a straight line (LL') connecting a point (P.sub.L) having a predetermined rotational angle (.theta..sub.L) and the center of rotation (O.sub.

Abstract: A control method for an injection motor is capable of preventing the injection motor from overheating. Injection motor current values are sampled at intervals having a predetermined sampling cycle. The value for each interval is squared and the squares are summed up over an injection molding cycle time and multiplied by the predetermined sampling time cycle. A ratio of an amount of heat produced when a continuous rated current flows and that produced when a maximum current flows is also determined. The injection molding cycle time is then subtracted from a value obtained by dividing the above-mentioned multiplied sum by the product of the above-mentioned ratio and the square of the maximum current. A determination is made as to whether the sign of the resultant value is positive or negative. When the sign is positive the motor is in its overheating state, and a quiescent time is provided to lengthen the injection molding cycle time (steps S8-S11).

Abstract: Metrological apparatus, particularly for measuring form, has a turntable 4 and a transducer 14 and associated stylus 12 mounted so that the tip 12a of the stylus is displaceable radially and vertically relative to the turntable 4. The problem of obtaining both high resolution and large range of operation is solved by using a transducer/stylus 12,14 having a resolution of 12 nanometers and a range of only 0.4 mm and mounting the transducer 14 on an arm 10 which is driven radially and/or vertically by a computer 30 in response to the output from the transducer 14 to cause the stylus 12 to follow the workpiece surface. High resolution data defining the rotary position of the turntable 4 and the radial and vertical position of the transducer 14 is provided by a photodetector/optical grating arrangement 23, 21, 31; 27, 19, 43 and associated interpolators 42, 44, 46.

Abstract: A DC motor drives a magnetic disk memory transducer head between a position proximate the disk periphery to an area on the disk where data are located during which time the head is lowered from an idle to a hovering position. During this time the motor is supplied with a current impulse having a predetermined polarity, amplitude and duration. The polarity of the current impulse is opposite to that of current applied to the motor while the head is being driven between a position beyond the disk periphery to the position proximate the disk periphery. The duration and amplitude of the current impulse are such that the motor angular velocity has a zero value at the completion of the current pulse. Thereafter, a ramping voltage having an average linear waveform is applied to the motor to prevent overshoot of the motor speed and prevent oscillation of the head relative to a face of the disk. The linear ramp current decreases to a zero value, at which time the motor has a constant, non-zero angular velocity.

Abstract: A method of cutting a contour in an image film according to the present invention includes a rough contour-selecting and recording step in which a rough contour of required portions in the image film are memorized in the form of coordinates X, Y; and error-detecting step for establishing a true contour from a concentration-difference of an image taken by a picture-taking element, which is controllably driven by memory output of the recorded rough contour, by determining the magnitude of a deviation between the true contour and the rough contour and the direction of the deviation; a step of correcting the record of the rough contour by the determined value and memorizing the true contour in another memory medium as a collection of new X, Y coordinates; and a step of cutting the film by a cutter controlled by output from the memory medium.

Abstract: An improved profiling apparatus performs a profiling operation after a profiling surface on a modelwork, and includes a vector arithmetic unit for calculating a projection component in an X-Y plane of the profiling surface in accordance with a signal from a tracer head, that is, a contact detector and a profiling direction arithmetic unit for calculating a profiling direction and a pick feeding direction on the basis of an output from the vector arithmetic unit. The profiling apparatus is effective with high accuracy in the profiling operation, less useless operation and short processing time, and is useful for a processing machine such as a diesinking machine and a machining center.

Abstract: In a profiling method constructed so that NC working is performed on the basis of profile locus data obtained by profiling a shape of a model by a profiling machine, a digitized method of the profile locus is characterized in that position data of the model surface, obtained by adding a position of the profiling machine and a displacement signal from a tracer head at each sampling time, are rounded through a low-pass filter upon a profiling operation, and a time constant of the filter is automatically changed in response to the rate of change of the shape of the model. According to this method, fluctuation of the profiling machine, which can not be corrected by the filter heretofore and is an error as it is, is corrected, and a stylus displacement signal, delayed as compared with a response of a profiling machine position signal upon high speed profiling operation, is greatly improved so that high speed profiling operation can be attained.

Abstract: An electric appliance control system is disclosed in which a logic controlled, solid-state, electronic system is used in conjunction with a mechanical switching device in the form of a cam disc operating a plurality of cam-operated switches. The control system combines the capabilities of performing complicated and numerous operational programs with the reliability of the cam-operated mechanical switching device.

Abstract: An improved profiling control apparatus controls a profiling machine so that the apparatus judges whether an exact profiling operation is performed by the machine at a place where a surface shape of the model to be profiled is suddenly changed, for example at a step, without jumping of a stylus from the model surface, and the profiling machine performs the exact profiling operation without jumping of the stylus. The profiling control apparatus, which detects a displacement of the stylus pressed on the model surface from a tracer head and controls the profiling machine in accordance with the displacement detection signal, includes a displacement compounding unit for compounding three dimensional displacement signal .epsilon.x, .epsilon.y and .epsilon.z to produce a displacement signal .epsilon.(=.sqroot..epsilon.x.sup.2 +.epsilon.y.sup.2 +.epsilon.z.sup.2), a displacement differentiating unit for differentiating the displacement signal to produce a differentiated value d.sup.2 .epsilon./dt.sup.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to improve the machining accuracy of tracer control which moves a tracer head and a model relative to each other along a path specified by numerical information.Profile arithmetic means (4, 5, 30 to 33) creates a velocity signal (V.sub.a) in a tracing feed direction and a velocity signal (V.sub.z) in the Z direction on the basis of displacement signals (.epsilon..sub.x, .epsilon..sub.y, .epsilon..sub.z) from the tracer head (1) and direction signals (sin .alpha., cos .alpha.) indicating the tracing feed direction, which are supplied from direction signal generating means (36). Velocity signal generating means (18, 19) derives command pulse signals in the X and Y directions from numerical information indicating the path of travel of the tracer head (1) and the velocity signal (V.sub.a) in the tracing feed direction produced by the profile arithmetic means (4, 5, 30 to 33).

Abstract: An advanced memory type profiling control method for a machine tool including a tracer which is relatively moved along a surface of a model and a machine body provided with a cutting tool such as an end mill whereby a work having the same shape as that of the model is made, includes driving the tracer along the model surface with the tracer preceding the machine body by a predetermined time, sampling coordinate data of a position of the tracer and data of displacement of a stylus, which is moved in contact with the model surface, to the tracer at a predetermined sampling time, calculating coordinate values of points on a locus formed by a movement of a central point of the stylus ball on the basis of the sampled data, calculating a coordinate value of a point following the central point of the stylus ball at retard, for each sampling time to obtain a command position data to the machine body, storing the command position data in a memory successively, and supplying the stored data to a drive control unit of t

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: This invention has improved the automatic programming method which is used for machining the configuration of a curved surface of a die. The values of X and Y coordinates are calculated by a machining path production device through a curved surface configuration storage device. The value of Z coordinate in the third dimension is obtained by a machining point calculation device. If a curved surface in the Z axis is to be machined two or more times, a judgement circuit decides this and a calculation processing device calculates that the first machining is to be conducted in conformity with the curved surface and the second or later machining is to be skipped for rapid feeding, this decision being stored in a tool path data storing device.

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 intended to prevent a cutter from biting into a workpiece at a point of a sudden change in the configuration of a model in tracer control equipment. Sampling circuits (12, 12X to 12Z) respectively sample a composite displacement signal and displacement signals in the X-axis to Z-axis directions at equal time intervals. An arithmetic circuit (17) obtains the angle between the displacement vector of a stylus (1) at the current sampling and the displacement vector of the stylus (1) at the previous sampling from the sample values by the sampling circuits (12, 12X to 12Z). A comparator (18) compares the result of calculation by the arithmetic circuit (17) and a reference level and, according to the result of comparison, controls whether to decrease the feed rate. Accordingly, the cutter can be prevented from biting into the workpiece at the sudden-change point in the configuration of a model.

Abstract: A tracing stylus assembly for controlling operation of an electrically controlled machine tool produces analog electrical signals which are representative of displacement of a stylus member from a center rest position in any direction in at least two transverse planes which correspond to planes of movement available in the machine tool during machining operations. The electrical signals from the tracing stylus are connected to standard motor control amplifiers in the machine tool to control movement of the machine tool. The electrical signals from the stylus may be easily processed to provide adjustments to operation not otherwise possible. For example, the null point of the stylus member can be adjusted electronically as can the correlation between the amount of travel of the stylus and the rate of response of the machine tool.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing a reinforcing body for a concrete part, the reinforcing body including longitudinal rods and wires wound over and welded to the rods. The machine includes an axially stationary main wheel and an axially mobile support wheel mounted coaxially and drivable synchronously with the main wheel. Adjustable guide pieces are carried by the main wheel for supporting the longitudinal rods to be welded. A first servomechanism is connected to the guide pieces for producing a common uniform adjustment of the guide pieces. A welding carriage is movable transversely to the machine longitudinal direction. A second servomechanism synchronized with the first servomechanism moves the welding carriage in synchronism with the adjustment of the guide pieces and the rods and wire consecutively during rotary movement of the main wheel.

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 plurality of path patterns (MCR.sub.1 -MCR.sub.3), in which at least data specifying tracing areas serve as variables, are registered in a memory (102) beforehand, tracer machining data including call instructions (MCC.sub.1 -MCC.sub.3) for calling a predetermined path pattern, as well as actual numbers, are stored in a memory (101) in advance, and tracer machining data are read block-by-block to perform tracer control. When a path pattern call instruction is read, the predetermined path pattern is read out of the memory (102), the variables are replaced by actual numbers to obtain a tracing area, and tracing is performed in the tracing area on the basis of the read path pattern.

Abstract: A clamp profiling control method in which a profiling feed operation, a profiling starting point return operation and a pick-feed operation are performed alternately, and in which a clamp feed is performed at a set clamp level (LCZ), which method includes specifying a clamp region (H1) by storing an initial position (A) at which clamp feed is performed and a position (B) at which clamp feed is no longer performed during the course of profiling feed, executing repetitive clamp profiling control within the clamp region while changing the clamp level (LCZ) and, when the clamp feed is no longer performed even once in the course of clamp profiling control, setting the clamp level to an initial value and proceeding to the next profiling region where the profiling feed operation, profiling starting point return operation and pick-feed operation are performed.

Abstract: A device imparts a predetermined motion to an object by using a cam. The device comprises a load compensator disposed at any desired position in a driven section and adapted to apply a force or torque to the driven section in order to counterbalance variations in the force of contact between a cam and a cam follower. The variations are caused by the movement of the driven section. The force of contact is maintained at a constant value, and enables the achievement of stabilized high-precision motion of the cam driven system, particularly the achievement of high-precision high-speed machining of the lead on a VTR lower cylinder by using an end cam.

Abstract: A tracer control method whereby a tracer machining inhibit area is set and tracer machining is performed while skipping the machining inhibit area, the method including presetting a tracer machining inhibit area (TMI) and a safe level (ZL.sub.s) after taking into account the shape of a model (MDL). The method also includes moving a tracer head along the surface of the model to perform tracer machining in an area (TM), inhibiting tracer machining when the tracer head reaches the machining inhibit area (TMI), and raising the tracer head to the safe level (ZL.sub.s). After reaching the safe level the method includes moving the tracer head along the safe level to a boundary of the machining inhibit area after the tracer head reaches the safe level, thereafter performing an approach operation, and resuming tracer machining in an area (TM') after the approach is completed.

Abstract: Three dimensional garment pieces are formed with a computer generated mold produced from pregathered numerical data describing the object or person to be clothed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a tracer control system for a system performing tracing in an arbitrary direction using a combination tracer control-numerical control unit which is a combination of a tracer control unit and a numerical control unit, and is intended to increase the cutting accuracy and cutting speed by controlling the feed by tracer control, as compared with a conventional system which controls the feed by numerical control.The numerical control unit is provided with a signal generating device, such as a controller, for generating a signal representing the angle of a feed shaft according to numerical information indicating a path of cutting.

Abstract: A microcomputer-based electronic controller for a dishwasher utilizes a motor driven timing cam for selectively energizing the electromechanical components of the dishwater. An internal diagnostic routine in the microcomputer insures that the timing cam is advanced when the microcomputer calls for power to be applied to the motor.

Abstract: An automatic machining apparatus includes means of sensing or measuring displacements of a work model, manual operation means for manually operating said sensing means, a displacement determining device for measuring the pressure difference responsive to the displacement measured by said sensing means, means for conversion of said pressure difference into electric signals and transmission of said signals, means for memorizing said signals transmitted from the signal transmitting means and storing the information in response to said transmitted signals, including means for computing the positional difference or disagreement between the sensing means and the work model, means for displacing machining means for machining a work piece in accordance with the necessary information provided from the memory stored in the memorizing means, means for slidably, rotatably or withdrawably mounting the sensing means nearby the machining means, means for holding the work model or work piece, means of controlling the holding

Abstract: Method of feeding positional data from a virtual model of a profiled physical model into a movement position device which controls movement of a tool according to the positional data fed thereinto.

Abstract: The direction of pick feed is determined by a feed-direction signal produced based on the result of decision by a phase decision circuit and the direction of pick feed inputted from an input unit, and the pick feed is effected by a contour trace. In the case of tracing a hemispherical model, the pick feed can be achieved in a plane parallel to the X-Y plane. The feed-direction signal indicates whether the direction of tangential velocity is to be +90.degree. or -90.degree. with respect to the normal direction. A velocity arithmetic circuit inverts the polarity of its output, a tangential-direction velocity signal, depending on the binary value of the feed-direction signal. Motors are driven by the outputs from amplifiers selected by a gate circuit, by which, in the case of tracing the hemispherical model, the pick feed plane is made to correspond to that in the case of a contour trace, wherein the pick feed can be effected in a plane parallel to the X-Y plane.

Abstract: In a system which performs tracer control by calculating the direction and velocity of tracing using signals from a tracer head tracing the model surface, there are provided an input unit for entering data defining the tracing operation, a memory for storing the data and a processor for reading out the data from the memory to control respective parts of a control device. Of the data defining the tracing operation, stored in the memory, data concerning the reference displacement of the tracer head is read out by the processor to change the reference displacement for each profile modeling operation, thereby automatically performing repetitive tracing.

Abstract: A clamping tracer control system which performs a tracing feed and a pick feed alternately and effects a clamping feed at a preset clamp level and in which, between the pick feed position where the clamping feed is carried out first and the pick feed position where the clamping feed has been completed, tracer control is repeated while changing the clamp level sequentially, and when the clamping feed has been completed in the repeated tracer control, the clamp level is restored to its area of initial value to resume tracer control of the tracing feed and the pick feed alternately in the next area.

Abstract: A method of controlling an operation of a copycutting apparatus including a tracer for tracing automatically a pattern and a cutting gas torch interconnected to the tracer in a given relationship. Prior to the actual working, the tracer is manually moved with respect to the pattern along a given path and stores coordinates of operational points such as a piercing point, a copy start point, a copy end point, an intermediate point, a slow down point, etc. During the actual working the stored coordinates are readout to control the movement of the tracer in such a manner that until the tracer does not reach a copy start point the copying apparatus is set in a position setting mode in which the tracer is moved under the control of the readout coordinates. After the tracer has reached the copy start point the copying apparatus is switched into a copying mode in which the movement of tracer along the pattern is controlled by detecting the pattern.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a copying apparatus which includes a tracer for tracing automatically a contour of a pattern to be copied and a working machine arranged in conjunction with the tracer in a given relationship is disclosed. At first, the tracer is moved manually with respect to the pattern to be traced to detect point data such as a working start point, a copy start point and a copy end point, and then automatically moved along the contour of the pattern to detect pattern data, while the working operation is performed. Next, the thus detected point and pattern data are stored in a cassette tape. Therefore, in case of performing the repetitive working operation for the same pattern, since the working operation can be performed in accordance with the data read out of the cassette tape, the required working operation can be effected in a simple and rapid manner.

Abstract: A three-dimensional tracer control system which is provided with an integration circuit for integrating the difference between a Z-axis direction displacement signal and a reference displacement signal and an adder for adding together the above-mentioned difference and the output from the integration circuit. The trace velocity in the Z-axis direction is controlled by the output from the adder, by which it is possible to perform tracing, with the Z-axis direction displacement signal and the reference displacement signal held nearly equal to each other; consequently, machining accuracy is increased.

Abstract: A tracer control system which performs tracer control based on a displacement signal from a tracer head tracing the surface of a model and is equipped with the function of freely setting the infeed of a cutter for machining a workpiece. The tracer control system is provided with a first drive system for feeding the tracer head in the Z-axis direction, a second drive system for feeding the cutter head in the Z-axis direction, first and second position detectors for detecting the positions of the tracer head and the cutter head in the Z-axis direction, and a superimposing circuit for superimposing on each other a position detection signal from the first position detector and an infeed command signal for setting the infeed of the cutter head. The cutter head is fed by the second drive system in the Z-axis direction so that the difference between output signals from the superimposing circuit and the second position detector may be reduced to zero.

Abstract: In a tracer control system which controls tracing based on displacement signals from a tracer head tracing the surface of a model, there are provided position detectors for detecting the positions of a tracing machine along the X, Y and Z axes and angle correcting means. The difference between a set trace direction and the actual trace direction detected by the position detectors is obtained for every other fixed distance of movement along the X-axis or Y-axis direction and a trace velocity along the X-axis or Y-axis direction is corrected by the angle correcting means so that the above difference may be reduced to zero, thereby controlling tracing to be performed in the set trace direction.

Abstract: In a tracer control equipment which calculates a trace direction and a trace velocity using signals from a tracer head tracing the model surface and performs tracer control in accordance with the calculation results, there are provided a memory for storing numerical command data and means for reading out the numerical command data by a processor from the memory, whereby to add a numerical control function for positioning control to the tracer control equipment.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a cutting work using the numerical data obtained from a tracing of a model by stylus means, said numerical data being obtained by applying a proportional allotment to a first and second numerical data related to a first and a second stylus, in accordance with the radius of the cross-section of a cutting tool.

Abstract: A velocity control for a machine tool tracing system reduces the operating speed of the system in response to a rapid change of phase angle in the tracing stylus deflection produced, for example, when tracing the contour of a sharp angle or inside corner of a template.