Metal Patents (Class 700/145)
  • Patent number: 11803165
    Abstract: In accordance with a program, a processor obtains a plurality of manufacturing parameters and a measured value of an at least one property of an alloy material, calculates a pre-predicted value based on a first manufacturing parameter included in the plurality of manufacturing parameters using a prediction expression describing a relationship between the first manufacturing parameter, and a pre-predicted value of the property representing a roughly calculated value of a target predicted value that is a target value of the property, calculates a difference between the pre-predicted value and a measured value of the property, and trains a model using a training data set including a second manufacturing parameter and the difference, to generate a trained model that is used to predict the at least one property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: UACJ Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Moriguchi, Yusuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11733670
    Abstract: An information processing device is connected to a measurement device provided in the vicinity of a machine tool for machining a workpiece using a tool and a numerical control device configured to control the machine tool. The information processing device includes: a display unit configured to display information; a first acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the measurement device, measurement information measured by the measurement device; a second acquisition unit configured to acquire, from the numerical control device, state information indicating a state of the machine tool; and a display control unit configured to cause the display unit to display the measurement information and the state information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sichen Liu
  • Patent number: 11278207
    Abstract: A system for providing multi-wavelength laser includes an optical splitter arranged to split light received from a pulsed laser source into at least a first light beam and a second light beam; a first optical regulator arranged to adjust a wavelength of the first light beam and to output the adjusted first light beam; a second optical regulator arranged to introduce a time delay to the second light beam and to output the delayed second light beam; and an optical combiner arranged to combine the adjusted first light beam and the delayed second light beam, and to output a combined light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Lidai Wang, Yizhi Liang
  • Patent number: 11209792
    Abstract: To generate link information containing association between machining information and/or machine information in a machining program, and an optical feature in a workpiece image. A link information generation device 1 comprises: a machining information acquisition unit 111 that acquires machining information in a machining program for a machine tool that executes machining on a workpiece W; a machine information acquisition unit 112 that acquires machine information about the machining state of the machine tool; a workpiece image acquisition unit 13 that acquires image information about the workpiece W; an optical feature setting unit 14 that sets an image area having an optical feature in the image information about the workpiece W; and a link information generation unit 15 that generates link information containing association between the image area having the optical feature, and the machining information and/or the machine information about a workpiece area associated with the image area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuki Sugita, Hang Cui
  • Patent number: 11141767
    Abstract: A forging assembly may comprise a first die and a second die configured to translate toward the second die. A first sensor may be coupled to at least one of the first die or the second die. The first sensor may be configured to output a first signal correlating to a first distance between the first die and the second die. Additional sensors may be applied to track die alignment during the forging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Rebbecchi, Jean Philippe Thomas
  • Patent number: 10882098
    Abstract: A method of processing a material by use of high kinetic energy comprises a piston driven from a start position by a hydraulic system pressure by a drive chamber, by only one stroke, to transfer high kinetic energy to a blank/tool to be processed, whereafter there is a risk that a rebound of the piston will occur, so a step is taken in connection with said stroke performed, to prevent said piston from making a rebound with an essential content of kinetic energy to avoid negative effects as a result, whereafter the piston is returned to said start position by means of a second chamber, wherein a valve means closes the driving connection between the system pressure and the piston, the valve means is controlled by a pilot valve controlling the entire striking progress, and the second chamber is pressurized with the system pressure during the entire striking progress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Cell Impact AB
    Inventors: Anders Ivarson, Erika Henriksson, Alem Buljubasic
  • Patent number: 10706258
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for cell identification using a lens-less cell identification sensor. Randomly distributed cells can be illuminated by a light source such as a laser. The object beam can be passed through one or more diffusers. Pattern recognition is applied on the captured optical signature to classify the cells. For example, features can be extracted and a trained classifier can be used to classify the cells. The cell classes can be accurately identified even when multiple cells of the same class are inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: University of Connecticut
    Inventors: Bahram Javidi, Adam Markman, Siddharth Rawat, Satoru Komatsu
  • Patent number: 10639695
    Abstract: A method is provided for press forming a product having a shape of a top board portion, a vertical wall portion continuously formed from the top board portion and a flange portion continuously formed from the vertical wall portion at a press process of two or more stages, wherein a convex or concave bead shape is preformed in a position of a flat metal sheet as a raw material corresponding to a neighborhood of a position generating breakage or flange wrinkles when the raw material is formed into a product shape, and thereafter a product shape is press formed from the raw material having the preformed bead shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Toyohisa Shinmiya, Tsuyoshi Shiozaki, Eiji Iizuka, Yuji Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 10598556
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the residual stress in surface and near surface regions of a component includes identifying predetermined locations on the surface of a component that are expected to experience high stress during normal operating conditions of the component. Marker particles are introduced into the component during additive manufacture of the component at the predetermined locations. Then, the residual stress of the component is measured at a location corresponding with the marker material using x-ray techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lyutsia Dautova, Wendell V. Twelves, Jr., Joe Ott, Evan Butcher, Gary A. Schirtzinger, Rainer J. Herbert
  • Patent number: 10535032
    Abstract: Process model merging receives data representative of a first model that models a first process and a second model that models a second process, and determines, based on the data and a predetermined plurality of basic model manipulation operations, atomic differences in the second model relative to the first model. Compound differences are determined in the second model relative to the first model. A user is informed of the atomic differences and the compound differences. The user is allowed to select a set of the plurality of basic model manipulation operations. A modified first model is obtained by applying the selected set of basic model manipulation operations to the first model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sebastian Carbajales, Tak S. Chau, Christian Gerth, Michael Illiger, Jochen M. Kuester, Simon Moser
  • Patent number: 10501209
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a selected configuration for a structure. Metrology data for a support system is received while the support system holds the structure. A determination is made as to whether a current configuration of the structure is within selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data. The support system is moved to move the structure held by the support system into the selected configuration in response to a determination that the current configuration of the structure is not within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James M. Cobb, Clayton Lynn Munk, Dan Dresskell Day, Eric M. Reid, Matthew Ray DesJardien, Steven A. Best
  • Patent number: 10409305
    Abstract: Systems and methods for HVAC system design and zone group management are disclosed. A floor plan of a building is received, and an HVAC system configuration is selected from among a set of template HVAC configurations. HVAC components are selected from set of template HVAC components to customize the configuration. As components are selected, candidate positions for the HVAC component within the HVAC system configuration are determined and presented to a user to ensure compliance with engineering requirements. The floor plan includes a mapping of an HVAC system configuration to an HVAC zone group. If a change is made to the HVAC system configuration of a zone associated with a zone group, it is determined if another zone group shares the same properties as the changed HVAC configuration. If one exists, the changes]d zone is moved to the new zone group. If not, a new zone group is created and the changes zone is moved to the new zone group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Biesterveld, Nagappan Chidambaram, Manoj Kumar Puli, Scott J. Delo
  • Patent number: 10253401
    Abstract: A method for relieving residual stress in cast-in-place liners of high pressure die cast (HPDC) engine blocks to prevent cracking in the liners during the machining process. The method includes locally heating up the liners and the surrounding engine block material through rapid induction heating and then cooling down the liners and surrounding engine block material with still ambient air to a predetermined temperature after the residual stress has been reduced to a desired threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Maurice G Meyer, Qigui Wang, Jianghuai Yang
  • Patent number: 10229233
    Abstract: Metal forming tool design or metal forming manufacture utilize computer aided design to generate initial tool geometry and/or to optimize or investigate possible changes in the parameters. Such computer models utilize friction parameters in combination with material characteristics of the tool and blank to assess the process before actual testing. It has been found that such models and assessment possible with such models can be significantly improved by use of a friction parameter representative of the mixed film stage of the lubricant. In a preferred embodiment an approximate average of the mixed film range is used to determine a coefficient of friction used in a computer aided design model that includes a finite element analysis procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Inventor: Gregory Dalton
  • Patent number: 10071407
    Abstract: Provided is a camber control apparatus and method capable of reducing camber of a slab sizing press (SSP). The camber control apparatus and method may calculates a camber amount through an imaging process and differently set zeroing of anvils at a work side and a drive side, thereby reducing camber. Thus, the camber control apparatus and method can reduce quality defects such as telescope, twist, wave, and roll mark, increase the lifetime of equipment by reducing a variation in load applied to the equipment, and minimize a cost caused by an equipment accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Steel Company
    Inventors: Jin-Dong Hwang, Hyeong-Jin Kim, Yong-Kook Park, Woo-Young Shin
  • Patent number: 10046378
    Abstract: A bending robot takes out a workpiece stored on a stacker while contacting its end face with a storage reference flat plane of the stacker, and then supplies it to a bending machine. The bending robot includes a main body movable parallel to the storage reference flat plane, an arm portion supported by the main body and capable of positioning above the stacker, and a distance sensor provided in the arm portion for measuring a distance to the workpiece stored on the stacker in a contactless manner. According to the bending robot, bending can be done with high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: AMADA HOLDING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuaki Kato, Atsushi Yamagishi, Daiya Uchida
  • Patent number: 9952580
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for machining a part for an assembly. First sensor data is acquired for a surface of a first part from a first sensor system. Second sensor data is acquired for a set of existing holes in a second part from a second sensor system. A surface model of the surface of the first part is generated using the first sensor data. First offset data is computed based on a nominal model of a third part that is nominally positioned relative to the surface model within a three-dimensional virtual environment. Second offset data is computed for the set of existing holes using the second sensor data. Overall offset data is generated using the first and second offset data, wherein the overall offset data is used to drill a set of holes in the third part for use in fastening the third part to the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Aksel Bode, Bela Laszlo Zold, Peter H. Bui, David James Odendahl, Frederick James Richter
  • Patent number: 9944022
    Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus, generated using a 3D printer, the apparatus including an object, the object being fabricated from a 3D printer, the object including a first part of the object, the first part of the object defining a first void and a second part of the object, the second part of the object defining a second void. The apparatus can include a pin, the pin having a first end and a second end, where the first end of the pin engages the first void of the object and the second end of the pin engages the second end of the pin such that the first part is coupled with the second part to form the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ghost Capital, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Quincy Robinson
  • Patent number: 9870643
    Abstract: Provided is a development view generation system including a storage unit that stores information on a three-dimensional shape of an article, a development surface determination unit in which when there is a second surface adjacent to a first surface, the first surface being a determination target, and there is a third surface adjacent to the first surface and the second surface, if an angle between the first surface and the second surface and an angle between the first surface and the third surface are a pre-set threshold or less, the development surface determination unit determines the first surface as a development surface, and if any one of the respective angles is greater than the threshold, the development surface determination unit determines the first surface as a non-development surface, and a development view generation unit that generates a development view, for a surface which is determined as a development surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori Yoshizuka, Toshihiro Numauchi
  • Patent number: 9818071
    Abstract: Various methods and systems include exemplary implementations for a security-activated operational component. Possible embodiments include but are not limited to obtaining access to an object data file configured to implement various functional operation regarding one or more objects; verifying validity of an authorization code associated with the object data file; and controlling operation of the operational component to enable or prevent its activation pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9676019
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems of orienting parts for incremental sheet forming and, in some examples, forming the parts in these orientations. A forming orientation may be identified by simulating forming operations of the same part in multiple different orientations and identifying the thinnest portions of the part for each of the orientations. The orientation with the maximum thickness of these identified portions is selected as a forming orientation. The forming simulation may be based on the Sine law by comparing the actual and projected areas of different surface elements of the shape to be formed. As such, a part formed in the forming orientation will have the greatest minimum thickness among all other possible orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael C. Elford
  • Patent number: 9547303
    Abstract: A system is provided that is configured to receive a manufacturing process plan for a product including a plurality of component parts joined by fasteners, with the manufacturing process plan including process definitions that describe process operations in which component parts are worked to manufacture of the product. The system is configured to generate graphical views for respective process operations of the manufacturing process plan in which fastener locations are worked for installation of respective fasteners to join component parts of the product, and output the graphical views. The graphical view of a process operation may graphically depict one or more component parts and only those of the fastener locations on the one or more component parts worked during the process operation, with any others of the fastener locations on the same or other component parts being hidden from the graphical view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Fredrick C. Rudnick, III, Christopher L. Carpenter, Anthony J. Williams
  • Patent number: 9391498
    Abstract: A method for configuring a coil forming machine is provided. The method comprises receiving a 3D model of a production coil, generating a 3D model of the coil forming machine, and comparing the received 3D production coil model to the 3D model of the coil forming machine to obtain a comparison. The method also includes outputting a display of the comparison and adjusting the coil forming machine in response to the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael H. Feige
  • Patent number: 9321090
    Abstract: A manufacturing method forms components having a desired shape. A contoured surface is defined for a forming tool for forming a metal blank into the desired shape, wherein respective portions of the metal blank flow over the contoured surface during forming. An intrinsic material flow pattern resulting from the contoured surface is compared to a desired flow in order to identify regions of the contoured surface having an insufficient flow that creates areas in the formed metal blank receiving less than a desired amount of metal. A surface microtexture is applied onto the contoured surface in a pattern selected to increase metal flow along the identified regions by providing a friction in the identified regions that is reduced relative to adjacent regions of the contoured surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignees: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, THE BOEING COMPANY, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhiyong Cedric Xia, Jian Cao, Qian Wang, Rajesh Talwar, Donald J. Grzina, Tiffany Davis Ling, Pinzhi Liu
  • Patent number: 9201471
    Abstract: A cellular telephone device with a control unit sets a display mode of a display unit to any one of a first display mode for performing two-dimensional display, and a second display mode for performing three-dimensional display; the cellular telephone device displays both of first information and second information, which is subordinate information to the first information, on the display unit, in a case of being set to the second display mode; and the cellular telephone device displays any one of the first information and the second information on the display unit, in a case of being set to the first display mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Sato, Takahiro Nagaya
  • Patent number: 9002499
    Abstract: Methods for determining a recovery state of a metal alloy are disclosed herein. In one example, a fluctuation in a crystallographic grain orientation of the metal alloy is determined by utilizing electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data of the metal alloy. A processor of an electron backscatter diffraction machine utilizes a local orientation deviation quantifier to correlate the fluctuation in the crystallographic grain orientation of the metal alloy with a plastic strain recovery of the metal alloy. Other examples of the method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rajesh Raghavan, Shashank Tiwari, Sushil Kumar Mishra
  • Patent number: 8887366
    Abstract: Methods and related computer program products for processing a workpiece on a machine tool, including changing at least one control parameter of the machine tool based on a quantity of waste and/or good components discharged from the machine tool during processing of the workpiece, the at least one control parameter causing a change of at least one waste and/or good component container of the machine tool, wherein the quantity of waste and/or good components generated as a function of time during processing of the workpiece is determined before processing of the workpiece begins, and is stored in a numerical control program of the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Buettner, Wolfgang Laib, Ignazio Spagnuolo
  • Publication number: 20140277684
    Abstract: Metal fabrication systems and related equipment may be monitored by collecting and transmitting parameter data relating to welding operations to a memory and processing system. Goals for selected parameters may be pre-defined, and certain of these may be standard for corresponding welding systems, locations, operations, operators, and so forth. Upon request a web based report is generated and delivered to a user that indicates the system or systems, comparisons of the actual system performance versus the goals, time periods for the comparisons, and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan John Lamers, Nathan Gerald Leiteritz, Knut Norman Froland, Todd Earl Holverson, Gregory David Popp
  • Patent number: 8805569
    Abstract: A controller restraining overcorrections which occur upon manual intervention in operation of an equipment controller. The controller includes a driving device which drives equipment to perform mechanical work, a computation element which computes a target value related to an action of the equipment, an automatic controller which outputs an automatic control signal for the driving device based on the target value so that the equipment becomes stable. The controller also includes a manual intervention control unit which outputs a manual correction signal for the driving device in response to a manual intervention. A manual correction unit makes a determination as to whether there is an overcorrection based on the automatic control signal and the manual correction signal, and outputs to the driving device a product obtained by multiplying the manual correction signal output from the manual intervention unit by a prescribed gain regulation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Tachibana
  • Patent number: 8768503
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the creation of addendums (4) of tools for sheet metal formed parts (2). In the case of this method, fill surfaces (7) for the smoothing of irregular zones of a component edge (3) are generated. Initial directions (31) of sectional profiles (10) are determined in such a manner, that sectional profiles (10) at a distance from one another are arranged along a component (3, 8) with utilization of these initial directions (31) and that an addendum (4) is creatable by the connection of these sectional profiles (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Autoform Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Hillmann, Waldemar Kubli
  • Patent number: 8731717
    Abstract: Methods include one or more of robotically positioning a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, using a power-driven device to move a cutting element on an earth-boring tool, and robotically applying a bonding material for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool. Robotic systems are used to robotically position a cutting element on an earth-boring tool. Systems for orienting a cutting element relative to a tool body include a power-driven device for moving a cutting element on or adjacent the tool body. Systems for positioning and orienting a cutting element on an earth-boring tool include such a power-driven device and a robot for carrying a cutting element. Systems for attaching a cutting element to an earth-boring tool include a robot carrying a torch for heating at least one of a cutting element, a tool body, and a bonding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David Keith Luce, Sean W. Wirth, Alan J. Massey, Crystal A. Parrot
  • Patent number: 8718811
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to generate a lofted sheet metal model. User input is accepted that obtains two input profiles. A triangulated lofted shape is generated that transitions between the two profiles. The triangulated lofted shape is adjusted to reflect a manufacturing process. A manufacturable lofted sheet metal shape is then generated based on the adjusted triangulated lofted shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth A. Hindman, Gerald Hochenauer, Matthew J. Bussey
  • Publication number: 20130345850
    Abstract: Described is a procedure for controlling the shape of a complex metal profile obtained by a successive series of a plurality of bends of a metal sheet on a panel bender machine equipped with a data processing and functions control unit for the machine comprising the entering in the processing unit of data relative to a drawing of the complex profile with physical coordinates, as well as data relative to the thickness of the metal sheet and the distance from the axis of the panel bender machine of the metal sheet-profile edge, and conversion of the drawing supplied with physical coordinates into a digital image with imaging coordinates. The nominal profile processed as above is shown on a suitable display superimposed on the image of the complex profile of the metal sheet acquired by a suitably positioned TV camera. A visual control the correspondence between the two superimposed profiles is then performed on the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: FINN-POWER ITALIA S.R.L
    Inventor: Andrea Frigo
  • Publication number: 20130282160
    Abstract: A computer supervised method if provided for fabricating articles defined in an electronic information source. The method is performed with a computer in communication with a computer controllable steel fabrication machine of a type that includes vises for holding and rotating a primary member of the article, for example a steel beam, under control of the computer. The method includes operating the computer to extract data from the information source including data defining primary members corresponding to each article. The computer then determines tasks be performed on the primary members by the fabrication machine to transform the primary members, e.g. steel beams, into the articles. The computer transmits a sequence of commands to the machine for carrying out the tasks on the primary members to thereby fabricate the articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Kevin Francis Fitzgerald, Nathan Challen
  • Patent number: 8560103
    Abstract: A method for designing a formed sheet-metal part using a computing system is described. The method typically includes performing a numerical simulation of the forming process and computing a local property variable associated with points of the part. Problem zones of the sheet-metal part are identified based on the numerical simulation, and a visual representation of the sheet-metal part, in which problem zones are identified, is displayed. Information about a problem zone, such as status of the problem zone and the problem zone's unique identifier, are visually displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: Waldemar Kubli, Andreas Krainer
  • Publication number: 20130253691
    Abstract: Methods for determining a recovery state of a metal alloy are disclosed herein. In one example, a fluctuation in a crystallographic grain orientation of the metal alloy is determined by utilizing electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) data of the metal alloy. A processor of an electron backscatter diffraction machine utilizes a local orientation deviation quantifier to correlate the fluctuation in the crystallographic grain orientation of the metal alloy with a plastic strain recovery of the metal alloy. Other examples of the method are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Rajesh Raghavan, Shashank Tiwari, Sushil Kumar Mishra
  • Patent number: 8509942
    Abstract: Surface 27 of molten metal within a mold is constantly monitored by camera 25. Camera 25 records the surface from an obliquely upward position of the mold in an area that does not affect the casting process. Various analyzing frames such as analysis band 35, molten metal pattern 37, and injection monitoring part 43, are set with respect to the information recorded by the camera 25. The analysis band 35 includes the surface (molten metal part 31c), and is set to a predetermined width so that the direction of surface change is in the longitudinal direction. The width of the analysis band 35 is set as wide as possible in a range that does not block the discharge part (molten metal part 31a). Inside the analysis band 35, the rate of change of the binary data is calculated by the analyzing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Furukawa Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Tomimatsu, Daisuke Nishide
  • Publication number: 20130199014
    Abstract: Methods and related computer program products for processing a workpiece on a machine tool, including changing at least one control parameter of the machine tool based on a quantity of waste and/or good components discharged from the machine tool during processing of the workpiece, the at least one control parameter causing a change of at least one waste and/or good component container of the machine tool, wherein the quantity of waste and/or good components generated as a function of time during processing of the workpiece is determined before processing of the workpiece begins, and is stored in a numerical control program of the machine tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: TRUMPF WERKZEUGMASCHINEN GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventor: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
  • Patent number: 8463583
    Abstract: In a method for designing a formed sheet-metal part, a method for displaying a visual representation of the quality of the formed sheet-metal part, the method comprising the steps of: simulating the deformation of the part by a forming process of the part, thereby computing thinning and thickening effects of the forming process on the part, for different values of a restraining force; displaying a visual representation of the part and of the thickening and thinning effects of different regions of the part; classifying the surface of the part as having several regions, each region being associated with a particular range of the thickening and thinning effects; computing and displaying on the display device a diagram displaying, as a function of the restraining force, the relative size of areas of these regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Waldemar Kubli
  • Patent number: 8423191
    Abstract: A cast iron brake caliper with improved fatigue life, and a process and process equipment for pre-stressing a cast iron brake caliper to provide improved fatigue life, is provided. In the process, a load is applied to a cast iron caliper, where the load is high enough to locally yield and plastically deform the cast iron material, but not high enough to cause material failure, such as cracking. Upon load removal, residual compressive stresses in the cast iron caliper lower the mid-point of the stress range the plastically-deformed region of the caliper sees during in-service use, and thereby lowers the peak stress seen in this region, increasing fatigue life. The process permits a cast iron brake caliper to be designed to use less material and thus fit within constrained wheel rim envelopes, without the need to resort to high cost materials or other alternative design strategies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventors: Ronald S. Plantan, Richard Lee Lantz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8359119
    Abstract: In a method for assisting at least partially manual control of a metal processing line (1), in which metal (4) in strip or slab form or a pre-profiled state is worked, the proportion of at least one metallurgical phase of the metal is continuously determined with respect to at least one specific location of the metal processing line while taking into account operating parameters of the metal processing line (1) that influence the phase state and/or state parameters of the metal, and the proportion of the least one phase with respect to the specific location of the metal processing line is indicated to an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Schmors, Klaus Weinzierl
  • Patent number: 8352064
    Abstract: A revert alloy is used in the manufacture of a target alloy having a different composition. The weight percent of the elemental constituents of this first alloy and a second or target alloy are obtained, and the ratio of the percentage by weight of each elemental constituent in the first alloy to the second alloy is determined. The lowest ratio is used to determine the amount of the first alloy that is melted and the necessary elemental constituents that are added to the melt to produce the desired composition of the target alloy. The melt is solidified to produce the target alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Dale A. Schenk, John J. Schirra
  • Patent number: 8286236
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a manufacturing control system include but are not limited to identifying at least one object data file configured to produce an object by a manufacturing machine; confirming that an authorization code is associated with the object data file, the authorization code configured to be received by the manufacturing machine, the manufacturing machine adapted to receive the authorization code; and enabling the manufacturing machine to interface with the object data file only if the authorization code meets one or more predetermined conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8285413
    Abstract: A sheet metal fabrication system for efficiently providing robotics to fabricate different types of sheet metal. The sheet metal fabrication system generally includes uploading a fabrication file to a controller, feeding a section of sheet metal to at least one robotic device, fabricating the section of sheet metal according to the fabrication file and forming a finished sheet metal product with the at least one robotic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: International Training Institute for the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Industry
    Inventors: James R. Shoulders, Michael A. Keane
  • Patent number: 8280531
    Abstract: A method and computer program for the control of the heat treatment of batches of metal workpieces for increasing the degree of automation of industrial furnace plants presumes an identical batch layout, an identical treatment program, and an identical article geometry of metal workpieces and relates it to a model batch, which has been run using batch thermoelements. The model batch becomes the foundation for a new batch. Through the assumption of program parameters of the actually run process of the model batch into the program of the new batch to be run, new batch thermoelements are not required for the new batch to be run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Ipsen, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Eversmann, Thomas Muhlhaus, Frank Biester, Regina Wolf, Jorg Willeke, Werner Schulte
  • Patent number: 8271118
    Abstract: A method for computer-aided generation determining of a method plan for the manufacture of sheet-metal forming parts by way of forming processes, comprises the following steps: determining a set of geometry features (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of a part (10) in a geometry model of the part (10), wherein each of the geometry features (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) is described by a feature type and by way of geometric parameters for describing the geometric shape of the geometry features (11, 12, 13, 14, 15); determining an associated method standard for each of the geometry features (11, 12, 13, 14, 15), wherein a method standard describes one variant for manufacturing the respective geometry feature (11, 12, 13, 14, 15), the selection of the method standards which may be associated with a certain geometry features (11, 12, 13, 14, 15), is dependent on the feature type of the geometry feature (11, 12, 13, 14, 15), and wherein a method standard comprises at least one module, and a module represents a processing unit and des
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Autoform Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Pietsch, Silke Wagner, Nicolas Lefebvre, Waldemar Kubli
  • Patent number: 8255073
    Abstract: In a method for assisting at least partially manual control of a metal processing line (1), in which metal (4) in strip or slab form or a pre-profiled state is worked, the proportion of at least one metallurgical phase of the metal is continuously determined with respect to at least one specific location of the metal processing line while taking into account operating parameters of the metal processing line (1) that influence the phase state and/or state parameters of the metal, and the proportion of the least one phase with respect to the specific location of the metal processing line is indicated to an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Schmors, Klaus Weinzierl
  • Publication number: 20120185075
    Abstract: A control parameter ramp profile that enables control parameters to be modified in a non-linear manner, such that as a temperature set point of a tool or a weld is approached, the control parameter ramp profile enables the temperature set point to be approached in a manner that prevents temperature overshoot and therefore creating a better weld along the length thereof, wherein the control parameter ramp profile includes but is not limited to proportional, exponential or an S-curve waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Babb, Russell J. Steel, Scott M. Packer, John Williams
  • Patent number: 8214182
    Abstract: Computational systems, methods, and articles of manufacture to predict at least one of residual stresses and distortion in quenched aluminum castings. Residual stresses and distortion may be predicted through incorporating thermal strains induced during quenching with the nonlinear constitutive behavior of quenched microstructures of a quenched aluminum casting, wherein thermal strains arise generally from non-uniform transient temperature distribution of the casting during quenching. The transient temperature distribution of the aluminum casting during quenching may be calculated based on heat transfer coefficients specific to one or more nodes, elements and/or zones on the surfaces of the aluminum casting. The nonlinear constitutive behavior of the quenched aluminum casting may be modeled as functions of temperatures, strain rates, and microstructure variations. A material constitutive model accounts for not only strain hardening and creep, but also precipitate hardening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Qigui Wang, Cherng-Chi Chang, David Paluch, Guihua Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120136473
    Abstract: A method of making a mechanical multishear link includes sizing the multishear link by breaking down a system comprised by the link into as many subassemblies as there are simple shear interfaces, defining the subassemblies around each shear interface, describing each shear by its stiffness, and applying the mechanical relationships to achieve a system of equations for a computer-assisted resolution by applying the Huth method to each shear interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: ASTRIUM SAS
    Inventors: Marcel Auberon, Nicolas Petermann