Abstract: A post-processing unit includes a punch unit that punches a paper on which recording is performed by a recording unit that discharges ink, and a controller that controls a punching operation of the punch unit. The controller sets at least one of the number of punching and a punching speed per paper in the punch unit based on setting information of at least one of recording information and environmental information in the recording unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control system controls a robot. The control system includes a first system and a second system. The first system transmits a first command and supplementary data. The first command is represented using a specification different from a control command specification used by a controller of the robot. The supplementary data corresponds to the first command. The second system generates a second command based on the first command, attaches the supplementary data to the second command, and transmits the second command to the controller. The second command corresponds to the control command specification.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shaped article production method for producing a three-dimensional shaped article by stacking layers to form a stacked body includes a constituent layer formation step of forming a constituent layer which corresponds to a constituent region of the three-dimensional shaped article, a support layer formation step of forming a support layer which is in contact with the constituent layer and supports the constituent layer, and a sintering step of sintering the constituent layer, wherein the support layer is configured such that as compared with the volume decrement accompanying the sintering step of a space surrounded by the constituent layer from at least two directions, the volume decrement accompanying the sintering step of the support layer which supports the constituent layer in the space is larger.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control system controls a robot. The control system includes a first system and a second system. The first system transmits a first command and supplementary data. The first command is represented using a specification different from a control command specification used by a controller of the robot. The supplementary data corresponds to the first command. The second system generates a second command based on the first command, attaches the supplementary data to the second command, and transmits the second command to the controller. The second command corresponds to the control command specification.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus has a power supply, a control device connected to the power supply, a welding device selectively connected to the power supply via the control device, and a switch connected between the control device and the welding device. The control device includes a time delay relay that measures a predetermined time period. The switch maintains a closed position when the predetermined time period expires and the welding device is producing a welding arc. The switch switches from the closed position to an open position when the predetermined time period expires and the welding device stops producing the welding arc. The control device transfers current from the power supply to the welding device when the switch is in the closed position, and blocks current from the power supply to the welding device when the switch is in the open position.

Abstract: A welding system having a welding power supply, a wire feeder coupled to the welding power supply, and a welding torch coupled to the wire feeder and configured to output wire from the wire feeder is provided. In particular, the welding system includes a wireless module (e.g., gateway) disposed within a component of the welding system, or as an independent component within the welding system. For example, the wireless module may be disposed within the welding power supply, the wire feeder, or the welding torch. The wireless module is configured to wirelessly transmit to and receive welding information, such as operator identification information, from a wireless personal device. The wireless personal device is uniquely associated with a welding operator operating the welding system.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.