Abstract: A system to manufacture orthodontic appliances, program product, and associated methods are provided. An embodiment of a system can include a virtual orthodontic appliance design computer having orthodontic appliance design program product provided to design a virtual dimensional representation of an orthodontic appliance including bracket bodies and bracket pads, and a mold apparatus positioned to form each bracket body and bracket pad. The system also includes a data processing computer including computer-aided manufacturing program product provided to derive electrical discharge device control instructions including a virtual dimensional representation of a bracket slot in the bracket, and an electrical discharge machining apparatus. The electrical discharge machining apparatus can include a controller including control program product to derive a control signal carrying the electrical discharge device control instructions and an electrical discharge device.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to obtain an orbital path shape. Each point on the orbital path shape represents a displacement of the tool shape when the tool shape is moved along the orbital path shape The tool shape, when moved along the orbital path shape, sweeps out a desired cavity shape. The executable instructions further include instructions to obtain an input solid model corresponding to the desired cavity shape to be swept out and derive a set of faces for a solid model of the tool shape based on the orbital path shape and a set of faces, a set of edges and a set of vertices corresponding to the input solid model. The executable instructions further include instructions to combine a subset of the set of faces derived for the tool shape to generate the solid model of the tool shape. In one embodiment, the tool shape corresponds to a Minkowski decomposition of the input solid model with respect to the orbital path shape.

Abstract: A discharge-generation control unit applies at least a preliminary-discharge voltage pulse and a main-discharge voltage pulse between a wire electrode and a work. A discharge-position determining unit determines a discharge position from results of measurement by a plurality of current measuring units. A machining-energy adjusting unit adjusts machining energy generated by the main-discharge voltage pulse based on a discharge position determined before applying the main-discharge voltage pulse, and reflects a result of the adjustment on the generation of an electric discharge by feeding the result to the discharge-generation control unit.

Abstract: A method of determining machining condition for a sinker electric discharge machining apparatus in which a tool electrode is advanced along a z-axis to machine the workpiece, comprises the steps of: (a) producing a cavity model (D) as a solid model of part of the tool electrode; (b) tessellating the cavity model into a mesh of triangle each of triangles having an ordered set of vertices and having an orientation defined by the ordering of the vertices; (c) projecting the triangles on an xy plane surface; (d) summing up areas (S) of the projected triangles having the same orientation to calculate a machining area; and (e) determining machining conditions based on the machining area.

Abstract: Calibration apparatus comprising a positional calibration means, and a machine tool assembly chuck configured to, in use, locate a machine tool assembly comprising a machine tool configured to be adjustably mounted on a machine tool mount. The positional calibration means and chuck are mounted on a common base relative to one another. The positional calibration means comprises a calibration headstock provided with a positional feature engagement means for cooperative engagement with a machine tool location feature provided on the machine tool. When the machine tool is adjusted on the machine tool mount relative to the positional calibration means, cooperative engagement of the positional feature engagement means and the machine tool location feature indicates the machine tool is aligned along a predetermined machine tool calibration axis.

Abstract: An NC data creation device for creating NC data for forming at least one shape by electric discharge machining using at least two blades formed on one or more tool electrodes. Blade registration means registers the at least two blades (Q). Step registration means registers at least two steps to form the at least one shape (P). Blade assignment means assigns the at least two blades to the at least two steps. NC data creation means creates NC data including the at least two steps. The NC data creation means may create position commands for causing movement of the tool electrodes between two consecutive steps.

Abstract: A computer is provided with polyhedron corners. The computer uses the polyhedron corners to automatically determine the corresponding polyhedron edges and polyhedron areas and thus a closed polyhedron. The polyhedron corresponds to the selected portion of a volume. Only this selected portion is evaluated by the computer and is represented, in particular, by an output medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an fault electric arc protection circuits which comprising a power source, a signal sampling device, a signal processing module, an arc detection control device and a power cut-off module. This invention also provides a method for detecting arc-fault, comprising the steps of S1, sampling the current signal of the circuits to be protected in real time, and outputting the sampled signal; S2, processing the sampled signal, then outputting the processed result; S3, detecting the processed result, and then determining whether an arc symbol has occurred based on the detected result. The advantages of the present invention is, when using the electric equipment, once a continuous fault electric arc occurred in the wires, the protection circuits can detect the fault electric are and cut off the power, thus to prevent the fire caused by the fault electric arc.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for designing an electrode for electric discharge machining, comprising identifying a cavity in a three-dimensional design; calculating a direct negative boolean of said cavity to define a general form for an electrode; determining an orbit path for said electrode, wherein said orbit path has a plurality of vertices corresponding to a plurality of instances with said three-dimensional design; subtracting a plurality of instances from said general form for said electrode whereby an orbit gap is removed from said general form electrode; and applying a constant face offset to said general form for said electrode having said orbit gap and appropriate means and computer-readable instructions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for designing an electrode for electric discharge machining of a workpiece, based on a reverse shape to a shape of the workpiece by use of a CAD system, which comprises the steps of obtaining a first reverse solid having a reverse shape to a shape of the workpiece, from a solid of the workpiece, uniformly offsetting an entire surface of the first reverse solid by a thickness necessary for a discharge gap to obtain a second reverse solid and subjecting the second reverse solid and one or more swept reverse solids created by copying the second reverse solid while allowing a sweep movement by a small distance in a direction conforming to a rocking motion, to a logical product (AND) operation to obtain a shape of an electrode as a third reverse solid.

Abstract: A method of controlling the movement of a processing head of a machine tool includes monitoring the position of the processing head along a first coordinate direction, monitoring the movement of the processing head along a second coordinate direction different from the first coordinate direction, and limiting the acceleration or the change in acceleration of the processing head along the second coordinate direction to a value below a predetermined maximum value, wherein the predetermined maximum value depends on the position of the processing head along the first coordinate direction.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method and a system for organizing and structuring a tool room manufacturing facility for reducing lead time of manufacturing component tooling. Machine tools are grouped into work cells (also called machining lines) specific to a machining process. Each work cell can comprise: a) a number (typically more than two) of machine tools required for a specific machining operation; b) a line storage system for storing pre-fixtured and palletized work pieces; and c) a track mounted robot able to transfer the pre-fixtured and palletized work pieces between the line storage system and the machine tools. The system also comprises a centralized storage system for storing pre-manufactured standard components (work pieces), custom fixtures and pre-manufactured work pallets.

Abstract: A method of determining machining condition for a sinker electric discharge machining apparatus in which a tool electrode is advanced along a z-axis to machine the workpiece, comprises the steps of: (a) producing a cavity model (D) as a solid model of part of the tool electrode; (b) tessellating the cavity model into a mesh of triangle each of triangles having an ordered set of vertices and having an orientation defined by the ordering of the vertices; (c) projecting the triangles on an xy plane surface; (d) summing up areas (S) of the projected triangles having the same orientation to calculate a machining area; and (e) determining machining conditions based on the machining area.

Abstract: A programmed electrode wear compensation device and method for 3D EDM scanning apparatus has a compensation device which receives raw data about a working path of a working apparatus from a CAD/CAM device, calculates therefrom compensated data which take into account electrode wear and transmits the compensated data to a control device which controls the working apparatus, so that smoothness and shape of a machined surface are maintained during electric discharge.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for designing an electrode for electric discharge machining, comprising identifying a cavity in a three-dimensional design; calculating a direct negative boolean of said cavity to define a general form for an electrode; determining an orbit path for said electrode, wherein said orbit path has a plurality of vertices corresponding to a plurality of instances with said three-dimensional design; subtracting a plurality of instances from said general form for said electrode whereby an orbit gap is removed from said general form electrode; and applying a constant face offset to said general form for said electrode having said orbit gap and appropriate means and computer-readable instructions.

Abstract: A controller for a wire cut electric discharge machine which can provide stable finish machining and corner-region machining with high corner-form accuracy. An electric discharge gap detection device detects a voltage between a wire electrode and a workpiece. A machining rate detection device obtains an average machining voltage and a drop voltage value Ex which is a difference between the obtained average machining voltage and a no-load voltage. A comparison device obtains the ratio Es/Ex between a reference drop voltage value Es stored in a reference machining rate relative value storage device and the obtained drop voltage value Ex.

Abstract: A change in machining volume is calculated using a shape of the electrode and a shape of the workpiece expressed by three-dimensional models and machining condition data and the machining time is calculated according to actual machining status based on the calculated change in machining volume.

Abstract: A used wire cutting device for wire cut electric discharge machine which appropriately determines the time to replace a movable blade and a fixed blade of a cutting mechanism on the basis of not only time but also the degree of wear of each blade. The device includes a wear rate storage means for storing the wear rate per cut (1/P) of a blade of the wire cutting device depending on the diameter and material of the wire. The number of cuts performed during machining is obtained from the length of time from the start to the end of machining, and the number of actions of cutting per unit time. The number of cuts obtained is multiplied by the wear rate (1/P) for the wire used, and the resultant value is added to the last value of total wear rate R. With the value thus obtained, the last value of the total wear rate R is replaced.

Abstract: An electrical connection of a transfer station releasably, repeatably electrically couples with respect to a matching connection of a portable cartridge. A substrate in the portable cartridge has electrical contacts on a facing surface. In the transfer station, a matching circuitized flexible substrate has electrical contacts on a facing surface thereof, which are arranged to match the portable cartridge electrical contacts when in a face-to-face relationship. An elastomeric compression element, at the rear of the matching substrate, has individual protruding compression members contacting the rear surface and registered with corresponding individual electrical contacts. Elongated electrical contacts are registered with two adjacent individual compression members.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing an estimate for sheet metal working. Data of bending lines and data of an associated processing time for the bending lines is stored. Data of holes and data of an associated processing time for the holes is stored. A three-dimensional view and a development drawing which realizes the three-dimensional view are prepared based on an orthographic drawing. A bending line and a hole on a product are detected based on at least one of data of the three-dimensional view and data of the development drawing. A processing time of the specified bending line is calculated based on the associated data of the bending lines. A processing time of the specified hole on the product is calculated based on the associated data of the holes. The processing time of the bending line and the processing time of the hole are stored in a processing time memory. A total processing time necessary to process the product is calculated by adding up the processing times stored in the processing time memory.

Abstract: Supply of a wire electrode, application of a detection voltage, and binarization and sampling of the detection voltage are started, so as to start advance of the wire electrode from the position A toward a workpiece. The position of the wire electrode when a sampling value (low level) is detected for the first time is designated as a position B, and the wire electrode is advanced from this position by a predetermined distance P1, and is stopped at a position C. Retreat of the wire electrode is started from the position C, and a position Q where the sampling value has changed from the high level to the low level is stored as a contact/noncontact boundary position. Further, retreat of the wire electrode is continued, and the wire electrode is stopped at a predetermined separating position D, to thereby finish the processing.

Abstract: A controller for a wire electric discharge machine which can achieve stable machining with high surface accuracy without requiring adjustment of a gain or the like in wire-electrode feed control. A discharge gap detection unit detects a voltage between a wire electrode and a workpiece. An amount-of-machining-per-unit-distance change detection unit obtains an average machining voltage, and a voltage drop EX that is a difference between the obtained average machining voltage and a no-load voltage. A comparative determination unit obtains a ratio ES/EX between a reference voltage drop ES stored in a reference-amount-of-machining-per-unit-distance relative value storage unit and the drop voltage EX. A feed pulse arithmetic unit obtains a feed speed that makes the amount of machining per unit time constant, on the basis of the ratio ES/EX and a predetermined feed speed, and distributes feed pulses to motors to thereby move the wire electrode relatively to the workpiece.

Abstract: A discharge pulse number generated between a wire electrode and a workpiece is counted every predetermined time. A ratio Px/Ps of this counted value Px to the reference pulse number Ps will be determined to control an amount of coolant in response to this ratio Px/Ps. Also, in response to this ratio Px/Ps, an amount of movement within predetermined time is controlled. Further, through the ratio Px/Ps and the like, quiescent time to be controlled by the detection voltage generator is controlled. Thereby, surplus supply of energy is prevented, the machining speed and machining precision is improved and any disconnection of the wire electrode is avoided.

Abstract: In a wire electric discharge machining apparatus, data on the number of machining shapes and the machining frequency of each of the machining shapes are acquired by analyzing the machining program and acquiring data on the machining starting positions, and those data are stored. Displaying the stored data on a screen is used to check as to whether the number of machining shapes and the machining frequency relating to each machining shape have been programmed correctly or not.

Abstract: A manual feeding device in a wire electric discharge machine in which selection between a jog feed and a step feed is made automatically without mode change. When an axis motion key is pressed, a timer measures the time for which the key is pressed. When the key is turned off before the time measured reaches a predetermined length of time on the basis of which switching to the jog feed is made, the step feed is performed, so that the axis is moved by a predetermined amount. When the key is pressed for the length of time predetermined for switching to the jog feed, the jog feed is started, so that the axis is moved at a low speed. Further, when the key is pressed for a length of time predetermined for switching to a medium speed, the feed axis is moved at the medium speed, and when the key is pressed for a length of time predetermined for switching to a high speed, the axis is moved at the high speed.

Abstract: A wire electric discharge machine capable of preventing a straightness error from being caused by consumption of a wire electrode, to eliminate insufficient machining. A correction angle ? is predetermined for preventing the straightness error of the workpiece due to consumption. Correction amounts d1?, d2? on a program plane and an upper surface of a workpiece, respectively, are determined based on the predetermined correction angle ?, and are added to or substracted from a predetermined offset amount depending on a wire electrode radius and an electric discharging gap, to determine corrected offset amounts d1, d2 on the program plane and the upper surface of the workpiece, respectively. Correction amounts dlo, dup for lower and upper wire guides in an offset direction are obtained based on the corrected offset amounts d1, d2, respectively, so that motion paths of upper and lower wire guides relative to the workpiece are determined.

Abstract: A control system of a numerically controlled machine tool with a software structure, the control system including a program code of a control program specific to a machine tool and a framework that is independent of an application, wherein the framework is implemented in the form of a class library that has a first set of classes that define a functional structure of the control system. A second set of classes derived from the first set of classes of the framework, wherein the second set of classes contain the program code that is specific to the machine tool and that implements application specific functions of at least one of several functional groups associated with a man-machine interface, geometry processing, an interpolator, movement processing and a programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A discharge pulse number generated between a wire electrode and a workpiece is counted every predetermined time. A ratio Px/Ps of this counted value Px to the reference pulse number Ps will be determined to control an amount of coolant in response to this ratio Px/Ps. Also, in response to this ratio Px/Ps, an amount of movement within predetermined time is controlled. Further, through the ratio Px/Ps and the like, quiescent time to be controlled by the detection voltage generator is controlled. Thereby, surplus supply of energy is prevented, the machining speed and machining precision is improved and any disconnection of the wire electrode is avoided.

Abstract: When die machining including machining processes from a rough machining process to a finish machining process is carried out on the same workpiece along a closed machining path, each of the points equally dividing a length of the closed machining path by the repetition number of machining processes is defined as an approach point, so that the approach points are different from each other for each machining process. This makes it possible to avoid a concentration of the approach points at one points thereby preventing a dent from being formed at the approach point.

Abstract: A discharge-servo curve control method and device for an electrical discharge machine enables multiple discharge-servo curves to be chosen during a machining process in real-time. The control device includes a storage unit, a setting unit, a reading unit, a program unit and an instruction-judging unit capable of swapping control during execution of the program whenever a discharge-servo curve instruction is encountered.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining apparatus includes a simulator. The simulator calculates machining information relating to machining shape at each of several simulated machining depths, when the electrode is moved into a workpiece, until an input machining depth is obtained, based on the shape of the electrode input, the shape of the workpiece, and the machining depth of the workpiece, and determines a shape obtained by subtracting the machining shape from the shape of the workpiece, as a new shape of the workpiece, at each simulated machining depth.

Abstract: A machining monitor has a depicting function for depicting the machining status of a wire electric discharge machine controlled by a numerical control device. The machining monitor has current position depicting means for depicting a current position according to current position information obtained during machining by the wire electric discharge machine and/or during an operation check by depicting, and has workpiece shape depicting means for depicting a workpiece shape according to workpiece shape information obtained during machining and/or workpiece shape information during an operation check by depicting. The machining monitor displays the workpiece shape and current position concurrently.

Abstract: Track anomalies in an automated storage library are detected by transmitting a track health signal from one portion of the track. The presence of a track anomaly is determined based on any reception of the transmitted signal at another portion of the track.

Abstract: A machining monitor has a depicting function for depicting the machining status of a wire electric discharge machine controlled by a numerical control device. The machining monitor has current position depicting means for depicting a current position according to current position information obtained during machining by the wire electric discharge machine and/or during an operation check by depicting, and has workpiece shape depicting means for depicting a workpiece shape according to workpiece shape information obtained during machining and/or workpiece shape information during an operation check by depicting. The machining monitor displays the workpiece shape and current position concurrently.

Abstract: In a wire cut electric discharge machine, a correction block is inserted into a corner of a movement path where the wire electrode is moved by the electrode moving device. The correction block does not correspond to the contour of the workpiece to be machined. When it is necessary to change machining condition such as the voltage to be applied to the wire electrode before and after the corner, a changing position to change the machining condition is set on the correction block.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining (EDM) apparatus includes a plurality of machining heads, at least one EDM control system, and a plurality of programmable servo drives. Each one of the programmable servo drives is connected to the EDM control system and to a respective one of the plurality of machining heads. The programmable servo drives receive a velocity command from the EDM control system and feed a control signal to a respective one of the plurality of machining heads to control electrode positioning.

Abstract: A controller for a wire electric discharge machine which can achieve stable machining with high surface accuracy without requiring adjustment of a gain or the like in wire-electrode feed control. A discharge gap detection unit detects a voltage between a wire electrode and a workpiece. An amount-of-machining-per-unit-distance change detection unit obtains an average machining voltage, and a voltage drop EX that is a difference between the obtained average machining voltage and a no-load voltage. A comparative determination unit obtains a ratio ES/EX between a reference voltage drop ES stored in a reference-amount-of-machining-per-unit-distance relative value storage unit and the drop voltage EX. A feed pulse arithmetic unit obtains a feed speed that makes the amount of machining per unit time constant, on the basis of the ratio ES/EX and a predetermined feed speed, and distributes feed pulses to motors to thereby move the wire electrode relatively to the workpiece.

Abstract: When die machining including machining processes from a rough machining process to a finish machining process is carried out on the same workpiece along a closed machining path, each of the points equally dividing a length of the closed machining path by the repetition number of machining processes is defined as an approach point, so that the approach points are different from each other for each machining process. This makes it possible to avoid a concentration of the approach points at one points thereby preventing a dent from being formed at the approach point.

Abstract: An electric discharge machining apparatus having: a machining condition storage device (13) including a machining condition database in which machining condition data are stored; an input-output device (14) for reading either of shape data of a tool electrode (9) and machining shape data of a subject (W) for machining; a shape computing device (15) for extracting a plurality of sections from the shape data, mesh-dividing the sections into split elements, giving mesh data of solidness or hollowness and extracting machining shape characteristic from the mesh data; and a machining condition setting device (12) for selecting a machining condition while making the machining shape characteristic correspond to machining condition data in the machining condition database of the machining condition storage device (13). Even when the machining shape is complex, more efficient machining can be performed because an appropriate machining condition can be set.

Abstract: A CAD/CAM device for an electric discharge machine comprises a check unit (32) for checking whether or not a level (HC) of a clamp is lower than a safe level (HLS) of the machining solution surface before conducting actual machining. The machining tank (7) can be automatically driven so that machining solution surface level HL is set at safe level (HLS). Therefore, before the process of actual machining, it is possible to check whether or not the clamp device (5) is soaked in the machining solution (8) when machining is actually conducted.

Abstract: In a wire electric discharge machining apparatus, data on the number of machining shapes and the machining frequency of each of the machining shapes are acquired by analyzing the machining program and acquiring data on the machining starting positions, and those data are stored. Displaying the stored data on a screen is used to check as to whether the number of machining shapes and the machining frequency relating to each machining shape have been programmed correctly or not.

Abstract: A wire-electrical discharge machine infuses a processing liquid in a gap between a wire and a workpiece and processes the workpiece using predetermined processing parameters. The machine includes a processing parameter memory that stores processing parameters, a second memory that stores a relationship between nozzle height and processing energy, a processing energy determining unit that determines the processing energy, for example, during rough processing, based on the relationship, and a processing parameter changing unit that changes the processing parameters based on the processing energy. The workpiece is processed using the changed processing parameters. According to this construction, wire breakage can be prevented and the accuracy of the processed surface can be improved.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a system and method for manufacturing plastic injection mold cavity components. More specifically, the present invention provides an integrated system and method for manufacturing plastic injection mold cavity components, which integrates manufacturing between two or more subcells. In one embodiment of the invention, a supercell system integrates two or more subcells, in which component workpieces and electrodes are machined. A supercell may include a computerized master control unit, configured to monitor and provide instructions for a master robot that delivers and retrieves workpieces and electrodes to two or more subcells. Thus, two or more subcells may be integrated by the master control unit, the master robot, a track or path that the master robot follows, identification indicia attached to workpieces and electrodes, a combination thereof or any other components of supercell that may suitably integrate two or more subcells.

Abstract: In wire electrical discharge machining, to make it possible to determine the state of rough machining or finishing in various stages, the machining speed, the working voltage, and execution portion information are stored as a set for each movement of a fixed distance in the process of execution of a plurality of times of machining in which rough machining through finish machining are consecutively executed, and are displayed in a two-dimensional graph.

Abstract: Automated wire connection is performed, and when the wire connection succeeds, the wire feed rate during the next connection is set to a value one stage faster. On the other hand, when connection fails the wire feed rate is set to a value one stage slower.

Abstract: Supply of a wire electrode, application of a detection voltage, and binarization and sampling of the detection voltage are started, so as to start advance of the wire electrode from the position A toward a workpiece. The position of the wire electrode when a sampling value (low level) is detected for the first time is designated as a position B, and the wire electrode is advanced from this position by a predetermined distance P1, and is stopped at a position C. Retreat of the wire electrode is started from the position C, and a position Q where the sampling value has changed from the high level to the low level is stored as a contact/noncontact boundary position. Further, retreat of the wire electrode is continued, and the wire electrode is stopped at a predetermined separating position D, to thereby finish the processing.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machining apparatus according to the present invention includes a simulator. The simulator calculates machining information relating to a machining shape at each simulated machining depth, when the electrode is moved to a workpiece at a predetermined depth, until the input machining depth is obtained, based on the input shape of the electrode, the shape of the workpiece, and the machining depth of the workpiece, and sets a shape obtained by subtracting the machining shape from the shape of the workpiece as a new shape of the workpiece at each simulated machining depth.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making an object. The invention includes the division of a shape of an object into a plurality of layers, and arranging the thickness of the layers based on the curvature of the object to be made. Further, curving edges of the object are replaced with linear sloping edges on the layers. The invention reduces the cost and improves the speed of rapid prototyping, especially with machining methods such as wire electrodischarge machining and laser machining.

Abstract: A predicted discharge gap g(n) and a predicted minimum gap gmax(n) between a workpiece (1) and a wire electrode (2) to prevent a short-circuit are added to the machining conditions, and read in doing a program check, and a predicted allowance for machining m(n) in the nth machining is calculated from the predicted discharge gap g(n), a correction amount y(n) of the wire electrode (2) for the workpiece (1) and a wire electrode diameter d, in which the predicted allowance for machining m (n) in the nth machining and the predicted minimum gap gmax (n) between the workpiece and the wire electrode to prevent short-circuiting in the nth machining are displayed on a display unit (17).

Abstract: This invention mainly develops the multiple discharge-servo curve control method and device of electrical discharge machine. It comprises a storage unit, a setting unit, a reading unit, a program unit and instruction-judging unit. Herein the operator can dominate the program execution by using program calling method, and calls a discharge-servo curve instruction to satisfy with the real machining requirement. In order to achieve one-step processing with selectable multiple discharge-servo curve, this will swaps the discharge-servo curve from a system calling to a program calling.