Adaptive (optimizing) System Patents (Class 700/173)
  • Patent number: 10014056
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for changing storage parameters. An integrated circuit (IC) memory element receives a command to change a value of a parameter associated with the IC memory element. A parameter includes a setting for one or more storage operations of an IC memory element. An IC memory element receives one or more data sets with a command. A data set includes an identifier associated with a parameter to be changed and a new value for the parameter. Each of one or more data sets is received at a same data rate as a command. An IC memory element writes, for each of one or more data sets, a new value for a parameter to a storage location associated with the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Lee, Yi-Chieh Chen, Anne Koh, Gulzar Kathawala, Mrinal Kochar
  • Patent number: 9946245
    Abstract: Technology for milling selected portions of a workpiece by a cutting tool of a numerical control machine is described. The described technology provides methods and apparatuses for milling areas of a part so that more aggressive machining parameters can be used in the toolpath, thereby resulting in reduced machining time and load. The technology creates a series of toolpath contours where arcs in the toolpath contours are non-concentric with arcs in other toolpath contours. The selected portions of the workpiece are milled by moving the cutting tool in accordance with the toolpath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Celeritive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan C. Sherbrooke, Glenn Coleman
  • Patent number: 9927803
    Abstract: A process for creating custom fixtures for parts that are to be CNC lathe machined is fully automatic and requires no human interaction. The customer's CAD file is computer analyzed to determine whether the part's dimensions fit within an available CNC lathe turning center for forming out of a cylindrical stock bar. The longitudinal axis is identified, and a set of tool paths is developed for cutting the part from two respective directions. A corresponding tool path is developed for CNC lathe cutting a bushing, preferably from the same bar stock, which generally represents the negative space around circular cross-sections of the part, in monotonically increasing diameters from the first end of the part. The bushing is then used to hold the part in the chuck during machining the second end of the part from the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Proto Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlos Carbonera, Phillip Jason Schmidt, Stefan Emilov Atev, Robert Bannick
  • Patent number: 9922144
    Abstract: Methods for CAD, simulation, and corresponding systems and computer-readable mediums. A method includes receiving inputs including one or more of robot information, operation information, position information, and constraint information. The method includes generating a list of candidate positions of a robot. The method includes, for each candidate position, determining a time value of the candidate position and when the time value of the candidate position does not meet a threshold cycle time value, removing the candidate position. The method includes, for each candidate position, determining an energy consumption value of the candidate position. The method includes, for each candidate position, determining one or more of a rating and a ranking for the candidate position based on the time value and the energy consumption value. The method includes determining the optimal position of the robot based on the ranking of each candidate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Industry Software Ltd.
    Inventors: Lisandro Embon, Moshe Hazan, Rahav Madvil
  • Patent number: 9892215
    Abstract: A method determines a feedrate of a tool machining a workpiece according to a path. The method partitions the path into a set of segments, such that within each segment a function of engagement of the tool and the workpiece is substantially constant. Next, the method determines a feedrate for each segment in the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Huseyin Erdim, Alan Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9878447
    Abstract: Data about a physical object in a real-world environment is automatically collected and labeled. A mechanical device is used to maneuver the object into different poses within a three-dimensional workspace in the real-world environment. While the object is in each different pose an image of the object is input from one or more sensors and data specifying the pose is input from the mechanical device. The image of the object input from each of the sensors for each different pose is labeled with the data specifying the pose and with information identifying the object. A database for the object that includes these labeled images can be generated. The labeled images can also be used to train a detector and classifier to detect and recognize the object when it is in an environment that is similar to the real-world environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan J. Thibodeau, Michael Revow, Mihai Jalobeanu, Grigor Shirakyan
  • Patent number: 9811078
    Abstract: A component mounting system derives work instruction information defining setup changeover work necessary to change an arrangement state of parts feeders from a current arrangement state to a first arrangement state for producing a first substrate type based on current feeder arrangement information corresponding to the current arrangement state and first feeder arrangement information corresponding to the first arrangement state. The work instruction information includes a plurality of pieces of unit work information. Each of the pieces of the unit work information includes kind information indicating a kind of execution operation and feeder state information indicating states before and after execution of work on the parts feeder targeted in the setup changeover work. The pieces of unit work information are displayed on the display screen so as to be arranged in work sequence to be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Sagara, Takuya Yamazaki, Hirokazu Takehara
  • Patent number: 9524583
    Abstract: It is provided a computer-implemented method for simulating the machining of a workpiece with a cutting tool having a cutting part and a non-cutting part. The method comprises providing a modeled volume representing the workpiece and a trajectory of the cutting tool; determining a colliding sweep of the cutting tool, wherein the colliding sweep represents the volume swept by the non-cutting front of the cutting tool when the cutting tool follows the trajectory; testing a collision with the workpiece according to the determining step. Such a method improves the simulation of the machining of a workpiece with a cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Dassault Systemes
    Inventors: Nicolas Montana, Marc Monteil, Romain Nosenzo, Andre Lieutier
  • Patent number: 9494930
    Abstract: To obtain an automatic programming apparatus, capable of generating a tool path for the chamfering process with a simple operation and capable of shortening the operation period and improving machining efficiency, the automatic programming apparatus includes a chamfering tool path generating unit and machining condition data. The chamfering tool path generating unit includes: a chamfered plane defining unit that generates shape data defining a chamfered plane obtained after the chamfering process is performed with respect to a shape of the chamfering target part; a reference point sequence generating unit that generates a reference point sequence used as a reference for generating the tool path data used for performing the chamfering process; and a tool reference position generating unit that, generates a reference position of a machining tool used when the machining tool passes while performing the chamfering process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yuka Mitani, Kenji Iriguchi, Akira Miyata, Tomonori Sato
  • Patent number: 9454439
    Abstract: A method and system for the backup and recovery of a converged infrastructure computer system are provided with the ability to determine if the backup meets requirements of a disaster recovery plan. The method and system provide backup and recovery of the data and applications including backup and recovery of the configuration and mapping information of the converged infrastructure computer system. The backups are periodically tested to determine if they meet predetermined metrics that are specified in the disaster recovery plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Unitrends, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto Gonzalez Martos, Vernon Keith Boland, Elizabeth Campbell
  • Patent number: 9301759
    Abstract: Devices and systems are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device by means of a robotic system. In one embodiment, systems and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and/or cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC
    Inventors: James T. Spivey, Mark S. Ortiz, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan
  • Patent number: 9188972
    Abstract: A numerical control apparatus includes a program analyzing unit 19 that extracts a command rotational speed of a rotary shaft from a machining program, an optimum rotational speed recording unit 16 that stores a plurality of optimum rotational speeds that are suitable to suppress chattering vibrations, and a command rotational speed substitutability determination unit 17. The command rotational speed substitutability determination unit obtains a substitute rotational speed range that represents a range of a substitutable optimum rotational speed based on the command rotational speed extracted from the machining program, and selects an optimum rotational speed from among the plurality of optimum rotational speeds stored in the optimum rotational speed recording unit, which falls within the substitute rotational speed range, as a command rotational speed to be actually used in processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: OKUMA Corporation
    Inventor: Syunji Kido
  • Patent number: 9117300
    Abstract: It is provided a computer-implemented method for designing a modeled volume. The method comprises providing a sculpting process on the modeled volume, initial lines, and an initial set of dexels that represents the modeled volume after going through the sculpting process and that is based on the initial lines; then providing new lines by refining the initial lines; and determining a new set of dexels that represents the modeled volume after going through the sculpting process and that is based on the new lines, wherein determining the new set of dexels comprises determining sets of at least one segment representing the intersection between each new line and the modeled volume before going through the sculpting process and then applying the sculpting process on the determined sets of at least one segment. The method improves designing a modeled volume represented by a set of dexels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Dassault Systems
    Inventors: Nicolas Montana, Marc Monteil, Romain Nosenzo, Andre Lieutier
  • Patent number: 9098081
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for acquiring the optimized parameters of a machining operation in the application of COM methodology, comprising: providing a plurality of readings indicative of the specific cutting energy (Kc) during an equal plurality of tests carried out with an imposed value, that is different from one test to another by at least one variable representative of the cutting operations, one of said variables being the cutting speed (Vc) and another being the advance rate (f); next determining a range of values of each of said variables including the optimal value for said variable obtained by means of processing the results for carrying out the machining operation; characterized in that a specific program (10a) of the digital control (7) is used for obtaining a continuous variation of the values of the variable during a single machining pass for a test, and in that the data read are formed during said single pass by the different values of the torque current (Iq) of the motor of the machin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: ARTS
    Inventor: Guillaume Fromentin
  • Publication number: 20150127139
    Abstract: A method for machining a workpiece using a cutting tool attached to a spindle. The method comprises: (a) defining an initial tool path of the cutting tool relative to a workpiece using part definition data; (b) causing the cutting tool to cut along the defined initial tool path relative to the workpiece; (c) receiving sensor data representing machining process conditions during said cutting along the defined initial tool path; (d) processing the sensor data to determine a value of a machining process force parameter; and (e) causing the cutting tool to cut along a modified tool path relative to the workpiece such that the radial cutting depth changes and values of the machining process force parameter does not exceed a machining process force constraint. Operations (b) through (e) are performed by a computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jared L. Bolin, Samuel J. Easley, Liangji Xu
  • Publication number: 20150127138
    Abstract: A tool may be configured at least with a fastener that can be accessed with a shaped bit. A controller portion of the tool can be arranged to predict bit deflection that enables a tool configuration to be adapted in response to actual bit deflection to conform to the predicted bit deflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Shawn A. Ruden, Kevin J. Spiczka, Brad E. Rowell
  • Patent number: 9011678
    Abstract: The present invention provides a blood purification apparatus and a blood purification circuit, by which a circuit can be shared by different modes for performing respective continuous blood purification methods, a structure of the apparatus performing the continuous blood purification methods can be simplified, and CHF, CHD, CHDF, and ECUM can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: JMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junya Fujii, Shigeki Kawarabata
  • Patent number: 9008821
    Abstract: A servo control system capable of using an angle-based synchronization learning control, even when a reference position is not given, while maintaining the advantage of the angle-based synchronization method. The servo control system has X-, y- and z-axes servo controllers, each configured to control x-, y- and z-axes servomotors, respectively. Each of x- and y-axes servo controllers has a reference signal generating part configured to generate a reference signal which monotonically increases or varies in one direction, based on the position command of each axis transmitted from a higher-level controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Okita, Yukio Toyozawa, Kazuomi Maeda, Naoto Sonoda
  • Patent number: 9002502
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and the like that are capable of calculating a correction value for a rotational axis and make it possible to correct an error in position or position and posture of a tool, which results from a geometric error, correct an error in posture of the tool, and also enhance the accuracy in machining by preventing a translational axis from operating in an infinitesimal manner due to a correction command. In a machine tool having two or more translational axes and one or more rotational axes, a correction value for each of the translational axes is calculated using a command position of each of the rotational axes, a coordinate value of a correction reference point as one point designated in advance in a command position space of each of the translational axes, and a geometric parameter representing the geometrical error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Matsushita
  • Publication number: 20150094846
    Abstract: A control device for a machine, with at least one axis, is configured to accept first parameters and to render a first general technological problem as a first specific technological problem. The control device is configured to determine once in advance, for a sequence of values of a position or a temporal derivation of the position of the axis of the machine, a number of variables assigned to the respective value, to solve the first specific technological problem in an optimum way. The control device is configured to store the assigned variables in a memory and, after the storage of the assigned variables, is configured to accept a first execution command. Based upon the first execution command, it is configured to output the sequence of values to the axis and during output, is configured to activate the machine in accordance with the number of variables assigned to the respective value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Carsten HAMM, Hartmut LINKE, Thomas PUCHTLER, Gerald REICHL, Elmar SCHÄFERS, Matthias TEUCHERT
  • Patent number: 8992286
    Abstract: A method of controlling a polishing operation includes measuring a plurality of spectra at a plurality of different positions on a substrate to provide a plurality of measured spectra. For each measured spectrum of the plurality of measured spectra, a characterizing value is generated based on the measured spectrum. For each characterizing value, a goodness of fit of the measured spectrum to another spectrum used in generating the characterizing value is determined. A wafer-level characterizing value map is generated by applying a regression to the plurality of characterizing values with the plurality of goodnesses of fit used as weighting factors in the regression. A polishing endpoint or a polishing parameter of the polishing apparatus is adjusted based on the wafer-level characterizing map, and the substrate or a subsequent substrate is polished in the polishing apparatus with the adjusted polishing endpoint or polishing parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Cherian, Jeffrey Drue David, Boguslaw A. Swedek, Dominic J. Benvegnu, Jun Qian, Thomas H. Osterheld
  • Patent number: 8989877
    Abstract: A system for controlling a machine includes a first model, a second model, a controller, and a comparator. During a first cycle, the first model generates a response signal to the controller while the second model generates a predicted parameter signal. During the first cycle, the comparator transmits a feedback signal to the second model if a predetermined threshold is not met. A method for controlling a machine includes transmitting a response signal from a first model to a controller, generating a control signal to the machine, and generating a predicted parameter value in a second model. The method further includes transmitting a feedback signal to the second model if a predetermined threshold is not met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Hartmut Scholte-Wassink
  • Patent number: 8977379
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of polishing includes polishing a substrate, and receiving an identification of a selected spectral feature and a characteristic of the selected spectral feature to monitor during polishing. The method includes measuring a sequence of spectra of light reflected from the substrate while the substrate is being polished, where at least some of the spectra of the sequence differ due to material being removed during the polishing. The method of polishing includes determining a value of a characteristic of the selected spectral feature for each of the spectra in the sequence of spectra to generate a sequence of values for the characteristic, fitting a function to the sequence of values, and determining either a polishing endpoint or an adjustment for a polishing rate based on the function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Drue David, Harry Q. Lee, Dominic J. Benvegnu, Boguslaw A. Swedek
  • Patent number: 8977382
    Abstract: Methods and devices for milling a channel-shaped cavity by a five-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machine by selecting a workpiece to be machined, determining cutting tool flow along the channel-shaped cavity, determining cutting tool in-depth penetration, determining a trochoid path, and determining auxiliary movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: D.P. Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Giuliano Sona
  • Patent number: 8954185
    Abstract: A cut optimization system controls chatter in a machine tool during a cutting operation. A microphone is configured to capture acoustic noise emitted by the machine tool during the cutting operation and to generate an AC signal corresponding to the captured acoustic noise. A filter is configured to attenuate frequencies of the AC signal outside of a frequency band and a rectifier is configured to rectify the filtered AC signal into a DC component. A controller is configured to compare the DC component with a threshold value and, if the DC component is greater than the threshold, cyclically vary the rotational speed of a spindle in the machine tool from a commanded speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Haas Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Lammering, Robert Weston, Kurt P. Zierhut, Wayne Reilly
  • Patent number: 8954180
    Abstract: A modular manufacturing system and methods of using are provided. The modular manufacturing system includes a plurality of manufacturing heads that perform different manufacturing processes. These heads may include multi-axial machining heads, fiber placement heads including fiber tow and fiber tape lay-up heads. The heads are fixably attachable to a single positioning system that can manipulate the various heads along a plurality of different degrees of freedom relative to a tool or material blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ingersoll Machine Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Tino Oldani
  • Patent number: 8924003
    Abstract: In a thermal displacement compensation method for a machine tool, in which a feed shaft thermal displacement amount is obtained and an amount which cancels the obtained feed shaft thermal displacement amount is added as a thermal displacement compensation amount to a position command for a feed axis, a position where a signal is first output by a position sensor for detecting the position of a movable part of the machine tool is first stored as an initial position. Then, the position where the signal is output by the position sensor is detected, and the thermal displacement compensation amount is modified according to a compensation error, which is the difference between the detected position (actual position) and the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Susumu Maekawa, Takahiro Endou
  • Publication number: 20140379117
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a shaft load measuring unit measures a load of the main shaft motor. When a measured load of the main shaft motor exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that a tool is brought into contact with a work. Detection and correction of thermal displacement of the main shaft are performed by comparing a reference time and a measured time for the tool to reach the work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Takuma NISHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20140371900
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for, when a surface of a workpiece is preheated with a laser beam during milling, calculating an optimum preheating temperature according to a type of the workpiece and controlling a surface preheating temperature. The method includes: a processing condition inputting step; a matching step; a loading step; a preheating step; a measuring step; a comparing step; an ending step; a lower limit determining step; an output increasing step; and an output decreasing step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Choon-Man Lee, Dong-Hyeon Kim
  • Patent number: 8886348
    Abstract: A method of fabrication for a component to be installed in a facility, the facility being represented by an electronic design model, the method including extracting, at a computing device and from the model, details of the component and controlling a plurality of stations with the computing device to fabricate and track the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Kevin Bollendorf
  • Patent number: 8886494
    Abstract: A method of optimizing measurement paths analyzes one or more measurement points for each of the measurement elements of a product and generates relation arrays, each of the relation arrays storing the name and the one or more measurement points of one measurement element. The method selects a measurement point which is the nearest to the origin of an coordinate system of the product, computes distances between the measurement points from the selected measurement point using the relation arrays, and orders the measurement points according to the computed distances to generate a first ordered array. The method generates an optimal measurement path according to the first ordered array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Kuang Chang, Xin-Yuan Wu, Gen Yang
  • Patent number: 8880212
    Abstract: Technology for milling selected portions of a workpiece by a cutting tool of a numerical control machine is described. The described technology can receive a main toolpath, the main toolpath comprising one or more cuts; compute one or more transition toolpaths, each transition toolpath defining a transition area intersecting one or more of the cuts of the main toolpath; trim one or more cuts of the main toolpath near two or more points of intersection between the main toolpath and the transition toolpaths; connect the trimmed portions of the main toolpath with one or more connecting moves such that each connecting move is mostly inside one or more of the transition areas; and mill the selected portions of the workpiece by moving the cutting tool in accordance with the cuts, transition toolpaths, trimmed cuts, and connecting moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Celeritive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Coleman, Evan C. Sherbrooke
  • Patent number: 8843230
    Abstract: A machining time predicting apparatus of a numerically controlled machine tool divides a tool path into a plurality of segments, obtains a speed in a tangential direction of each of the divided segments, calculates a time taken for the tool to move on each segment, and obtains the total of the calculated times taken for the tool to move on each segment as a tool moving time, in order to calculate a time (tool moving time) taken for the tool to move on the designated tool path according to an NC command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventors: Tohru Mizuno, Takuji Chiba
  • Publication number: 20140257551
    Abstract: In some examples, an adaptive machining system may include a model comparison unit, a compromise shape determination unit, and a program modification unit. The model comparison unit can be configured to compare electronic measured dimensional surface data of a component with an electronic surface model of the component. The compromise shape determination unit can be configured to determine a compromise shape for the component based on the comparison. The program modification unit can be configured to modify a machine tool program code based on the compromise shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Allen Junod, Jeffrey F. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 8808059
    Abstract: An optical model for a layer stack has a plurality of input parameters, the plurality of input parameters defining a parameter space. A plurality of model spectra are generated by calculating a model spectrum using the optical model for each of a first plurality of different points in the parameter space. A test spectrum of a test substrate is measured. For each model spectrum of the plurality of model spectra, the test spectrum is compared to the model spectrum to determine a difference value, thereby generating a plurality of difference values. A plurality of minima in the plurality of difference values are determined. Reference spectra can be generated clustered around points in the parameter space corresponding to a local minimum from the plurality of minima, or the local minimum can be used as a seed value in fitting the optical model to a measured spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Drue David
  • Patent number: 8801345
    Abstract: A tool main spindle, whose cutting angle can be changed, is translated by an X-axis moving mechanism portion on an X-axis provided in a plane perpendicular to an axis of a work; and is translated on a Y-axis by a Y-axis moving mechanism portion. Cutting of the work is performed by setting the cutting angle of the tool main spindle to an angle of the cutting tool at which the work has large dynamic rigidity, and causing an axis of a cutting tool to cross the work axis, and cutting the work with the cutting tool toward the axis of the work by cooperatively operating the X-axis moving mechanism portion and the Y-axis moving mechanism portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Yoshino
  • Patent number: 8786243
    Abstract: In a numerically controlled machine tool which has a linear feed axis and a rotational feed axis and in which a main spindle and a table are movable relative to each other, a position error and an attitude error produced by an operation of a linear feed axis and a rotational feed axis are measured at a plurality of measurement points set within a movable range of the linear feed axis and the rotational feed axis, and the position error and the attitude error thus measured are stored as an error map in correspondence to a position of the linear feed axis and a rotation angle of the rotational feed axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Mori, Tadashi Kasahara, Tadahiro Nishiguchi
  • Patent number: 8755927
    Abstract: A substrate having a plurality of zones is polished and spectra are measured. For each zone, a first linear function fits a sequence of index values associated with reference spectra that best match the measured spectra. A projected time at which a reference zone will reach the target index value is determined based on the first linear function, and for at least one adjustable zone, a polishing parameter adjustment is calculated such that the adjustable zone has closer to the target index at the projected time than without such adjustment. The adjustment is calculated based on a feedback error calculated for a previous substrate. The feedback error for a subsequent substrate is calculated based on a second linear function that fits a sequence of index values associated with reference spectra that best match spectra measured after the polishing parameter is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Qian, Charles C. Garretson, Sivakumar Dhandapani, Jeffrey Drue David, Harry Q. Lee
  • Patent number: 8755928
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating reference spectra includes polishing a plurality of set-up substrates, the plurality of set-up substrates comprising at least three set-up substrates, measuring a sequence of spectra from each of the plurality of set-up substrates during polishing with an in-situ optical monitoring system to provide a plurality of sequences of spectra, generating a plurality of sequences of potential reference spectra from the plurality of sequences of spectra, determining which sequence of potential reference spectra of the plurality of sequences provides a best match to remaining sequences of the plurality of sequences, and storing the sequence of potential reference spectra determined to provide the best match as reference spectra, and selecting and storing the sequence of potential reference spectra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimin Zhang, Harry Q. Lee, Zhihong Wang, Jeffrey Drue David, Boguslaw A. Swedek, Dominic J. Benvegnu
  • Patent number: 8733473
    Abstract: A method for sequencing drill holes for a mobile drill rig is disclosed. The method may include receiving a hole pattern having a plurality of planned holes and generating at least a first group of parallel pathways and a second group of parallel pathways between the plurality of holes of the hole pattern. The first group of pathways may be angled relative to the second group of pathways. The method may also include selecting between the first group of pathways and the second group of pathways based on which group of pathways includes fewer total pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Nadeau, Daniel Francis Stanek
  • Publication number: 20140121819
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for designing and manufacturing flank millable components. In one embodiment, devices, systems, and methods for designing a flank millable component are provided, in which a user is notified when a component geometry option is selected that will result in the component not being flank millable. In another embodiment, the user is prevented from selecting a geometry option that would result in the component not being flank millable. In yet another embodiment, devices, systems, and methods are provided for manufacturing a component with a flank milling process, in which optimized machine instructions are determined that minimize milling machine motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Concepts ETI, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad W. Amidon, Peter Klein, Alexander Plomp
  • Publication number: 20140114463
    Abstract: A method determines trajectories of redundant actuators of a machine including a first actuator and a second actuator. The method determines a first trajectory of the first actuator tracking a reference trajectory with an error tolerance, wherein the error tolerance is a function of a constraint of the second actuator, and determines a second trajectory of the second actuator based on a difference between the reference trajectory and the first trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay Shilpiekandula, Matthew Brand, Manohar Srikanth, Scott A. Bortoff
  • Patent number: 8706287
    Abstract: The invention related to a control system for a mill, particularly a roller grinding mill, comprising a mill control device (11), which is designed to control at least one mill characteristic on the basis of an associated target variable, and a fuzzy-control device (13), which is connected to the mill control device (11) and designed to adjust the target variable of the at least one mill characteristic to be controlled when at least one operating parameter of the mill deviates from a predefined normal range as a function of fuzzy rules that are based on said at least one operating parameter of the mill until the at least one operating parameter of the mill has reached the predefined normal range again. A solution is to be provided, which enables automated optimized mill operation even with changing operating conditions, particularly a mill operation that prevents the “mill rumbling”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Steag Energy Services GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Gocht, Werner Bischoff, Thomas Krause, Alfred Gwosdz
  • Patent number: 8700369
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating error in a multi-axis controlled machine is applicable to any type of machine configuration in order to estimate and confirm in advance the final position and the posture of the machine, which are produced when geometric errors of the machine are synthesized. The method includes defining the structure of the multi-axis controlled machine subjected to error estimation; and defining parameters, which represent behaviors of drive axes having geometric error and relationships between the drive axes according to the defined structure of the multi-axis controlled machine, adding the defined parameters by applying the parameters to a generalized error synthesis model, and generating an error synthesis model of the multi-axis controlled machine by applying a result of parametric modeling in response to a result of the adding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kyungpook National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Seung-Han Yang, Dong-Mok Lee, Sung-Hwan Kweon
  • Patent number: 8688257
    Abstract: A programming apparatus has a parameter storage section for storing parameters related to the operation control of an operating mechanism of an NC machine tool, a CL data storage section for storing CL data including data relating to a moving position of a tool and machining conditions, an NC program generating section for referring to the parameters in the parameter storage section, and generating an NC program form the CL data in the CL data storage section, and NC program storage section for storing the generated NC program. The NC program generating section checks whether the machining condition data included in the CL data is suitable by referring to the parameters, and, when it is not suitable, corrects the machining condition data using the parameters and then generates an NC program based on the CL data in which the corrected machining condition data is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Surya Kommareddy, Bingyan Zhao
  • Patent number: 8670855
    Abstract: A method is used for controlling a paced production line for processing airplane structural components, wherein the production line comprises at least one workstation having at least one processing machine. It is provided that the processing sequence in the workstation is determined for a production step by determining the expected or actual occupation of the working area by structural component(s) or structural component section(s) for the production step, and, on the basis of the occupation, all of the operations to be performed in this workstation in this production step are determined, and the processing sequence of these operations is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Broetje Automation GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Eickhorst
  • Patent number: 8662799
    Abstract: A tapping machine (1) executes a tapping operation by operating a spindle motor (21) and a feed axis motor (31) in synchronization, and includes a spindle reversal detector unit (34) for detecting the reversed operation of the spindle during the tapping operation, and a reverse correction amount production unit (35) for producing a reverse correction amount for improving follow-up performance of reversed operation of the feed axis at the time when the reversed operation of the spindle is detected by the spindle reversal detector unit (34). When the reversed operation is detected by the spindle reversal detector unit, the reverse correction amount produced by the reverse correction amount production unit (35) is added to the speed instruction on a speed control loop of the feed axis control unit (30) or to an integrator (41) of the speed control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Takayama, Tadashi Okita
  • Patent number: 8666533
    Abstract: A system, method, machine-readable medium for accurate simulation of automated machinery. A method includes loading a machine operating model. The method also includes receiving machine-specific data from an automated machinery controller. The method also includes simulating a machine operation using the machine-specific data and the machine operating model to produce optimized motion data. The method includes transmitting the optimized data to the automated machinery controller by the simulation data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.
    Inventors: Ulrich Wolfgang Lorenz, Peter Heinrich Armbrust
  • Patent number: 8660684
    Abstract: A method of determining a desired power level (P) as a function of relative tool to workpiece position, thereby enabling adaptive control advantages that were previously inaccessible for machining, such as bevel gear grinding, from solid applications. Preferably, set point power is expressed as a function of specific power (P?, P?) and roll position (Q) for a generated gear or as a function of specific power and plunge position for a non-generated (i.e. Formate) gear. Specific power is defined and preferably remains as defined during machining even as process conditions vary during machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Gleason Works
    Inventors: Eric G. Mundt, Richard F. Culbert, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8655628
    Abstract: A structural optimization engine generates a response profile based on a vibrational analysis of a three-dimensional (3D) structure. The structural optimization engine determines whether the 3D structure complies with one or more design goals set for the 3D structure based on the response profile. When the 3D structure does not comply with the design goals, the structural optimization engine retrieves dependency data from a structure database. The dependency data indicates various dependencies between response characteristics included in the response profile and specific regions of the 3D model. Based on the dependency data, the structural optimization engine determines structural modifications that can be made to the 3D structure to bring the 3D structure into compliance with the design goals. A multi-axis computer-aided manufacturing unit then makes the structural modifications to the 3D structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Vibration Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Cone