Performance Monitoring Patents (Class 700/174)
  • Publication number: 20150066194
    Abstract: In a method for optimizing a machining process of a product, a position deviation between a number of blades and a number of corresponding blade holes is corrected, and each blade is installed in the corresponding blade hole. One serial number is assigned to each blade and the corresponding blade hole. A principal axis of a computer numerical control (CNC) tool is controlled to return a currently used blade to the corresponding blade hole and equip another blade onto the CNC tool for a next step of the product machining process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIH-KUANG CHANG, XIN-YUAN WU
  • Publication number: 20150057788
    Abstract: A server computer system creates a reference fingerprint for a first tool running a recipe. The server computer system uses reference data that pertains to the first tool performing within parameters to create the reference fingerprint. The reference fingerprint includes a target baseline and allowable ranges based on the target baseline. The server computer system determines whether sample data that is associated with a second tool running the recipe is performing within the parameters based on a comparison of the sample data to the reference fingerprint. The second tool can be the first tool or another tool of a same type as the first tool. The server computer system provides a classification of the second tool to at least one of a system or a user based on the comparison of the sample data to the reference fingerprint. The classification indicates whether the second tool is performing within the parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Dermot Cantwell, Thorsten Kril, Aleksey Yanovich
  • Patent number: 8965557
    Abstract: Method for determining movement data representing the movement of a machining tool of an optical lens 3D machining device for machining a surface of an optical lens, wherein the method comprises: a machining tool data providing stage, a surface data providing stage, a machining rule providing stage, a 3D surface determining stage in which the 3D surface corresponding to the surface consisting of all the positions of the reference point of the machining tool that allow the profile of the cutting edge of the machining tool to tangent the derivable surface of the optical lens is determined, a movement data determining stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventor: Alexandre Gourraud
  • Patent number: 8954186
    Abstract: A method of configuring a polishing monitoring system includes receiving user input selecting a plurality of libraries, each library of the plurality of libraries comprising a plurality of reference spectra for use in matching to measured spectra during polishing, each reference spectrum of the plurality of reference spectra having an associated index value, for a first zone of a substrate, receiving user input selecting a first subset of the plurality of libraries, and for a second zone of the substrate, receiving user input selecting a second subset of the plurality of libraries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Qian, Boguslaw A. Swedek, Harry Q. Lee, Jeffrey Drue David, Sivakumar Dhandapani, Thomas H. Osterheld
  • Patent number: 8942842
    Abstract: A method of generating a library of reference spectra includes storing an optical model for a layer stack having at a plurality of layers, receiving user input identifying a set of one or more refractive index functions and a set of one or more extinction coefficient functions a first layer from the plurality of layers, wherein the set of one or more refractive index functions includes a plurality of different refractive index functions or the set of one or more extinction coefficient functions includes a plurality of different extinction coefficient functions, and for each combination of a refractive index function from the set of refractive index functions and an extinction coefficient function from the set of extinction coefficient functions, calculating a reference spectrum using the optical model based on the refractive index function, the extinction coefficient function and a first thickness of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Drue David, Dominic J. Benvegnu, Xiaoyuan Hu
  • Patent number: 8938316
    Abstract: In connection with a machining program used in machining a workpiece by means of a machine tool controlled by a numerical controller, interpolation data, a command position point sequence, and a servo position point sequence for each processing period are determined by simulation by designating speed data for giving a machining speed and precision data for giving a machining precision. A predicted machining time for workpiece machining is determined based on the determined interpolation data, and a predicted machining error for workpiece machining is determined based on the determined command and servo position point sequences. Further, the precision data and the speed data are determined for the shortest predicted machining time within a preset machining error tolerance, based on a plurality of predicted machining times and a plurality of predicted machining errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Otsuki, Osamu Hanaoka
  • Patent number: 8935000
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool monitoring device. It is proposed that the machine tool monitoring device comprises at least one signal unit for an ultra wide band operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Krapf, Heiko Braun, Michael Mahler, Alexander Werner Hees
  • 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: 20140379118
    Abstract: A numerical control unit of a machine tool includes, a unit configured to analyze each function from a machining program, and, a unit configured to automatically switch a screen to the screen for each function stored in advance in accordance with change of the function of the machining program being executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Shinichirou ITAKURA
  • Patent number: 8825192
    Abstract: Generating a machine tool program for performing coordinate measurements. The machine tool program may be communicated to a machine tool controller such that the machine tool controller is operable to execute the machine tool program. The machine tool program may be generated from a dimensional metrology program. As part of generating the machine tool program, a path definition and a machine definition may be combined. Measurement data resulting from an execution of the machine tool program may be received by a data server and analyzed using dimensional metrology analysis. Indicators may be provided within the machine tool program to be used during dimensional metrology analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hexagon Metrology AB
    Inventors: Anthony J. Griggs, Charles Burbank, William Wilcox, Kenneth Woodbine
  • Patent number: 8818548
    Abstract: In a brush cutter (100), when it is determined based on acceleration information including frequency components, supplied from an acceleration sensor (24) included in the brush cutter (100) that the acceleration shows a peak in a range of frequencies lower than 100 Hz, the flow moves to step S5 to amplify the acceleration peak. In next step S6, the acceleration peak is compared with a threshold. When the result of comparison shows that the acceleration peak is higher than the threshold, the flow moves to step S7 to produce a safety signal. The safety signal is output from the controller (26) to a high voltage generation circuit (30) to stop generation of a high voltage in the high voltage generating circuit (30). In this manner, the acceleration sensor (24) is used to detect any unexpected, sudden danger, while diminishing influence of the acceleration caused by vibration inherent to the own nature of the work apparatus, its intended regular operation and its posture change in regular operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Yamabiko Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Aoki, Tadashi Ishimura
  • 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: 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: 8788083
    Abstract: A method of machining a work part in a numerically-controlled machining process with a selected tool, includes steps of inspecting actual geometric parameters of the selected tool and predicting cutting forces and this tool deflections based on given tool/part engagement conditions and pre-measured static stiffness of the selected tool, then modifying a tool path of the numerically-controlled machining process to compensate for the predicted tool deflections, and finally machining the work part to a desired profile by use of the selected tool to follow the modified tool path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Fuat Atabey
  • Patent number: 8776342
    Abstract: A module for on-line vibration detection and adjustment and machining center using the same are provided in the present invention, wherein the module is disposed at the machining center having an interface of feedrate override and an interface of spindle override and the inverter. The module comprises at least one vibration sensor for detecting the vibrating status of the machining center, thereby generating corresponding at least one sensing signal and a processor for processing the at least one sensing signal so as to generate a spindle adjusting signal for the interface of spindle override and the inverter and a feedrate adjusting signal for the interface of the federate override. The computer numerical controller receives the spindle adjusting signal and the feedrate adjusting signal from the interface of the spindle override and federate override respectively and accordingly controls the feedrate and spindle rate of the machining center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Tzu-Hsin Kuo, Chun-Hung Huang
  • Publication number: 20140180466
    Abstract: Devices, which correspond to I/O control signals that respectively control peripheral devices (114), and power consumptions of the peripheral devices are previously registered as parameters (103), and a state monitoring section (110) monitors whether I/O control signals are in on-state, and calculates an operating time, and a power amount calculating unit (111) calculates a power consumption amount of the peripheral device concerned on the basis of the operating time and the power consumption. Furthermore, the state monitoring section (110) has a function of, after machining is completed, forcibly stopping a peripheral device if there is a peripheral device that does not stop even after a predetermined time or after exceeding a predetermined power consumption amount, so that unnecessary power consumptions can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Kato, Masakazu Sagasaki
  • Patent number: 8761947
    Abstract: A system and method reduce lateral movement of a car in an elevator system by detecting vibration of the car as a vibration signal. A damping coefficient for a feedback signal is determined according to the vibration signal and a state of the elevator system. A semi-active actuator is arranged between the car and a roller guide assembly. The semi-active actuator includes a rheological fluid, and flow characteristics of the rheological fluid are actuated according to the feedback signal to reduce the lateral movement of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Yebin Wang
  • Patent number: 8761920
    Abstract: A method for properly locating a flexible fixture on a CNC machine comprises probing a plurality of locators on a flexible fixture to determine a locator position on a coordinate system for the CNC machine. The position for each of the plurality of locators is analyzed to determine if all of the plurality of locators are within a predetermined offset limit from a nominal position. A controller is programmed with an offset compensation amount based upon the probed position for each locator when each of the plurality of locators is within the predetermined offset limit. The locator positions are adjusted if one of the probed locations is not within the predetermined offset limit. The CNC probing programs are generated by a computer language to accommodate various fixture configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jie Gu, Paula J. Deeds, Sheri K. Kurgin, John S. Agapiou, Michael J. Owen
  • Publication number: 20140156056
    Abstract: Provided is a machine tool control device which reduces a processing burden of calculating a thermal displacement amount, avoids decrease in processing speed, and increases accuracy of machining a workpiece. A machine tool control device (100) includes a sequential analysis control unit (110), an advance analysis control unit (120), a correction value calculation unit (130), a change amount calculation unit (140), and a mode switching unit (150), and operates a machine tool (M) by executing a machining program that is corrected on the basis of a thermal displacement amount occurring on components constituting the machine tool (M) to enable highly accurate machining of a workpiece (W).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicants: CITIZEN MACHINERY MIYANO CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kyota Kotake
  • Patent number: 8740522
    Abstract: A shaping machine system including a shaping device and a computer is provided. The shaping device includes at least one jig mount body configured for mounting a jig; a shaping tool support body configured for supporting a shaping tool; a first drive device configured for rotating the shaping tool; and a second drive device configured for driving the shaping tool support body or the at least one jig mount body or changing a posture of the shaping tool relative to the workpiece. The computer is configured for controlling the first and second drive devices according to predetermined shaping data. The computer includes a jig position measuring unit configured for measuring a position of the jig; a position error detecting unit configured for detecting a position error of the jig, and a shaping data correcting unit configured for correcting the predetermined shaping data according to a jig position error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Roland DG Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Suyama, Ryo Sato, Yoshimitsu Asahina, Makoto Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8712572
    Abstract: A challenge to be met by the invention is to provide an electronic component mounting machine that makes up an electronic component mounting line and that standardizes an operation input method, to thus enable lessening of work load on an operator during performance of operation input action, and an operation instruction method for use with the electronic component mounting machine. In electronic component mounting machines that make it possible for a single machine to perform a plurality of types of works by replacement of a work head to be built into a common platform according to a type of work, a production start button to a model change button are provided as common individual input parts in a basic operation command input part of a display panel of an operation unit regardless of a work type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Higashi, Masahiro Kihara, Kazuo Okamoto, Hidehiko Watanabe, Kenichi Kaida, Hideki Sumi, Michiaki Mawatari
  • Patent number: 8712575
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for modulating the hydrostatic pressure in a double side wafer grinder having a pair of grinding wheels. The systems and methods use a processor to measure the amount of electrical current drawn by the grinding wheels. Pattern detection software is used to predict a grinding stage based on the measured electrical current. The hydrostatic pressure is changed by flow control valves at each stage to change the clamping pressure applied to the wafer and to thereby improve nanotopology in the processed wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Sumeet S. Bhagavat, Roland R. Vandamme, Tomomi Komura
  • Patent number: 8712576
    Abstract: A controller for a machine tool and a five axis simultaneous control machine tool which can improve machining accuracy in controlling a pivoting axis of the machine tool. The controller including an allowable position error setting member setting an allowable position error between a commanded machining position and an actual machining position; a velocity control parameter deciding member deciding a velocity control parameter of the pivoting axes of the A-axis and the B-axis in accordance with the allowable position error being set and a distance of said actual machining position from the pivoting axes; and a controlling member controlling a velocity of the pivoting axes based on the velocity control parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Yamada
  • Patent number: 8700201
    Abstract: A vibration suppressing device includes a memory unit storing a stable rotation speed calculated by an arithmetical unit in association with a rotation speed range that includes the stable rotation speed, in which, when a command rotation speed that is a rotation speed of a rotary shaft is inputted in starting machining operation by rotation of the rotary shaft and, the arithmetical unit determines whether the command rotation speed is included in the rotation speed range or not, reads out the stable rotation speed when the command rotation speed is included in the rotation speed range and outputs the stable rotation speed to an NC device instead of the command rotation speed, and starts the machining operation at the stable rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yoshino, Hiroshi Inagaki, Tomoharu Ando, Hiroshi Ueno, Akihide Hamaguchi, Hajimu Ishii
  • Patent number: 8694133
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a machining operation wherein a tool performs a machining operation on a workpiece. The method includes providing a tool holder for holding a tool, a workpiece holder for holding a work piece, and a linear slide for linearly moving a linearly moving part that is either the tool or the workpiece. The step of selecting appropriate machining parameters includes the step of selecting an appropriate feed rate for the linear slide move the linear moving part and appropriate rotational speed is selected for the rotator to rotate the rotating part. The set of appropriate machining parameters are incorporated into the digital controller. The digital controller is then used to control the operation of a linear slide, rotator and modulator to execute the machining of the workpiece by the tool in accordance with a selected appropriate set of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: M4 Sciences, LLC
    Inventors: James B. Mann, Christopher J. Saldana, Wilfredo Moscoso
  • Patent number: 8655470
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for evaluating quality control data of a product manufactured by a partially automated manufacturing process. In the method, a database is generated which includes design specifications for the product. Manufacturing data generated from inspection of the product at each stage of the partially automated process is then received. The manufacturing data is then compared with the design specifications to determine whether the manufacturing data meets the design specifications. In one embodiment, the product is an induction coil used in electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas G. Lang, Sumit Singhal
  • Publication number: 20140039666
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a torque variation of a servomotor, which is measured in a numerical control apparatus of an existing numerical control machine tool, is observed, and a backlash is detected by calculating a transfer distance of an output shaft of the servomotor at a torque peak, without adding additional positioning detection equipment, thereby detecting an accurate backlash amount without adding additional equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: DOOSAN INFRACORE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ki Hong Kim
  • Patent number: 8639378
    Abstract: A device safety apparatus, in particular a hand-held device safety apparatus, having an antenna unit having at least one antenna element, which is provided for the purpose of transmitting and/or receiving a safety signal. The antenna unit has at least one additional component, which in conjunction with the antenna element is provided to specify a safety zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Krapf, Heiko Braun, Wolfgang Baierl, Michael Mahler, Alexander Werner Hees
  • Patent number: 8639377
    Abstract: Methods of determining thickness and phase of a GST layer on a semiconductor substrate are described using intensity spectra within the infra-red range. In particular, techniques for using certain transmission at certain frequencies are disclosed for faster thickness and phase determination in an in-line or standalone metrology/monitoring system for CMP processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kun Xu, Feng Q Liu, Yuchun Wang, Abraham Ravid, Wen-Chiang Tu
  • Publication number: 20140025192
    Abstract: In order to easily verify an operation of the machine tool, a machining support apparatus includes a machining monitoring unit 112, a simulation processing unit 113, and a display unit 150. The machining monitoring unit 112, upon receiving a notification indicating detection of a simulation start code programmed in a machining program from a machine tool controller controlling a machine tool via a communication device 130, renders the machine tool controller to stop the machine tool. The simulation processing unit 113 simulates instructions from the simulation start code to a simulation end code in the machining program, while the machine tool is stopped. And the display unit 150 displays a simulation performed in the simulation processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Nobuhisa SEYA, Daisuke IGARASHI, Yohei MAEKAWA, Katsuto NUMAYAMA
  • Patent number: 8630731
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of calibrating drill depth of an ophthalmic processing device. A number of drill cycles are selected for drilling an expected number of holes in a lens blank. The selected number of drill cycles is performed. The drill depth of each consecutive drill cycle varies incrementally. An actual number of locations the drill bit contacted the lens blank during the drill cycles is compared to the expected number of holes. The drill depth is adjusted depending on the compared values. A method of calibrating drill hole size is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: National Optronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt W. Schaeffer
  • Publication number: 20130345851
    Abstract: A machining control device controls spindle rotational speed. A set of stability limit curve data is stored indicating a relation between a spindle rotational speed and a limit cutting-in amount whereby chatter vibrations are inhibited. Spindle rotational speed and tool cutting-in amount in starting machining are set based on the data. Vibrations of the spindle are detected during cutting. Whether chatter vibrations have occurred is determined based on vibrations detection. Spindle rotational speed is controlled with reference to the data to inhibit chatter vibrations. Cutting-in amount in starting machining is set to be less than a maximum cutting-in amount within a stable region of the data, and spindle rotational speed in starting machining is set to be less than a rotational speed when the cutting-in amount is maximum within the stable region. Spindle rotational speed is increased by an amount of a predetermined rotational speed when chatter vibrations have occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: KOMATSU LTD.
  • Patent number: 8615320
    Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool monitoring device with an identification unit for identifying the operating situation of a machine tool. According to the invention, the identification unit is designed to identify an operating situation using at least one distance variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Krapf, Heiko Braun, Michael Mahler, Alexander Werner Hees, Philipp Pollauf
  • Patent number: 8600539
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus which can securely show the status of recipe transition is provided. In a substrate processing apparatus 100 including a main control unit 312 which sends a control instruction to process a substrate, and a sub control unit 314 which carries out control of the apparatus in accordance with the control instruction from main control unit 312, the main control unit 312 has a memory unit 317 which stores plural recipes, a display control unit 336 which accepts an execution instruction to cause an arbitrary recipe of the plural recipes to be executed, and a display unit 334 which displays the arbitrary recipe designated by the display control unit 336, on an operation screen 308.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.
    Inventor: Akihiko Yoneda
  • Patent number: 8594822
    Abstract: Electronic supervision may be provided. First, a stock number may be sent to a database server. The stock number may correspond to an electrical cable. In response to sending the database server the stock number, specification information corresponding to the product may be received from a database stored on the database server. The specification information may be, for an electrical cable, a number of wires, a weight per thousand feet, and a diameter. Next, product production may be monitored to determine faults occurring during production. Monitoring the production may include displaying a data monitoring screen to production personnel. The data monitoring screen may provide data regarding the product and product comparison against a standard maintained within the database for the product. Fault data corresponding to the determined faults occurring during the production may be saved to the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Southwire Company
    Inventors: Jackie McGuinn, Tom Stephens, Steve Wilson, Stephen Logan, Mike Crumpler, Alon Stewart, Hugh Butler
  • Publication number: 20130304247
    Abstract: A method of testing a machine tool comprising processing circuitry arranged to control a material remover, in which the method comprises: a) generating a test path to be processed by the processing circuitry to cause the material remover of the machine tool to move along a predetermined path; b) causing the processing circuitry to execute the test path and move the material remover along the test path; c) timing at least one of the performance of the processing circuitry and the movement of the material remover along the test path to generate machine tool timings; and d) using the machine tool timings to set limits which are arranged to subsequently be used when cutting paths are generated for the machine tool for which the test path has been generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Delcam PLC
  • Patent number: 8577495
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a CNC machine comprises mounting a gauge to a table of the CNC machine and calibrating a probe to the gauge mounted on the CNC machine. A total deviation of the probe and an actual table center position from a nominal table center position for a coordinate system associated with the CNC machine are determined. A controller operatively connected to the CNC machine and the probe is programmed to compensate for the total deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jie Gu, John S. Agapiou, Sheri K. Kurgin, Paula J. Deeds
  • Patent number: 8573097
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for monitoring a machine cycle. A method includes the steps of tracking an elapsed cumulative measure; comparing the elapsed cumulative measure with a cycle interrupt interval; interrupting a machining cycle at the cycle interrupt interval; and performing a local return to a defined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Dixon, Reinhard Rinas, Oliver Brugge, Olaf Kaltz
  • Patent number: 8560110
    Abstract: An electroerosion control system includes a general CNC controller being configured for controlling a general CNC machine process, a power supply for energizing a tool electrode and a workpiece to be machined, an electroerosion controller electrically connecting with the power supply for controlling an output of the power supply, and adaptively and electrically connecting with the general CNC controller for communication thereof, and a sensor sensing real-time status information of a working gap between the tool electrode and the workpiece and for sending said real-time status information to said electroerosion controller. Said electroerosion controller automatically controls the electroerosion machining process through the general CNC controller according to the real-time status information of the working gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yimin Zhan, Renwei Yuan, Garth M. Nelson, Yuanfeng Luo, Jun Cai, Ugo Cantelli
  • Publication number: 20130268108
    Abstract: A machine tool includes a controller including a storage unit that stores correction history data including correction amounts of the positions of tools input from a worker and time when the correction amounts are input, in association with the tools; and a display device that can display a time-based graph showing a relationship between the time and the correction amount for each tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Masashi OGAWA, Kazuya FURUKAWA, Shigefumi SUZUYAMA, Atsushi KAMIYA
  • Patent number: 8554356
    Abstract: A processing end point detection method detects a timing of a processing end point (e.g., polishing stop, changing of polishing conditions) by calculating a characteristic value of a surface of a workpiece (an object of polishing) such as a substrate. This method includes producing a spectral waveform indicating a relationship between reflection intensities and wavelengths at a processing end point, with use of a reference workpiece or simulation calculation, based on the spectral waveform, selecting wavelengths of a local maximum value and a local minimum value of the reflection intensities, calculating the characteristic value with respect to a surface, to be processed, from reflection intensities at the selected wavelengths, setting a distinctive point of time variation of the characteristic value at a processing end point of the workpiece as the processing end point, and detecting the processing end point of the workpiece by detecting the distinctive point during processing of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Noburu Shimizu, Shinro Ohta, Koji Maruyama, Yoichi Kobayashi, Ryuichiro Mitani, Shunsuke Nakai, Atsushi Shigeta
  • Patent number: 8538575
    Abstract: A machine controller includes a memory and a processor configured for operating a machine control for automatically controlling apparatus for performing a machining process on a workpiece at least partially as a function of data relating to a parameter of the workpiece, and a gage control for automatically controlling gaging apparatus for collecting and processing the data relating to the parameter of the workpiece and storing the data in the memory. At least a portion of the memory in which the data relating to the parameter of the workpiece is stored, is configured as a shared memory so as to allow the machine control to immediately retrieve and use the stored data relating to the parameter of the workpiece. The controller has particular utility for use in controlling a honing process and a gaging process, which can be in-process or post-process, and which can be used for bore sizing and other parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sunnen Products Company
    Inventors: Timothy P. Hoth, Carl A. Mik, Russell L. Jacobsmeyer
  • Patent number: 8532808
    Abstract: A computer system for use with a building management system in a building includes a processing circuit configured to use historical data received from the building management system to automatically select a set of variables estimated to be significant to energy usage in the building. The processing circuit is further configured to apply a regression analysis to the selected set of variables to generate a baseline model for predicting energy usage in the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kirk H. Drees, Michael J. Wenzel
  • Patent number: 8532811
    Abstract: A workpiece measuring apparatus has an external module provided outside an NC device to acquire position data of one or more movable axes of a movable unit having a measuring head attached thereto. The position data of the measuring head is acquired at the same time interval as that for the distance measurement by the measuring head. The position of the workpiece is acquired by calculation from the acquired distance measurement data and the position data of the measuring head. The continuous shape of the workpiece can be measured by performing continuous measurement while moving the measuring head. Therefore, no modification or change is required such as adding a new function to the NC device. In addition, the present invention is applicable to any machine tool equipped with an NC device of any configuration, without being restricted by constraints of the NC device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shizuo Nishikawa, Kenichiro Ueno, Hisayoshi Morita, Katsuhiko Ono
  • Publication number: 20130178974
    Abstract: When a program command read from a machining program is an auxiliary command, a command associated with the auxiliary command is transmitted. Monitoring of reception of a completion signal corresponding to the command is started. When the completion signal is not received, and when the auxiliary command is a command indicating the unnecessity of waiting to receive the completion signal, determination is made as to whether or not a condition for ending the monitoring of the completion signal corresponding to the auxiliary command is satisfied without receiving the completion signal. When the condition is satisfied, an error process is executed to end the execution of the machining program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: FANUC CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8483864
    Abstract: A controlling console for moving elements such as trusses and winches. A console body has a display screen, and a processor which is programmed to produce an output screen on the display screen which accepts controls for controlling at least one movable device. The output screen includes a plurality of different logical blocks which are connected together. Values and conditions such as true, false, rising edge or error can be entered. The console arranges this into a flow arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Production Resource Group LLC
    Inventor: Rusty Mayhew
  • Publication number: 20130173043
    Abstract: A robotic apparatus for machining tenons on turbine buckets of a steam turbine machine is disclosed. The robotic apparatus includes a machining device having a spindle head. A robotic arm is coupled to the machining device and a base member is coupled to the robotic arm. The base member is mounted independently of the machine element. A vision system is provided for locating the tenon on the turbine bucket. A control system is coupled to the vision system, the machining device and the robotic apparatus. The control system is configured to control movement of the robotic apparatus and the machining device based upon vision system data and spatial information about the tenon and the turbine bucket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Todd George KUDAS, Brian David ALBIN
  • Patent number: 8463422
    Abstract: An extruder or injection molding machine with user-specifically monitoring and regulating processing of plastic materials includes a material feed, a plasticizer, and a mold. A process input variable, e.g. cost of the apparatus, raw material, power, and processed quantity, can be inputted with an input device and transmitted to a controller. A process monitoring variable, e.g. the duration of a product cycle, product cost, raw material used/power consumed per product cycle, expected purchase price for a given quantity of a product, and number of product cycles until maintenance, can be determined in real time from a process control variable and/or process input variable. A value of a process monitoring variable, such as the actual desired, or mean value, the value integrated since starting, the history or tendency of this value, can be outputted on an output device in form of a characteristic diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: KraussMaffei Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Betsche, Günther Grimm, Arno Wyrwoll
  • Patent number: 8463410
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a control device for moving a machine element of an automation machine by dividing an overall movement of the machine element into separately controlled first and a second movement sections extending in a common direction. Desired values for the first and second movement sections are monitored for compliance with a predefined movement constraint. If the first and/or second desired values fail to comply with the predefined movement constraint, the first movement component and/or the second movement component are changed in an iterative process until the changed first and/or second desired values are in compliance with the predefined movement constraint. The changed first and/or second desired values are stored as new first and/or second desired values for moving the machine element. The method and control device prevent overloading of the drive shafts of an automation machine having redundant kinematics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marco Bock, Wolfgang Papiernik, Tomas Sauer
  • Patent number: 8447566
    Abstract: A mounting condition determining method including: obtaining mounting information including information related to component mounting operations scheduled to be performed by a mounter (S1); judging, using the mounting information obtained in the obtaining: which production mode between a synchronous mode and an asynchronous mode is suitable for the scheduled component mounting operations; or which production mode between an alternating mode and an independent mode is suitable for the scheduled component mounting operations (S2, S3); and selecting the production mode indicated by a result of the judgment in the judging, as the production mode to be executed by the mounter (S5, S6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Maenishi