Abstract: In order to be able to take into account machining configurations more flexibly, a method for optimizing numerically controlled machining of a workpiece includes ascertaining geometric interaction data. A relationship between a force to be expected and a configuration parameter of the machining is determined on the basis of the interaction data. The force is calculated during the machining on the basis of the relationship and a current value of the at least one configuration parameter. The machining is adapted depending on the calculated force.

Abstract: A method and system, the method including receiving a nominal computer-aided design (CAD) model of a component; producing a physical representation of the component based on the CAD model using an additive manufacturing (AM) process; measuring the produced physical representation of the component to obtain measurement data of the physical representation of the component; determining a deviation between a geometry of the CAD model and the measurement data of the physical representation of the component; calculating a nonlinear scale factor using an iterative simulation process; determining a compensation field based on the determined deviation between the geometry of the CAD model and the measurement data of the physical representation of the component and the calculated nonlinear scale factor; modifying the nominal CAD model by the determined compensation field; and producing a physical representation of the component based on the modified nominal CAD model.

Abstract: This method for generating a tool path for processing a workpiece is provided with: a step for setting a first reference plane with respect to the workpiece; a step for setting, with respect to the workpiece, a second reference plant which is not parallel to the first reference plane; a step for interpolating, on the basis of the first reference plane and the second reference plane, a plurality of third reference planes, which are not parallel to each other, between the first reference plane and the second reference plane; a step in which partial tool paths for processing the workpiece are generated for each of the plurality of third reference planes on the basis of the corresponding third reference plane; and a step for generating a tool path by sequentially connecting the partial tool paths of the plurality of third reference planes.

Abstract: A numerical controller includes a work installation error compensation unit, and the work installation error compensation unit includes a tool position and direction calculation unit and an error compensation unit that selects the positions of two rotary axes according to a first method of selecting a solution close to a previous solution or a second method of selecting a solution close to a command value when a plurality of solutions is present. The numerical controller further includes a look ahead unit that looks ahead a program, and the work installation error compensation unit performs error compensation on the looked ahead command value according to the first method to obtain a compensation command value and sets the first method when the compensation command value is within a movable region of a five-axis machine tool while setting the second method when the compensation command value is outside the movable region.

Abstract: A numerical control device is for machining a machining object by moving a tool and the machining object relative to each other along a movement path while applying vibration, by use of a drive axis provided for the tool or the machining object. The device includes a storage unit that holds an invalid frequency region, and a vibration condition determining unit to determine a frequency for the vibration, based on a rotational speed of a main shaft for rotating the machining object, a number of vibrations of the vibration in each one rotation of the main shaft, and the invalid frequency region.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for detecting damage to a linear guide on which a robot is mounted, by using a simple configuration. The apparatus has: a length measuring sensor configured to measure a position of a predetermined portion of the robot at predetermined time intervals; a current detecting section configured to detect a current value of a drive motor for driving a slide; and a judging section such as a processor, configured to, when the measured distance between the predetermined portion of the robot and the length measuring sensor is out of a range defined by a predetermined first threshold, and when the current value of the drive motor is equal to or higher than a predetermined second threshold, judge that the linear guide has been damaged.

Abstract: In wire-electrical discharge machine and a numerical control apparatus thereof and a numerical control apparatus for controlling a machine tool, optional minute blocks are automatically created in front of and behind a connecting point, which is a joint of a block to which an offset command is instructed, and an offset value is exchanged between the minute blocks so that a correct offset value is set in a desired block.

Abstract: In wire-electrical discharge machine and a numerical control apparatus thereof and a numerical control apparatus for controlling a machine tool, optional minute blocks are automatically created in front of and behind a connecting point, which is a joint of a block to which an offset command is instructed, and an offset value is exchanged between the minute blocks so that a correct offset value is set in a desired block.

Abstract: A device and method used in a spindle or fixture to measure tool sizes. The device has two conical shapes that have precision machined surfaces. The device's face has a precise size which is the same nominal size as that of a material removing tool. The device's shaft allows for concentric and precision fastening of the device to a spindle or a fixture. The nose of the device is located on the end of the larger of the two conical shapes which is visible exposed when mounted and used. The end of the device is at the end of the smaller of the two conical shapes which is hidden after mounting. The combination of using the device and method will allow more accurate programming of machine tools which in turn will provide higher quality results on machined work pieces and reduced machining cycles.

Abstract: A mobile three-dimensional (3D) measuring system includes a 3D measuring device, a multi-legged stand coupled to the 3D measuring device, and a motorized dolly detachably coupled to the multi-legged stand.

Abstract: A calibration memory control method of an ECU connected to an external calibration device may include receiving a download command from the external calibration device, checking a sub reference page corresponding to the download command, determining whether a sub working page corresponding to the checked sub reference page is allocated, allocating the sub working page corresponding to the checked sub reference page to a RAM region upon determining that the sub working page is not allocated, and copying data stored in the checked sub reference page to the allocated sub working page. As such, according to the present invention, restrictive memory resources may be efficiently used for calibration.

Abstract: A numerical controller acquires state information (machine condition) such as the current temperature of a drive unit to determine whether a machining operation based on a machining program can be started or not by comparing the state information with a machine condition history recorded in a recording unit. If determined that the machining operation can be started, a machining operation start command is output and if determined that the machining operation cannot be started, the machine condition is monitored to withhold outputting of the machining operation start command until the machine condition allowing to start the machining operation based on the machining program appears.

Abstract: A system for offsetting a CNC machining process includes transferring compensation variables through registers in fixed G-code programming of the CNC machine and offsetting the CNC machine without altering fixed G-code programming. Global compensation variables are applied to all feature programs of the CNC machining process, and local compensation variables are applied to only individual features or groups of features. The machine shifts position in response to the compensation variables.

Abstract: A polishing machine is described in which a surface treatment tool is moved across the surface of a workpiece in accordance with a predefined tool-path, in order to carry out the desired treatment process. The tool-path is non-periodic and preferably pseudo-random. Various techniques are described for generating data representing the tool-path to be followed. A technique is also described for determining optimum control parameters used to control the polishing machine for a given tool-path. The surface treatment may be a shaping technique in which material is removed from the surface, or a technique for adding material to the surface of the workpiece, or a technique for modifying the surface or a region under the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: In wire-electrical discharge machine and a numerical control apparatus thereof and a numerical control apparatus for controlling a machine tool, optional minute blocks are automatically created in front of and behind a connecting point, i.e., a joint of a block to which an offset command is instructed, and an offset value is exchanged between the minute blocks so that a correct offset value is set in a desired block.

Abstract: A control device for a machine tool including a motor for driving a spindle includes: a current detection unit that detects a current driving the motor; a storage unit that stores overheat temperature specified for the motor; a temperature detection unit that detects temperature of the motor; a time estimation unit that estimates, by using the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit and the overheat temperature, time from when present estimation takes place until the motor reaches the overheat temperature, under a condition in which the current detected by the current detection unit continuously passes through the motor; and a provision unit that provides the time estimated by the time estimation unit.

Abstract: A method for enabling calibration during start-up of a micro controller unit device is provided. The method comprises, within the MCU device, reading overlay initialization data from at least one memory element within an external support device operably coupled to the MCU device, and configuring memory mapping functionality of the MCU device to overlay data stored within at least a part of device memory of the MCU device with calibration data stored within the at least one memory element of the external support device in accordance with the overlay initialization data.

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).

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a firtree slot in a disc of a bladed rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine may include a tip portion having the shape of the profile of one side of the firtree slot to be formed but smaller than the profile of the complete firtree slot so that the tool will only engage one side of the firtree slot.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool path forming method in a milling processing system, the method including: (A) a shape offset step; (B) a virtual wall forming step; (C) an interference region forming and shape revising step; (D) a closed shape forming step; (E) a cutting surface forming step; (F) tool path forming steps; (G) an unprocessed region detecting step; and (H) an uncut region tool path forming step.

Abstract: A work having a non-circular cross-section is machined by relative movement between the work and a tool, as the relative position and angle between the work and tool are changed at least within a plane including the cross-section of the work. In machining along a preset tool path, the difference between the relative angle at a point on the preset tool path which machining is started and that point on the preset tool path at which machining is finished is calculated. Time needed in machining along the preset tool path is equally divided by a preset number at equal time divisions, and positions on the tool path corresponding to equal time divisions are set as tool path points. When the tool moves through each point, the relative angle is continuously changed an angle corresponding to division of the difference of the relative angles by the preset number of equal time divisions.

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.

Abstract: An electronic system for compensating the dimensional accuracy of a 4-axis CNC machining system includes a CNC machining system configured to machine a plurality of features into a part, a dimensional measuring device configured to measure a plurality of dimensions of the part, and to provide an output corresponding to the measured dimensions and a compensation processor in communication with the CNC machining system and dimensional measuring device. The CNC machining system includes a global coordinate system, and at least one feature being defined relative to a local coordinate system that is translated from the machine coordinate system. Additionally, the compensation processor is configured to receive the output from the dimensional measuring device, to calculate a plurality of CNC offsets, including at least one local offset, and to provide the offsets to the CNC machining system.

Abstract: An apparatus on an integrated circuit, and method thereof, provides a real-time flexible interface between inputs from a vehicle components and outputs to the vehicle control components. The functions comprises of a programmable interconnection matrix, engine sensors and a control interface. Both engine sensors and control functions comprise of fixed hardwired functions and a customization hardware area. The apparatus therefore provides means for flexible powertrain events control target for the next generation of low-polluting power trains of vehicles.

Abstract: An electronic system for compensating the dimensional accuracy of a 4-axis CNC machining system includes a CNC machining system configured to machine a feature into a part, a dimensional measuring device configured to measure a dimension of the part, and to provide an output corresponding to the measured dimension, and a compensation processor in communication with the CNC machining system and dimensional measuring device. The compensation processor is configured to receive the output from the dimensional measuring device, to calculate a plurality of CNC offsets, and to provide the offsets to the CNC machining system.

Abstract: An apparatus on an integrated circuit provides a real-time flexible interface between inputs from a vehicle components and outputs to the vehicle control components. The functions comprises of a programmable interconnection matrix, engine sensors and a control interface. Both engine sensors and control functions comprise of fixed hardwired functions and a customization hardware area. The apparatus therefore provides means for flexible powertrain events control target for the next generation of low-polluting power trains of vehicles.

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.

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.

Abstract: An electronic system for compensating the dimensional accuracy of a 4-axis CNC machining system includes a CNC machining system configured to machine a feature into a part, a dimensional measuring device configured to measure a dimension of the part, and to provide an output corresponding to the measured dimension, and a compensation processor in communication with the CNC machining system and dimensional measuring device. The compensation processor is configured to receive the output from the dimensional measuring device, to calculate a plurality of CNC offsets, and to provide the offsets to the CNC machining system.

Abstract: A machine tool is fitted with a position detector for detecting a position of a moving axis of the machine tool and an on-machine measuring device for measurement on the machine tool. An axial position detection signal output from the position detector and a measurement signal output from the on-machine measuring device are received through interfaces by a numerical controller that controls the machine tool. These interfaces are designed so that the numerical controller receives the axial position detection signal and the measurement signal with the same timing.

Abstract: A method of controlling a multiple spindle machine includes measuring the motor currents provided to a first spindle and a second spindle over a period of time, establishing an amount of time between impacts on a workpiece of a cutting tooth of the first spindle relative to a cutting tooth of the second spindle based on the measured motor currents of the first spindle and the second spindle, determining an angle to shift the second spindle relative to the first spindle, and increasing or decreasing the amount of time between impacts to obtain the determined shift angle for the second spindle.

Abstract: A groove (Da) extending in a Y-axis direction of a workpiece (D) is finish machined with an offset tool (T) that has a cross-section with a shape (L3) offset in a reducing direction by only a predetermined offset amount relative to a finished shape (L1) of the groove (Da) and that rotates around an axis of rotation parallel to a Z axis. Each time an incising step in which the offset tool (T) is relatively moved within the X-Z plane only by a predetermined distance on the circumference of an imaginary circle (C) having an initial position as its center and the offset amount (o) as its radius is carried out, a cutting step in which the entire length of the groove (Da) is cut while relatively moving the offset tool (T) in the Y-axis direction is carried out repeatedly.

Abstract: The present invention is related to manufacturing surfaces with an axis decentered from the spindle axis. In particular, the present invention is related to compensating for tool geometry in cutting processes that involve an oscillating tool.

Abstract: A tool compensation system for adjusting parameters of a tool includes a controller and a selecting module. The controller includes a storing module, an invoking module, and a compensation module. The storing module is configured for storing serial numbers and data tables of a first and a second tools. Each data table of the first and second tools includes a plurality of first dimensional parameters and a plurality of second dimensional parameters. The selecting module is capable of selecting a tool for machining by selecting the serial number of the tool. The invoking module is configured for invoking the second dimensional parameters according to the first dimensional parameters of a tool selected by the selecting module. The compensation module is configured for adjusting machining parameters of the selected tool according to the second dimensional parameters.

Abstract: By coordinating the amount and course of the crowning of the tool and the diagonal ratio, a twist is created with a simple tool, and superimposed on the natural twist, thus resulting in the twist required for the work piece. Furthermore, an additional portion of the crowning is superimposed on the portion of the crowning of the work piece which is the result of the crowning of the tool during the machining in the diagonal method, thus resulting in the required crowning of the work piece, with the additional portion of the crowning being generated by changing the spacing between tool and work piece during the machining.

Abstract: A drilling machine drills at a multiplicity of target locations on a component. Two robots, calibrated with calibration data, move the component in a 6-D coordinate system. A metrology system ascertains the position of the component relative to the drilling machine. The movement of the robots is effected by commands generated by off-line programming. The component is moved relative to the drilling machine to a target position, ready for drilling, by a closed-loop process in which the differences in position between the expected position (the target position) and the actual position (as viewed by the metrology system) are corrected.

Abstract: A method and system for manufacturing an in-process part is provided. The method includes manufacturing one or more primary features of the in-process part. The method also includes measuring multiple locations and attributes of the manufactured in-process part including the primary features. The method further includes designing multiple optimal locations and attributes of multiple secondary features of the in-process part based on the measured locations and attributes of the manufactured in-process part and the primary features. The method also includes manufacturing one or more secondary features of the in-process part based on the optimal design locations and attributes of the secondary features.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for positioning a wafer (3) with a reference mark (6) in a vacuum processing unit with a transport chamber containing a transport device (2, 20, 21) for moving the wafers (3) in a plane to a process chamber arranged on said chamber and a single sensor (1), arranged within the transport chamber before the process chamber for recording the position of the wafer (3) by means of recording the edge thereof at a first detection point (4) and a second detection point (5), such that the actual position of the wafer (12) with a known wafer diameter can be determined with electronic analysis of both measured detection points (4, 5) and the transport device (2, 20, 21) guides the wafer (3) to a desired set position.

Abstract: A tool compensation system for adjusting parameters of a tool includes a controller and a selecting module. The controller includes a storing module, an invoking module, and a compensation module. The storing module is configured for storing serial numbers and data tables of a first and a second tools. Each data table of the first and second tools includes a plurality of first dimensional parameters and a plurality of second dimensional parameters. The selecting module is capable of selecting a tool for machining by selecting the serial number of the tool. The invoking module is configured for invoking the second dimensional parameters according to the first dimensional parameters of a tool selected by the selecting module. The compensation module is configured for adjusting machining parameters of the selected tool according to the second dimensional parameters.

Abstract: A groove (Da) extending in a Y-axis direction of a workpiece (D) is finish machined with an offset tool (T) that has a cross-section with a shape (L3) offset in a reducing direction by only a predetermined offset amount relative to a finished shape (L1) of the groove (Da) and that rotates around an axis of rotation parallel to a Z axis. Each time an incising step in which the offset tool (T) is relatively moved within the X-Z plane only by a predetermined distance on the circumference of an imaginary circle (C) having an initial position as its center and the offset amount (o) as its radius is carried out, a cutting step in which the entire length of the groove (Da) is cut while relatively moving the offset tool (T) in the Y-axis direction is carried out repeatedly.

Abstract: The invention relates to the control of an orienting/positioning system comprising comprising at least a sensor and an actuator for controlling an orienting and/or positioning action adapted to change an input space of the sensor. A first step evaluates pre-action output information of the sensor in order to detect a pre-action position of a manipulating device in the input space of the sensor. A second step decides on a targeted post-action position of the manipulating device in the input space of the sensor. A third step defines a command for the actuator by mapping any deviation of the pre-action position and the targeted post-action position in the input space of the sensor to actuator control coordinates using a predefined mapping function. A fourth step orients/positions the manipulating device according to the defined command in order to carry out the orienting/positioning action. A fifth step detects a real post-action position of the manipulating device in the input space of the sensor.

Abstract: A method of protecting a rotating device, loaded by temperature of a machine tool with one temperature sensor on that device and a temperature bloc, comprising the steps of inputting specific parameters in the temperature bloc, estimating a value for the device temperature increase caused by the activity of the device and measuring the temperature of the device.

Abstract: A method corrects thermal displacement of a machine tool having a rotational spindle. The method includes detecting a rotation speed of the spindle. A thermal displacement amount of the spindle in the current cycle of execution of a program is estimated by using an arithmetic expression that is based at least on the spindle rotation speed and a thermal displacement amount that has been estimated in the preceding cycle of execution of the program. The estimated thermal displacement amount in the current cycle is used as a correction amount for canceling the thermal displacement of the spindle. Therefore, thermal displacement of a machine tool is corrected with no complicated processes when a spindle rotation speed changes.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing machining operations on an object includes a carriage, a movable head configurable with an operating attachment to perform the machining operations on the object, and a position determination system operable to determine the spatial relationship of the carriage and the object and provide a first signal representative thereof. The position determination system periodically determines the spatial relationship of the head to the object during machining operations on the object and provides a second signal representative thereof. The second signal is used to re-position the head to a desired position during the machining operations.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods of machining a workpiece. In one embodiment, a method includes positioning a workpiece in a first position in a process station of a machine system, and forming at least one check feature on the workpiece. A position of the check feature is then sensed while the workpiece is positioned in the first position, and one or more machined features are formed on the workpiece relative to the check feature while the workpiece is positioned in the first position. The workpiece is then moved from the first position to a second position within the process station, and a position of the check feature is again sensed while the workpiece is positioned in the second position. One or more machined features are then formed on the workpiece relative to the check feature while the workpiece is positioned in the second position.

Abstract: In a machining method and a machining apparatus, prior to machining, an NC control unit makes an X-axis drive unit move a table based on examination conditions specified in advance. Thus, the NC control unit obtains a stabilization time required from the command-reach time of a poisoning command and till the stabilization of position response of the table within a predetermined allowable range. Likewise, for moving a drill in a Y-axis direction, the NC control unit obtains a stabilization time required till the stabilization of position response within a predetermined allowable range. At the time of machining, the drill is moved in a Z-axis direction to cut into a printed wiring board as soon as the obtained stabilization time has passed.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for estimating manufacturing target bias for products in manufacturing tools. The method first establishes a first data set according to manufacturing target bias history based on a correlation with tools used. The manufacturing tools comprise a first manufacturing tool and other manufacturing tools. Next, a testing operation is executed for a predicted product in the first manufacturing tool to obtain a first predicted manufacturing target bias. Finally, manufacturing target bias of the predicted product in the other manufacturing tools is calculated according to the first data set and the first predicted manufacturing target bias.

Abstract: A supporting apparatus includes a supporting member configured to support a movable member, an acceleration sensor configured to detect acceleration of the supporting member, an actuator configured to drive the supporting member, a memory configured to memorize offset data for the acceleration sensor, an offset unit configured to offset an output of the acceleration sensor in accordance with the offset data in the memory, a discrimination unit configured to discriminate whether the offset data should be renewed or not on the basis of an output of the acceleration sensor, and a renewing unit configured to renew the offset data on the basis of the result of the discrimination made by the discrimination unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and automatically identifying defects in technical equipment, is disclosed. Measurement signals varying in time are downloaded as spectrograms to a computer memory. Using a predetermined criteria a set of designated peak values is created. Using another predetermined criteria the set of designated peak values is divided into two subsets. Then in one of the subsets, peak groups differing from each other by the basic frequency values are distinguished. The second subset, created from the set of designated peak values, is searched for the presence of sidebands for peaks from each specified peak group and if the sidebands are present the basic frequency of the sidebands is calculated. Then the existence of a defect in the technical equipment is detected, and identified by comparing the basic frequencies and the basic frequencies of the sidebands with the frequency values collected in the computer memory.

Abstract: A drilling machine drills at a multiplicity of target locations on a component. Two robots, calibrated with calibration data, move the component in a 6-D coordinate system. A metrology system ascertains the position of the component relative to the drilling machine. The movement of the robots is effected by commands generated by off-line programming. The component is moved relative to the drilling machine to a target position, ready for drilling, by a closed-loop process in which the differences in position between the expected position (the target position) and the actual position (as viewed by the metrology system) are corrected.