Preset Pattern Patents (Class 700/183)
  • Patent number: 11347199
    Abstract: A program editing device is configured such that, when an arc-shaped partial path is selected from a machining path displayed on a display unit based on route information of each of plural blocks, the program editing device calculates a change amount of the radius of curvature of the selected partial path in accordance with an operation of changing the state of the arc of the selected partial path and revises the block corresponding to the selected partial path based on the change amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fuchen Chu
  • Patent number: 10983505
    Abstract: Some embodiments facilitate creation of an industrial asset item via an additive manufacturing process wherein motion is provided between a build plate and a print arm. A correction engine may receive, from an industrial asset item definition data store containing at least one electronic record defining the industrial asset item, the data defining the industrial asset item. A correction engine computer processor may then correct the motion provided between the build plate and the print arm such that the motion deviates from a path indicated by the data defining the industrial asset item. The three-dimension printer may be a rotary printer such that the build plate rotates about a vertical axis and moves along the vertical axis during printing. In these cases, a pre-compensation algorithm may be applied to correct the motion provided between the build plate and the print arm before transmitting data to the three-dimensional additive manufacturing printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Subhrajit Roychowdhury, Brian McCarthy, Michael Tucker, David C Bogdan, Jr., Michael Evans Graham, William Carter, Victor Ostroverkhov
  • Patent number: 10474131
    Abstract: A numerical controller includes a data table on which data in which a size of a machining area and a setting value of a parameter, which is influenced by a size of a machining area, are associated with each other is registered. Further, the numerical controller estimates a size of a machining area based on a setting value of a parameter used for control of a machine tool. In the case where data corresponding to the estimated size of the machining area is registered on the data table, the numerical controller acquires a parameter setting value corresponding to the size of the machining area from the data table so as to set the parameter setting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Shindou
  • Patent number: 10315305
    Abstract: A robot control apparatus controls a robot having six drive axes and a drive axis as an additional axis. The control apparatus includes a display control part which controls a display of a display part. The display control part displays, on the display part, a first picture which displays an operation program including an operation statement and a second picture which displays a state of the drive axes included in the operation statement. The display control part displays the operation statement including a state of the additional axis without including a state of the six drive axes in the first picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Takahashi, Xianying Wu
  • Patent number: 10117713
    Abstract: Robotic systems and methods for controlling a tool to remove material from a workpiece. Workpieces such as bones are often non-homogenous and have varying density distributions throughout their volumes. In some embodiments, the systems and methods control the feed rate of the tool, the tool path of the tool, and the rotational speed of the tool based on the density distribution in order to provide a desired outcome for a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: MAKO SURGICAL CORP.
    Inventors: José Luis Moctezuma de la Barrera, David Gene Bowling, Donald W. Malackowski, Patrick Roessler, Joel N. Beer
  • Patent number: 9889334
    Abstract: A treadmill may comprise a drive motor positioned and configured to drive a treadbelt, and an electrical current sensor configured to measure the electrical current utilized by the drive motor. The treadmill may also include a computer programmed and configured to analyze the measured electrical current usage by the drive motor to determine the weight of a person positioned on the treadbelt. A person's weight may be determined by driving the treadbelt with the drive motor while a person is positioned on the treadbelt, measuring an electric current utilized by the drive motor, and analyzing the measured electric current to determine the weight of the person positioned on the treadbelt of the treadmill. Additionally, the measured weight may be utilized to calculate calorie expenditure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Ashby, Greg Law
  • Patent number: 9846420
    Abstract: A sequence-program design support device includes a display unit displaying a work screen corresponding to a designing work, an input unit receiving a setting operation of work phases, a zoom-in operation, and a zoom-out operation, a state storage unit storing the work phases and a current work, a work-model storage unit storing a partial order relation of a work specified for each of the work phases with a work screen corresponding to the work, and a control unit displaying a work screen corresponding to a next work of the current work in the order relation and storing the next work when the input unit receives the zoom-in operation with a first operation amount, and displaying a work screen corresponding to a previous work of the current work in the order relation and storing the previous work when the input unit receives the zoom-out operation with a second operation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Yamaoka, Yasumichi Maruyama, Masahiro Hattori
  • Patent number: 9180624
    Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method of arranging three-dimensional virtual designs configured to be manufactured as physical designs on a production batch, the method including: providing the virtual designs, where each virtual design is based on a three-dimensional representation of an object, and where at least a number of the virtual designs belongs to a group, where the virtual designs in a respective group satisfy at least one common criterion; and arranging the virtual designs relative to the production batch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: 3SHAPE A/S
    Inventors: Rune Fisker, David Fischer
  • Patent number: 9134723
    Abstract: In devices for generating a path of a tool of a processing machine by way of computer simulation, an NC program is created using a generated processing path. The NC program used to be corrected by verification of actually moving the processing machine. In contrast, the disclosed processing path generation device has been constituted to be provided with a means for calculating a closest distance and direction from a relationship of a position and posture between a tool and a work at an arbitrary point upon the processing path; a means for imparting a color determined by the closest distance and the direction calculated at the point upon the processing path; a means for panoramically displaying the color imparted to the work; and a means for correcting the relationship of the a position and posture between the tool and the work on the basis of information from a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoichi Nonaka, Hisaya Ishibashi, Takahiro Nakano
  • Publication number: 20150105900
    Abstract: A numerical controller for controlling a machine tool is provided with a screen for operation check such that an upper limit value of the speed, on/off functions such as machine lock, enabling or disenabling of M-, S-, and T-codes, etc., can be set in a plurality of patterns, depending on check contents (or levels) on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Susumu MAKI
  • Patent number: 8942843
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Gun Lee, Yong Tak Hyun
  • Publication number: 20140172148
    Abstract: A method of controlling a machine tool and other controlled devices, as well as a programmable numerical control (PNC) system, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method of controlling includes receiving a first part program at a programmable logic controller (PLC), and storing the first part program in a string array library of a memory portion of the PLC. The method further includes communicating information between the PLC and an operator interface regarding the first part program, and providing a first signal from the PLC to a first port so as to cause the first machine tool to be operated in accordance with the first part program. Also, in at least some embodiments, the PNC system allows for control of multiple machine tools and/or other controlled devices, by way of one or more part programs, and/or for editing of a part program while that program is being executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: John W. Miller
  • Patent number: 8694158
    Abstract: An off-line programming system (10) which includes a three-dimensional shape arranging unit (27) which fills in a curved surface or consecutive plurality of flat surfaces of a selected three-dimensional shape by selected operation patterns and arranges a three-dimensional shape in a virtual space so that the operation patterns will be projected on surfaces of the workpiece model, a working path preparing unit (28) which projects operation patterns on the surfaces of the workpiece model so as to prepare a working path of the tool, and a tool position/posture determining unit (29) which uses the prepared working path and normal direction of the surface of the workpiece model as the basis to automatically determined the position or position/posture of the tool model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Atohira
  • Patent number: 8683366
    Abstract: A field device is able to diagnose a broad spectrum of possible faults and/or states, and includes: structure for performing user defined, diagnostic methods; which has an input circuit, via which at least one input variable is fed to the structure; which has an evaluation unit, which serves for deriving, on the basis of at least one input variable selected by the user and at least one evaluating method selected by the user, at least one characterizing variable; which has a monitoring unit, which monitors the derived characterizing variables on the basis of monitoring criteria selected by the user; and which has an output unit, which, upon the meeting of a monitoring criterion, outputs a diagnosis associated with such monitoring criterion; and an interface, via which a user selects the input variables for each user defined diagnostic method, selects the evaluating methods to apply to the input variables, selects the monitoring criteria, and specifies the diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Hammer, Dietmar Spanke, Herbert Schroth
  • 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: 8489224
    Abstract: An automated computer-implemented method for generating commands for controlling a computer numerically controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the method including the steps of selecting a maximum permitted engagement angle between a rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, selecting a minimum permitted engagement angle between the rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, and configuring a tool path for the tool relative to the workpiece in which the engagement angle gradually varies between the maximum permitted engagement angle and the minimum permitted engagement angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Solidcam Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Berman, Doron Osovlanski, Christopher Calderone, Anthony Calderone
  • Patent number: 8473092
    Abstract: A working route of a main shaft is divided into a plurality of measurement points, and a length from a center of a complete round to the working route of the main shaft at each of the measurement points is measured, and this measured value is compared with a radial length of the complete round to operate a deviation amount from the complete round at each of the measurement points. This deviation amount is utilized to find a transferred position. As correction values for correcting the deviation value, an X-axis incremental amount and a Y-axis incremental amount obtained from a difference in the transferred position between the respective measurement points, or an X-axis absolute value and a Y-axis absolute value of the transferred position at each of the measurement points are incorporated into an NC working program to perform complete round working according to the program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Horkos Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Sugata, Kunihiko Murakami
  • Patent number: 8428765
    Abstract: An optimal process determining system executes a step of calculating a temporary process that includes information of a plurality of individual processes. According to an example, each process includes a tooling including of a tool, a holder, a tool projection length, and a sequence of the plurality of individual processes. A similarity between the toolings of two individual processes is calculated. In addition, a calculation is performed relating to a plurality of integrated processes for which the tooling of one of the individual processes having a high similarity is integrated into the tooling of the other one of the individual processes. In addition, an optimal process is determined from the plurality of integrated processes on the basis of an actual machining time in each of the integrated processes, a unit integration reduction time reduced as one of the toolings of the individual processes is integrated, and the number of the individual processes integrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Okita, Yoshimasa Kuwano, Kazunari Teramoto
  • Patent number: 8150545
    Abstract: A method and a device for position-dependent compliance compensation in a machine tool is disclosed. The compliance of the machine tool is derived at a position of a tool of the machine tool from machine data stored in memory, a machining force acting on the tool during a machining process at this position is determined, and at least one machining parameter that has an influence on the machining process is derived at this position in dependence on the derived compliance and the machining force so as to counteract a displacement of the tool with respect to a desired position caused by the compliance of the machine tool and the machining force. This optimizes the machining time and/or contour fidelity when machining a workpiece with a machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dirk Jahn, Rouven Meidlinger, Mirco Vitr
  • Publication number: 20110118866
    Abstract: Computer-enabled methods and devices allow for the ready set-up for machine instruction generation by addressing various combinations of machining patterns and tool axis orientations via the selection or designation of a machining pattern and the selection or designation of a tool axis orientation via exemplary separate menus of a user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Francesco Bandini, Roberto Parigi
  • Patent number: 7774091
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of designing, previewing a natural stone veneer project in its entirety before a single stone is cut; cutting and finishing the edges of a natural veneer stone to form interconnecting finished natural stone veneer components having a weathered appearance, each component having a perimeter of a pre-determined contour and a finished edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: New World Stoneworks, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Jackman
  • Publication number: 20100138029
    Abstract: A drilling system includes a controller, a human-machine interface, and a drilling device. The controller stores a drilling procedure and a startup mode module for the drilling procedure, and generates an information list which includes location information and corresponding procedure line number for each hole. The human-machine interface is configured for selecting the startup mode module for the drilling procedure, and for inputting a query information corresponding to the selected startup mode module. The controller invokes the corresponding procedure line according to the inputted query information to restart the drilling process to enable the drilling device to return to work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: FOXNUM TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: WEI-DER TANG
  • Patent number: 7643966
    Abstract: A computer model of a physical structure (or object) can be generated using context-based hypothesis testing. For a set of point data, a user selects a context specifying a geometric category corresponding to the structure shape. The user specifies at least one seed point from the set that lies on a surface of the structure of interest. Using the context and point data, the system loads points in a region near the seed point(s), and determines the dimensions and orientation of an initial surface component in the context that corresponds to those points. If the selected component is supported by the points, that component can be added to a computer model of the surface. The system can repeatedly find points near a possible extension of the surface model, using the context and current surface component(s) to generate hypotheses for extending the surface model to these points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventors: Jeffrey Minoru Adachi, Mark Damon Wheeler, Jonathan Apollo Kung, Richard William Bukowski, Laura Michele Downs
  • Patent number: 7640074
    Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for generating datamatrix barcodes on parts. A digital datamatrix code associated with a machined part on a numerically controlled machine tool is converted into an x-y drilling pattern contained in a numerically controlled program. A drill cycle associated with a numerically controlled program defines a pattern of dots to be drilled in the machined part to form a dot pattern. A dot pattern is drilled as a series of partially drilled holes on a surface of the machined part to form a datamatrix barcode mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Albert M. Bajocich, David J. Baer, Kent A. Hall
  • Patent number: 7526360
    Abstract: A design apparatus for efficiently designing a mold that has improved quality. The mold is manufactured by removing cutting area from a mold material. The apparatus includes a database for storing geometry data, which represents a shape of the mold, and a further database for storing process data, which represents the shape of the cutting area, in association with the geometry data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Shimizu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Oshitani, Hatsuko Kouroku, Takahisa Yamada, Tadashi Shimizu, Chiharu Kamiya, Yutaka Takamatsu
  • Patent number: 7489984
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of designing, previewing a stone veneer project in its entirety before a single stone is cut; cutting and finishing the edges of a stone to form interconnecting natural stone veneer components, each having a perimeter of a pre-determined contour and a finished edge, the method comprising: drawing or otherwise importing a design plan comprising overall dimensions and shape of a finished stone veneer project; drawing or otherwise importing a pattern of shape and placement of the stone veneer components within the design plan; programming, scanning or otherwise inputting a plurality of cutting patterns, wherein the cutting patterns are the same or different, each cutting pattern designed to form the stone veneer component having a perimeter of a pre-determined contour; converting the pattern into a machine-readable program to produce a cutting path on an abrasive waterjet machine; loading a cutting path file for the stone veneer component into the abrasive water jet mach
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: New World Stoneworks LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Jackman, Joseph E. Baca, III
  • Patent number: 7487006
    Abstract: Workpiece data involving a product shape and having a smallest diameter for lathe turning around a turning axis is selected from the workpiece database, by comparing dimension data of a workpiece data with dimension data of a product model in a state in which the product model is arranged on the turning axis and the workpiece data is arranged so that a center axis of each workpiece matches a center of the turning axis. The workpiece model for lathe turning is created based on the selected workpiece data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Kamiya, Hiroshi Katano, Kenji Iriguchi, Susumu Matsubara
  • Publication number: 20090005899
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes, among other things, systems, methods and program products for representing punch geometry and associated manufacturing information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: AUTODESK, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald Hochenauer, Matthew James Bussey, Seth A. Hindman
  • Publication number: 20080269943
    Abstract: A method for generating a tool path for machining a pocket with a milling cutter is disclosed. The tool path includes a first portion, a second portion and a transition portion connecting together the first portion and the second portion. The method includes the steps of: determining a radius of a first arc; determining a radius of a second arc; situating the first arc so as to connect the first portion to the second portion in a tangent continuous manner; situating a third arc so as to be tangent continuous the first arc and intersecting the first arc; and situating a fourth arc, so as to be: (1) tangent continuous with the third arc, (2) tangent to the second arc and (3) tangent continuous with either the first portion or the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: SURFWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Diehl, Robert B. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7286966
    Abstract: An apparatus or system is used for planning the rotation of part usage between shafts or plants based at least on schedule information relating to operation and inspection-purpose shutdown, attribute information relating to part life, part maintenance periods, and other part attributes, and part information relating to the parts to be used in the rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Miyako Hotta, Yoshitaka Kojima, Kenji Araki, Yoshikazu Moritomo
  • Patent number: 7243000
    Abstract: An automatic programming apparatus includes a process division control section, which automatically divides a machining process executed to obtain a predetermined product shape from a material shape of a workpiece. The process division control section computes a removal shape, which is a shape to be removed from the material shape when executing the machining process, based on the material shape and the product shape. The process division control section defines a reference machining boundary that intersects a reference axis defined on the product shape and divides the volume of the removal shape into two equal parts. The process division control section defines, on the removal shape, a process division boundary that intersects the reference axis based on the reference machining boundary and the profile of the product shape. The machining process is divided into a first process and a second process with the process division boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Ohashi, Kazuhiro Kikata, Morikuni Kimura, Tetsuya Itoh
  • Patent number: 7027889
    Abstract: An automatic programming apparatus 1 comprises: storing sections 11, 12, 13, and 14 for storing shape data of a product having a recess and a protrusion formed in the bottom surface inside the recess, workpiece data, tool data, and machining condition data; a concave portion machining tool storing section 15 for storing the identification data of a plurality of tools selected in advance as tools to be used for the machining of the recess; a CL data generating section 16 for referring to the identification data, thereby setting a plurality of tool combinations, and then generating CL data of the recess for each combination; a machining time calculating section 18 for calculating the machining time for each combination on the basis of the CL data; and an NC program generating section 20 for generating an NC program by using the CL data having the minimum machining time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignees: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd., Intelligent Manufacturing Systems International
    Inventor: Takayuki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6950720
    Abstract: A preset controller which performs preset control, which allows, in the case of updating and correcting a print operational condition for a print pattern number, another print operation for a different print pattern number to reflect the updated and corrected compensator set value. A preset controller of a compensator in a rotary press is provided. The rotary press includes a compensator for use in a paper leading course extending from a printing unit to a folding unit and a movement device for moving the compensator, and controls the movement device so that the compensator is moved to a preset location suitable for cutting a printed web at an optimum position thereof. The preset controller includes a set value reader for reading, based on a paper leading course number read by a data reader, a compensator number and a compensator set value corresponding to the paper leading course number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokyo Kikai Seisakusho
    Inventor: Kunio Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6876900
    Abstract: Unit design according to the present invention makes it possible for accumulated results of past design examples to be reflected in forming new designs, thereby preventing repetitive of designs and thereby reducing the time required for development. In the unit designing apparatus (1), the CPU (3) includes a basic structure designing section (21) for designing a basic structure in accordance with a given design target, and a function block searching section (23) for searching a design example of a function block for application to the engine concerned. The function block layout section (25) lays out a retrieved outer shape of a function block in a basic structural view to design a raw material shape. The CPU (3) further includes a production machining information searching section (29) for searching production machining information for application to each function block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Takeda, Michiyoshi Keta, Kazuhiko Okusa
  • Patent number: 6840721
    Abstract: In a method for producing embossing plates, in particular steel intaglio printing plates, a plane element is determined from a line drawing, the edge of the plane element defining a desired contour. A tool track is then calculated from the desired contour and a desired depth associated with the plane element, to be used for guiding an engraving tool such that the partial area is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventors: Wittich Kaule, Karlheinz Mayer
  • Publication number: 20040215364
    Abstract: A method for generating and visualizing a task-oriented step representation of one or more parts programs in machine tools or production machines is described. A syntax analyzer searches the parts program for key terms, whereafter a task-oriented step representation of the parts program(s) is generated based on the key terms found in the search. The task-oriented step representation can then be visualized to a user. The disclosed method can advantageously be used to visualize and display parts programs of machine tools or production machines, which are available in ASCII code, in form of a step representation or step diagram without necessitating changes in the parts programs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Matthias Dutsch, Klaus Hertinger, Timo Pallas, Martin Seithe, Winfried Wacker
  • Patent number: 6788995
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method therefor of sorting and unloading various pieces cut from sheet blanks which have different dimensions in a sheet metal fabricating environment. To achieve this end, prior to the production run, the various program routines whose operations for effecting the cutting of the sheet blanks are retrieved and the data relevant to the to be cut pieces are grouped and analyzed so that pieces of different dimensions cut in accordance with the different program routines are respectively allocated to the corresponding sorting addresses for unloading. Accordingly, different pieces with the same dimension cut from different program routines during the same production run are unloaded to the same location of the unloader area. Optimization of the unloading process and optimal utilization of the available loading space are thereby achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Finn-Power International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikko Lindstrom
  • Patent number: 6782305
    Abstract: A method for sharing geometric information and maintaining parametric consistency amongst different software applications in a collaborative environment is presented. The method is based on geometric information sharing via neutral files, and incorporates Internet based messaging mechanisms amongst applications to maintain the parametric control over the exchanged geometry. In a preferred embodiment the proposed method is applied to Heterogeneous Assembly Modeling (HAM). By means of the presently disclosed method, within the heterogeneous assembly model, the parametric control over part geometry is maintained, even though the parts are imported in the assembly via neutral files originated by other CAD applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: William Liteplo, David Wallace
  • Patent number: 6757581
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an offset apparatus for an NC machine tool, that can achieve high accuracy machining by offsetting the amount of operation of a motion mechanism in accordance with the analysis result of the behavior of the NC machine tool. The offset apparatus 1 comprises: a model analyzing data base 12 in which three dimensional model data of the motion mechanism 2 and condition data for performance analysis are stored; a model analyzing section 13 which analyzes the performance of the motion mechanism 2; a data accumulating section 14 which stores analyzed performance analysis data; an offset amount computing section 15 which computes an offset amount to be applied to a commanded operation amount on the basis of the performance analysis data; and an offset executing section 17 which offsets the amount of operation of the motion mechanism 2 on the basis of the offset amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignees: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd., Intelligent Manufacturing Systems International
    Inventors: Makoto Fujishima, Yoshiaki Akamatsu
  • Patent number: 6618641
    Abstract: Each time the number of cumulative rotations of a spindle rotating motor 11 reaches the number of cumulative rotations set in a position data table T, a CPU 22 reads out the mobile positions of a work piece and tool at thus reached number of cumulative rotations and the next number of cumulative rotations to reach from a position data storage section 25, and reads out a moving speed characteristic between the reached number of cumulative rotations and the next number of cumulative rotations to reach from a moving speed characteristic storage section 27 according to an auxiliary operation designation in the position data table T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Endo, Shigeyuki Kurihara
  • Patent number: 6597966
    Abstract: Every time the cumulative number of revolutions of a spindle rotating motor reaches a cumulative number of revolutions set in a data table, a CPU reads out, from a data memory section, moving positions of a workpiece and tool at the reached cumulative number of revolutions and the next cumulative number of revolutions, and a spindle rotational speed instruction value at the reached cumulative number of revolutions. The CPU sets the reached cumulative number of revolutions as a start point and the next cumulative number of revolutions as an end point, and divides the interval between the start and end points at predetermined timings. The CPU determines moving positions of the workpiece and tool at divided timings on the basis of the readout moving positions of the workpiece and tool. The CPU outputs the spindle rotational speed instruction value as a spindle rotational speed instruction signal to a reference spindle rotational speed setting circuit to control the rotational speed of the spindle rotating motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sugiyama, Takehisa Kajiyama
  • Patent number: 6597967
    Abstract: A automated manufacturing system is provided for performing a manufacturing operation along a contoured surface of a workpiece. The automated manufacturing system includes a movable member; a tool disposed on the movable member for performing a manufacturing operation; a path planning subsystem which is operable to generate path data based on dimensional data for the workpiece, where the path data is indicative of a path for traversing the tool along the surface of the workpiece; and a controller adapted to receive the path data from the path planning subsystem and operable to move the moveable member in accordance with the path data, thereby performing the manufacturing operation along the surface of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Board of Trustees operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Ning Xi, Weihua Sheng
  • Patent number: 6591156
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating numerical control information for numerically controlling machine tools. Contents of corrective editing or correction to numerical control information by a processing operator is written and stored in a processing method database as processing knowledge of the processing engineer. When a programmer generates new numerical control information, a suitable processing method can be used from the processing method database. The knowledge included processing conditions by the processing operator. The information in the processing method database is updated at each and every processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignees: Okuma Corporation, Mori Seiki Co., Ltd., Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Fukaya, Naoki Morita, Sadayuki Matsumiya, Kazuo Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6532394
    Abstract: A method of manipulating data in a method for forming a three-dimensional object layer by layer from an ink jettable, solidifiable material by providing data corresponding to a plurality of polygons defining the outer surfaces of a plurality of three-demiensional objects and providing sets of x, y, and z coordinates corresponding to each layer and identifying x and y coordinates with each z coordinate such that directional values and counter values are determined for each y coordinate in a first set of coordinates generated. A second set of y coordinates are generated according to a formula that permits the determined layers to be processed to form a three-dimensional object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jocelyn M. Earl, Chris R. Manners, Thomas A. Kerekes, Paul H. Marygold, Jeffrey S. Thayer
  • Patent number: 6522941
    Abstract: The chuck 10, for positioning and holding a pipe at any rotational angle position around the axial center, is provided with the three dimensional linear processing machine. When the machining program PRO is composed, a plurality of the shape patterns KPT classified machining modes concerning pipes by machining shape is displayed on the display 23. Furthermore, dimensional data item concerning selected shape pattern is displayed on the display 23. Then, the machining program PRO is composed on the basis of the input code parameter CP and the selected shape pattern KPT. Besides, shift quantity TMz and TMy are measured when the pipe to be machined is installed on the chuck 10, and on the basis of this, the machining program PRO is amended and executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Minoru Tashiro, Ryoichi Furuhashi, Hitoshi Kumazaki, Hikaru Iryoda
  • Publication number: 20030033048
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus that generates an NC program efficiently by using programming base data for a previously similar machined products. The apparatus comprises: a historical data storing section 16 for prestoring programming base data which is base data for NC program generation and comprises machining element data including configuration data concerning a workpiece and a product and process data concerning the kind of machining, and tool-related data concerning a tool and machining conditions; a machining element data generating section 13 for generating the machining element data for the product to be machined, based on three-dimensional shape data for the product to be machined and the workpiece; and a searching section 15 for searching in the historical data storing section 16 on the basis of the generated machining element data, and for extracting programming base data for a product similar to the product to be machined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: MORI SEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nakamura, Shojiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6505092
    Abstract: Machining procedure extracting means extract machining procedures (information about tools, cutting conditions, and the like) based on a machining command of an NC program, and machining procedure outputting means display the machining procedures on a CRT display unit or the like. Thus, a machining operator can easily prepare for machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignees: Okuma Corporation, Mitutoyo Corporation, Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Fukaya, Sadayuki Matsumiya, Masayoshi Uneme, Kazuo Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20020119020
    Abstract: A machine tool 10 to fashion objects from blocks of material having a material-remover 16 able to move in at least two degrees of freedom and having the material 18 controlled by processing circuitry. The processing circuitry 18 determines a path along which the material-remover 16 should move, allowing the depth of a cut made by the material remover to vary. The movement of the material-remover 16 is so controlled to improve bulk material removal when compared to prior art machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Applicant: Delcam PLC
    Inventor: Steven Michael Hobbs
  • Patent number: 6428252
    Abstract: A method adapted to achieve a high rate of material removal when, for example, milling a cavity into a work piece. The method includes providing for a cutter path in which the angular engagement between the cutter and the work piece is maintained below a predetermined value to prevent premature wear of the tool, providing for a cutter path which permits a constant cutter feed rate including during directional changes in the path, and machining a series of nested pockets into the work piece utilizing cutter paths as provided for above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Tino Oldani
  • Patent number: 6401004
    Abstract: A device for analyzing NC program is provided with a machining method analyzing means (34) which extracts machining conditions for every machining work element by analyzing an actual NC machining program, and data base creating means (35). The device extracts necessary machining information from the actual NC machining program and allows the data bases (21, 22, 23 and 24) to reflect the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Mori Seiki Seisakusho, Mitutoyo Corporation, Okuma Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Yamazaki, Naoki Morita, Sadayuki Matsumiya, Yasushi Fukaya