Alignment Of Tool Or Workpiece (e.g., Origin Or Path Return) Patents (Class 700/192)
  • Patent number: 8700369
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating error in a multi-axis controlled machine is applicable to any type of machine configuration in order to estimate and confirm in advance the final position and the posture of the machine, which are produced when geometric errors of the machine are synthesized. The method includes defining the structure of the multi-axis controlled machine subjected to error estimation; and defining parameters, which represent behaviors of drive axes having geometric error and relationships between the drive axes according to the defined structure of the multi-axis controlled machine, adding the defined parameters by applying the parameters to a generalized error synthesis model, and generating an error synthesis model of the multi-axis controlled machine by applying a result of parametric modeling in response to a result of the adding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kyungpook National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Seung-Han Yang, Dong-Mok Lee, Sung-Hwan Kweon
  • Patent number: 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
  • Publication number: 20140025191
    Abstract: A method of processing structurally identical workpieces using a numerically controlled workpiece processing apparatus includes processing a first workpiece according to a first desired tool path specified for a tool of the numerically controlled workpiece processing apparatus by closed-loop controlling a working distance between the tool and the workpiece to achieve a defined desired distance, such that when processing the first workpiece, the tool is moved along a distance-controlled actual tool path. The method further includes optimizing the first desired tool path for a second workpiece based on the distance-controlled actual tool path of the first workpiece to provide a second desired tool path and processing the second workpiece according to the second desired tool path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: TRUMPF Laser- und Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Wolf Wadehn
  • Publication number: 20140025196
    Abstract: A method for carrying out a stud joining process by a tool performing a working step on a workpiece and the working step is carried out while taking into account at least one parameter value which is selected from a set of values, and the working step is to be carried out at a certain position on the workpiece, and the position determines the parameter value. The method comprises the steps of: storing the parameter value for the position in an RFID transponder; locating the RFID transponder on the workpiece in the region of the position before the working step is carried out, reading the parameter value out from the RFID transponder with an RFID communication device associated with the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Jochen HAIN, Frank SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 8634950
    Abstract: Automated positioning and alignment methods and systems for aircraft structures use anthropomorphous robots with six degrees of freedom to carry the aero structure parts during the positioning and alignment. The parts and structures (if any) supporting the parts are treated as robot tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignees: Embraer S.A., ITA—Instituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica
    Inventors: Marcos Leandro Simonetti, Luis Gonzaga Trabasso
  • Publication number: 20140012409
    Abstract: A coordinate positioning apparatus including: a coordinate positioning machine having a measuring probe for interacting with an artefact to obtain measurement data regarding the artefact. The measuring probe and artefact are moveable relative to each other in at least one machine degree of freedom. The apparatus further includes a hand-held device, moveable in free-space in a plurality of device degrees of freedom, for controlling movement of the measurement probe relative to the artefact. The hand-held device includes at least one motion sensor for sensing movement of the hand-held device in free-space. The apparatus is configured such that the relative movement of the measurement probe and artefact is controlled by said movement of the hand-held device in free-space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventors: David Roberts McMurtry, Geoffrey McFarland, Matthew James Breckon
  • Patent number: 8600523
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an operation of a coordinate measuring device, at least one operational parameter is determined. One value of the operational parameter is allocated to a plurality of components. A sequence for determining the operational parameter is provided for the majority of the components. The method for determining the operational parameter in the predetermined sequence for each component is now described. It starts with the component that is first in the sequence: i) if the value of the operational parameter is allocated to the component, the value is adopted as a value of the operational parameter that is available for the operation, ii) if no value of the operational parameter is allocated to the components, one available value of the operational parameter that was available until then still remains available, iii) if another component is provided in the sequence, the method is carried out with the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Otto Ruck
  • Patent number: 8588959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a saw including a sawhead pivotably connected to a base. The pivotable connection may define a pivot axis therethrough, wherein the pivot axis may be parallel to the horizontal plane. In addition, the sawhead may rotate around the pivot axis and may be axially displaceable along the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Kevin M. Johnson, Paul C. M. Hilton, Matthew D. Abelson
  • Publication number: 20130268110
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a machining error calculation apparatus for calculating the machining error more precisely through analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kenji Hamada
  • Publication number: 20130253695
    Abstract: A numerical control device for a working machine capable of controlling a tool posture relative to a workpiece using rotational driving of a rotary drive axis about a machine control point includes: an interpolation unit that performs an interpolation process on moving data generated from a machining program and outputs a position of the machine control point for each interpolation point; a coordinate transformation unit that transforms a position of the machine control point to a tool tip-point position; a stroke-limit determination unit that determines whether the position of the machine control point and the tool tip-point position fall within a range of a movable region, and selects and outputs a stroke limit signal indicating a stroke limit and a tool-posture changing command for instructing change of the tool posture; and a tool-posture changing unit that changes the tool posture in response to the tool-posture changing command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukihiro Iuchi, Daisuke Fujino, Naoki Nakamura, Tomonori Sato
  • Patent number: 8543236
    Abstract: A method for blocking an optical lens (10) comprising a moving step in which the optical lens (10) is moved from a first reference position (P1) to a second reference position (P2), so as to be in contact with a blocking material (14), the blocking material (14) being in a molding block (16), the second reference position (P2) being a function of the first reference position (P1), wherein the method further comprises an orienting step in which the optical lens (10) is oriented in the first reference position (P1) and placed on a plurality of pre-located pins (18) which are vertically translated into a preset position (Z1, Z2, Z3), so that, when the optical lens (10) is placed on the plurality of pre-located pins (18), the optical lens (10) is oriented in the first reference position (P1) where the prism of the optical lens (10) corresponds to a desired prism (?f, ?f, Zf).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: David Freson, Yohann Felten, Pascal Thomas, Matthieu Le Gall
  • Patent number: 8543237
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are presented for finding positional relationships and geometrical changes of at least one rotating part attached to or forming part of a machine when the part is in a rotating mode. In the apparatus and method, geometrical changes of the part caused by its state of production and use, determine any locations on the rotating part which exhibit contaminants, and subsequently remove or compensate effects of such contaminants present on the rotating part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Conoptica AS
    Inventors: Gudmunn Slettemoen, Christian Askeland, Espen Stenberg, Torstein Osa Greger, Jean-Philippe Besuchet
  • Publication number: 20130218324
    Abstract: An assembling device which does not use a positioning device for articles to be assembled, nor a feeder mechanism and a pneumatic mechanism for a bolt for assembling. The article assembling device includes a first robot which takes out and aligns a bolt by using a detection result of a first camera; a second robot which grips a first article by using a detection result of a second camera and conveys the first article to a position where the first article can be attached to a second article; and a bolt holding and fastening section which fastens the articles by using the aligned bolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: FANUC CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130211578
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to generate a new tool path quickly by means of a simple calculation formula without calculating an approximated curve and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: MAKINO MILLING MACHINE CO., LTD
    Inventors: Masashi Tanuma, Mitsunari Oda, Takashi Komori, Takahiro Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20130204427
    Abstract: A numerical control device including tapping spindle (S1, S2) time constant selecting means that compares acceleration and deceleration time constants of the S1 and S2 axes and selects the larger time constant, drilling axis (X1) acceleration and deceleration processing means that calculates an acceleration and deceleration movement amount of the X1 axis based on the selected spindle time constant and a commanded spindle rotation number and moves the drilling axis to the calculated position, synchronized tapping interpolation processing means that synchronizes the tapping spindle with the drilling axis based on the movement amount output from the drilling axis (X1) acceleration and deceleration processing means and a pitch, and tapping spindle synchronization processing means that transfers the rotation amount of the tapping spindle output from tapping spindle (S1)-drilling axis (X1) synchronization processing means to the synchronized side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Terada, Masakazu Sagasaki
  • Publication number: 20130197689
    Abstract: A method of forming a cut path that includes the steps of selecting a first image line and a second closed image line surrounding an enclosed area, Overlying the second closed image line on the first image line and identifying a pair of intersections between the first image line and the second closed image line, and making a determination to turn one of right or left at both of the intersections of the pair of intersections to add portions of the second closed image line lying between the intersections with portions of the first image line to form a cut-path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Jason Bulle
  • Patent number: 8489225
    Abstract: A system for performing alignment of two wafers is disclosed. The system comprises an optical coherence tomography system and a wafer alignment system. The wafer alignment system is configured and disposed to control the relative position of a first wafer and a second wafer. The optical coherence tomography system is configured and disposed to compute coordinate data for a plurality of alignment marks on the first wafer and second wafer, and send that coordinate data to the wafer alignment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yongchun Xin, Xu Ouyang, Yunsheng Song, Tso-Hui Ting
  • Patent number: 8478439
    Abstract: A numerical control device includes a primary distribution pulse calculator that calculates primary distribution pulses obtained by distributing movement amounts in first and second directions included in a movement command of a work or a tool for each of predetermined calculation cycles. A secondary distribution pulse calculator calculates, for each movement direction, secondary distribution pulses obtained by distributing the primary distribution pulses of each calculation cycle calculated by the primary distribution pulse calculator, before and after corresponding calculation cycles within ranges of distribution sections across the corresponding calculation cycles and having an acceleration-deceleration time constant of the corresponding movement direction as a section width, and then accumulating the primary distribution pulses for each calculation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Shin Nippon Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobutaka Nishibashi
  • Publication number: 20130151001
    Abstract: Four basic measurements are performed when calibrating a spherical measurement probe fastened to a tool spindle having a fixed longitudinal position along the spindle axis. Moving the measurement probe transversely towards the calibration sphere yields a basic position of the tool spindle relative to an element with an attached calibration sphere, when measurement probe touches the calibration sphere. The measurement probe is rotated about the spindle axis from one basic measurement to the next by the same angle, whereas the orientation of the calibration sphere is maintained for all four basic measurements. Based on the basic positions, a reference position of the tool spindle relative to the element, at which the tool spindle is located above the calibration sphere and the spindle axis goes through a central point of the calibration sphere, is determined and taken into account in further calibration of the measurement probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: ANDREAS HAASE, HOLGER KRETSCHMAR
  • Patent number: 8428768
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: DP Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Francesco Bandini, Roberto Parigi
  • Patent number: 8423171
    Abstract: In a method for processing a workpiece in a tool machine, a first step (Step S4) for continuously measuring a position of a tip portion of a tool attached to a main axis, a second step (Step S5) for computing a displacement amount of the position of the tip point of the tool based on a result of the measurement, a third step (Step S8) for observing a time period while the displace amount is belonged in arrange of allowable displace amount previously determined, a fourth step (Step S9) for keeping an idling operation in case that the time for which the displace amount is belonged in the range of the allowable displacement amount is shorter than a time period previously determined and intermitting the idling operation in the case that the time for which the displace amount is belonged in the range of the allowable displacement amount become the time period previously determined and a fifth step (Step S10) for starting a process with respect to the workpiece in the case that the idling operation is finished are
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikatsu Sato, Shigeru Honda
  • Patent number: 8401691
    Abstract: The present invention provides dynamic metrology methods and systems for: periodically determining an actual position of one or more of a machine and a tool with respect to a workpiece using one or more laser interferometers; tracking a tracked position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece using one or more accelerometers; and altering a controlled position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece when either the actual position or the tracked position of the one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece diverges from a desired position of one or more of the machine and the tool with respect to the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Kevin Scott Smith, Robert J. Hocken
  • Patent number: 8381555
    Abstract: A cutting device is provided which can simultaneously achieve a shorter machining time, lower machining resistance during cutting, and high-precision machining. To be specific, the cutting device of the present invention includes a three-axis tool unit including a first actuator operating in a u direction, a second actuator operating in a v direction orthogonal to the u direction, a third actuator operating in a w direction orthogonal to the u direction and the v direction, a tool holder disposed at the intersection of the u direction, the v direction, and the w direction, a tool mounted in the tool holder, and three sensors for measuring the displacements of the first, second, and third actuators, respectively and feeding back displacement signals representing the measured displacements, wherein the first, second, and third actuators of the three-axis tool unit vibrate so as to perform vibration cutting on a work material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Takahashi, Isao Tashiro
  • Patent number: 8380340
    Abstract: A numerical control apparatus provides for manual shift operation involving feed shafts of a machine tool in terms of a work coordinate system easily and readily understood by an operator. The numerical control apparatus includes a manual shift amount input unit for receiving an amount of manual shift involving linear feed shafts as operator-input data in terms of a work coordinate system defined on the work revolved or rotated by a rotary feed shaft. The numerical control apparatus further includes a manual shift amount cumulative storage for cumulatively storing the received amount of manual shift in terms of a work coordinate system. Also included is a cumulative shift amount coordinate converter for converting the cumulative amount of shift from the work coordinate system data to data in terms of machine coordinate system defined on the machine tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiro Abe
  • Patent number: 8355812
    Abstract: A shaping machine system is presented. The shaping machine system includes a shaping device including at least one jig mount body for mounting a jig for supporting a workpiece, a shaping tool support body for supporting a shaping tool for shaping the workpiece, a first drive device for rotating the shaping tool, and a second drive device for driving at least one of the shaping tool support body, the jig mount body, or to change a posture of the shaping tool relative to the workpiece. The shaping machine system also includes a computer including an input unit for receiving a jig selection, a shaping tool selection, a shape data reading unit for reading shape data representing a shape of the workpiece after shaping, a shaping data producing unit for producing shaping data for controlling the first and the second drive devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Roland DG Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Suyama, Ryo Sato, Yoshimitsu Asahina, Makoto Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8340811
    Abstract: A substrate supporting apparatus includes a pallet on which a substrate is mounted, a pallet double-end holding mechanism holding both ends of the pallet in a diameter direction while the pallet is in a vertical posture, a pallet center holding mechanism rotatably holding a center section of the pallet, and a moving mechanism moving an apparatus body, wherein the pallet double-end holding mechanism is a mechanism that grips both ends of the pallet in the diameter direction from both sides of a thickness direction, the pallet double-end holding mechanism holds the pallet during movement, the pallet is held by both of the holding mechanisms during delivery from the pallet double-end holding mechanism to the pallet center holding mechanism, and the pallet center holding mechanism rotatably holds the center section of the pallet and holding by the pallet double-end holding mechanism is released during substrate processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Majima Kazuyuki, Goshokubo Gen
  • Patent number: 8335589
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for calibrating a semiconductor wafer handling robot and a semiconductor wafer cassette. A robot blade boot is attached to a robot blade of the semiconductor handling robot. The robot blade boot decreases a value of tolerance for the robot blade to move between two semiconductor wafers in the semiconductor wafer cassette. In one embodiment the vertical tolerance is decreased to approximately twenty thousandths of an inch (0.020?) on a top and a bottom of the robot blade boot. The use of the robot blade boot makes the calibration steps more critical and precise. The robot blade boot is removed from the robot blade after the calibration process has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Sarver, Christopher Qualey
  • Patent number: 8265787
    Abstract: Based on the positions of a first marker and a second marker of a first substrate placed on a placing surface of a substrate placing table (1), a substrate processing apparatus makes the direction of a line connecting the first marker and the second marker accord with the moving direction of a gantry (2). The positions of the first marker and a third marker, in the state that the direction of the line connecting the first marker and the second marker accord with the moving direction, are stored in a storage section. After a second substrate is placed on the placing surface of the substrate placing table (1), the direction of a line connecting the first marker and the third marker on the second substrate is made to accord with the direction of a line connecting the first marker and the third marker calculated from the position of the third marker and the fourth marker on the first substrate stored in the storage section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kojiro Morii
  • Patent number: 8255064
    Abstract: A computer numerical control (CNC) machine includes a case, a communication plug, a first switch, a number of second switches, and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a first switch control unit to receive a first switch signal from the first switch, a second switch control unit to receive second switch signals from the second switches, a control unit, a command signal converting unit, a pulse signal generating unit, and an operation signal output unit. The control unit receives the first and second switch signals, determines the work mode of the CNC machine according to the first switch signal, and convert the second switch signals to command signals. The command signal converting unit converts the command signals into operation signals. The pulse signal generating unit generates pulse signals. The operation signal output unit outputs the operation signals and the pulse signals to the CNC machine via the communication plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Foxnum Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-Ku Chen, Yueh-Hsun King
  • Publication number: 20120215342
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jie Gu, Sheri K. Kurgin, Paula J. Deeds
  • Patent number: 8244396
    Abstract: The turning machine according to the present invention includes a displacement sensor (200) which measures a distance between an immobile reference point and a position of variable point which reflects the positional displacement of the tool, the immobile reference point being able to determine a relative positional correlation relating to a variable position of tools with the progress of machining of the workpiece (W) by the tool (421). In drawings the reference point is set up in the guide bush (90). And based on the measured result by the displacement sensor, the tool is moved so that the center height of the tool and the center line of the workpiece satisfy relatively the predetermined positional correlation. Accordingly, the center height deviation amount due to heat deformation and the like is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Tsugami Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Terai, Takao Tatemi, Hidenori Sato, Hiroaki Kazama
  • Patent number: 8224477
    Abstract: A control system is provided for each pair of a work fixing part and a work machining part. In each control system, a work receiving program block, a work machining program block and a work discharge program block are provided, and the work machining program block starts on the condition that the work receiving program block ends and the work discharge block program starts on the condition that the work machining program block ends. The work receiving program block is associated with the work supply program of the work supply apparatus, or the work discharge program block is associated with a work transfer program of a work transfer apparatus so that a command is issued to the work receiving program block or the work discharge program block, and a command to perform a cue of the head of the program of each control system is provided at the last part of the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8190287
    Abstract: Time information t and positional information about each axis are obtained, and the three-dimensional coordinates of tool center point Pe at time t are calculated to display the path of the tool center point Pe at time t. Then, whether a fixed time has elapsed or not is decided. If the fixed time has elapsed, the coordinates of the tool vector start point Ps at time t are calculated to display a line segment connecting between tool vector start point Ps and tool center point Pe, which is the end point of the tool vector. This display enables the orientation of the tool at each tool center point to be grasped at a glance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasusuke Iwashita, Tadashi Okita, Junichi Tezuka, Kazuyuki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8180481
    Abstract: A system and method for operating an autoloop system on an electrical distribution system is provided. The system includes a first branch circuit having a first recloser and a midpoint recloser and a second branch circuit having a second feeder recloser and a midpoint recloser. A tie recloser is electrically coupled between the first branch circuit and the second branch circuit wherein the tie recloser closes only after a fault is detected. A master controller associated with the first and second branch circuits communicates with the reclosers of the first and second branch circuits. The master controller includes a processor for blocking a fast tripping function of a feeder recloser in response to the detection of a fault on the other branch circuit. The portion of a circuit where a fault is detected may be isolated to minimize the portion of the first and second branch circuits without power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul V. Stergiou, William J. Harris
  • Patent number: 8180477
    Abstract: A machining status monitoring apparatus is provided on a machine tool, and has an actual CCD camera for imaging the tool and the workpiece and generating actual two-dimensional image data thereof, a virtual image generating section having a virtual CCD camera corresponding to the actual CCD camera, in which the tool and workpiece of three-dimensional model are imaged by the virtual CCD camera and virtual two-dimensional image data thereof are generated, and a display control section for receiving from a control device of the machine tool, information relating to the coolant supply state and checking whether coolant is being supplied to the contact portion of the tool and the workpiece, and displaying on a display device actual two-dimensional image data when coolant is not being supplied and displaying on the display device virtual two-dimensional image data when coolant is being supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Mori, Xiaodong Tian, Bingyan Zhao, Makoto Fujishima, Zhe Jin
  • Patent number: 8180476
    Abstract: The present invention provides a machining state checking apparatus and method for checking whether a workpiece mounted on a machine tool and a workpiece fixture are shifted. A machining state checking apparatus has an actual CCD camera for imaging a workpiece fixed on a machine tool and a workpiece fixture and generating actual two-dimensional image data thereof, a virtual image generating section for generating virtual two-dimensional image data of the workpiece and workpiece fixture based on data on three-dimensional models of the workpiece and workpiece fixture, a comparing section for comparing the actual two-dimensional image data and virtual two-dimensional image data generated by the actual CCD camera and the virtual image generating section, respectively, and determining whether they match each other by comparing the portions corresponding to the workpiece and workpiece fixture in the actual two-dimensional image and the virtual two-dimensional images of the workpiece and workpiece fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mori Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Mori, Xiaodong Tian, Bingyan Zhao, Makoto Fujishima, Zhe Jin
  • Publication number: 20120116571
    Abstract: A cutting machine for cutting metal, comprising: an understructure, rails (8), a driving trolley (2), a driven trolley (3), a cross beam (1), a transverse driving device (4), a hoisting device (6), a tow chain (9), a rail cleaning device (11), a torch support (10) and a software control system. The rails (8) with a circular cross section are parallel mounted on the understructure, and the driving trolley (2) and the driven trolley (3) move synchronously on the rails (8). An automatic longitudinal adjusting device (7) is provided at the driving trolley (2) and at one end of the drawn cross beam (1), and the driven trolley (3) is rigidly connected to the other end of the cross beam (1). Longitudinal driving devices (5) are installed symmetrically at the lower parts of the driving trolley (2) and the driven trolley (3). The longitudinal driving devices (5) comprise rack and pinion and guiding mechanisms for adjusting the distance between the rack and the gear by elastically sliding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Dalian Huarui Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Baolin Sun, Haifeng Ni, Qingzhang Wang
  • Patent number: 8170697
    Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating damage to a vehicle and controlling a vehicle repair process to bring all aspects of the damaged vehicle back within manufacturer's specification during repair. Processes for evaluating, measuring and repairing specified reference points on a vehicle are described. The processes include an incremental examination and repair of affiliated reference points to bring them back into specified positions with respect to a datum, each other and the centerline of the vehicle. The processes also include the determinations of the three-dimensional dislocations of reference points from their specified positions and make a three-dimensional determination of a force vector to direct the application of force to return each reference point to its specified position. A computer system implementing the vehicle control processes provides automated or semi-automated systems of vehicle repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventor: Gregory E. Marion
  • Patent number: 8165713
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for milling a desired pocket in a solid workpiece uses an abrasive fluid-jet by moving and suitably orienting the abrasive fluid-jet relative to the workpiece. The method includes defining a path of the abrasive fluid-jet necessary to mill a desired pocket in the solid workpiece. The path is defined by a number of parameters. The parameters include a translation velocity, a fluid pressure, and an abrasive fluid-jet position and orientation relative to the workpiece. Generating a command set is according to the defined path and is configured to drive a computer numerical control manipulator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Ormond, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel G. Alberts, Nicholas Cooksey, Thomas J. Butler, Peter J. Miles
  • Patent number: 8155770
    Abstract: Metrology data associated with a plurality of workpieces processed at a selected operation in the process flow including a plurality of operations is retrieved. A processing context associated with each of the workpieces is determined. The processing context identifies at least one previous tool used to perform an operation on the associated workpiece prior to the selected operation. A plurality of performance metrics is determined for a plurality of tools capable of performing the selected operation based on the metrology data. Each performance metric is associated with a particular tool and a particular processing context. A set of the performance metrics is identified for the plurality of tools having a processing context matching a processing context of a selected workpiece awaiting performance of the selected operation. The selected workpiece is dispatched for processing in a selected one of the plurality of tools based on the set of performance metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Barlovic, Uwe Schulze, Jan Raebiger, Joerg Weigang, Jens Busch, Rolf Seltmann
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8147494
    Abstract: An osteotomy resection procedure for removing a wedge from a bone utilizing a localization device. The localization device being used to track reference points associated with the bone, track surgical instruments, perform calculations to determine a resection angle for the wedge, and assist a surgeon in performing the procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Francois Leitner, Jean-Baptiste Pinzuti
  • Patent number: 8145347
    Abstract: In a numerical control apparatus, a rotation-axis filtering processor subjects an angle change amount between interpolation points between rotation angles of a rotation axis to moving average filtering thereby smoothing the angle change amount between the interpolation points. A translation-axis timing synchronization unit subjects a moving amount between interpolation points between tool-tip positions of a translation axis to moving average filtering, to synchronize timing of rotation of the rotation axis being smoothed and timing of movement of the translation axis. A coordinate transformation unit transforms the tool-tip position into coordinates of a machine position of the translation axis according to a configuration of the machine tool, from each tool-tip position after timing synchronization between axes of the translation axis is performed and from each rotation angle of the rotation axis after being filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Nakamura, Tomonori Sato
  • Patent number: 8140178
    Abstract: In a simultaneous multi-axis measuring machine tool system including linear drive axes and rotation axes to measure a surface shape of an object to be measured by using an on-board measuring device having a probe mounted, at one end thereof, with a spherical contactor, a numerical controller controls driving of the linear drive axes and the rotation axes so that a central axis of the probe is always oriented in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the object to be measured and that the spherical contactor of the probe comes in contact with and follows a surface of the object to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Yonpyo Hon, Kenzo Ebihara, Akira Yamamoto, Masayuki Hamura
  • Patent number: 8126587
    Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing and processing information of electronic parts includes a seating unit on which electronic parts are seated and aligned and a part information processing unit disposed adjacent to the seating unit. The part information processing unit is configured to align the electronic parts using the seating unit, recognize a recognition surface of the electronic parts, obtaining part information of the recognized surface, and store the obtained part information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ja-Hyun Koo, Man-Hee Lee, Sun-Jeong Kang
  • Patent number: 8126586
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and machine tools for processing workpieces, in which a workpiece and one or more processing tools are moved relative to each other with a positioning movement, an outward-stroke movement, and a return-stroke movement. In the positioning movement, the workpiece and the processing tool are positioned relative to each other in a positioning direction, in a return-stroke movement the workpiece and the processing tool are moved relative to each other and away from each other in a return-stroke direction transverse to the positioning direction, and in the outward-stroke movement the workpiece and the processing tool are moved relative to each other and towards each other in an outward-stroke direction transverse to the positioning direction. The return-stroke movement and the outward-stroke movement are executed during the positioning movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Bressler, Peter Demel, Michael Krutzke
  • Patent number: 8121720
    Abstract: A tool-path calculation apparatus for a numerical controlled system and a method for operating the same are applied to a CNC tool machine. The tool-path calculation apparatus includes an upper controller and a servo driver. Firstly, an interpreter is provided to interpret the tool paths to produce a plurality of executable instructions. Afterward, the executable instructions are sent from the upper controller to the servo driver through a serial communication interface and stored in a queue buffer. Finally, the executable instructions are received and calculated by a tool path calculator to produce a plurality of points along the tool paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ching-Shiong Tsai
  • Publication number: 20120035758
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for coating an elongated work-piece (20), particularly for painting or impregnating a joined wooden workpiece, having at least one nozzle (14) directed toward the workpiece (20), wherein the nozzle (14) is disposed on a holder (11) aligned substantially perpendicular to the workpiece longitudinal axis and being suspended in a frame (17), and preferably being disposed in a rotating assembly (12). The invention further comprises a method for coating an elongated, rod-shaped work-piece (20) and a system (40), comprising the device (10), and on which the method according to the invention can be carried out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Armin Hummel
  • Patent number: 8112173
    Abstract: A position ensuring system includes an A-axis calibration system which measures a displacement angle, which is an error between a target value and a measured value of the pivot angle of the spindle head about the A-axis, and corrects the pivot angle about the A-axis in such a manner that the displacement angle as measured with the corrected pivot angle as a target value fall within a tolerable range. A corrected data storage device stores the corrected pivot angle about the A-axis. An A-axis control system reads out the corrected pivot angle about the A-axis, the corrected pivot angle about the A-axis to pivot the spindle head when executing oblique machining of the inclined hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouichi Katoh, Takamasa Itoh
  • Patent number: 8090468
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: MAG IAS, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Douglas Kohring