Alignment Of Tool Or Workpiece (e.g., Origin Or Path Return) Patents (Class 700/192)
-
Patent number: 8078295Abstract: A method for controlling acceleration and deceleration before interpolating is provided. The method includes steps of previewing and analyzing a processing program to estimate a limitation of a processing velocity and distributing a processing velocity according to the limitation. The step of previewing and analyzing a processing program includes sub-steps of providing the processing program including a pathway formed by plural blocks, unitizing the motion vector of each block into the unit vector ( N ^ i = N _ i ? N _ i ? ) , calculating a length (DVi=?{right arrow over (DV)}i?) of a vector difference in the unit vectors between each block and its next block ({right arrow over (DV)}i={circumflex over (N)}i?{circumflex over (N)}i+1), calculating a sum of the length of the vector difference in a distance from a starting block (S=?DVn), and calculating the limitation of the processing velocity for an end of each block (Vlim) according to an inverse ratio of the sum (1/S).Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2009Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Chin-Chu Sun, Shih-Chang Liang, Wan-Kun Chang, Yung-Ming Kao, Cheng-Yu Chen
-
Publication number: 20110295408Abstract: A process for accurately determining a workpiece position in relation to a reference coordinate system is provided. The process includes providing a machine having a table and a machine coordinate system, determining locations of three reference geometric aspects of the table, providing a workpiece, and attaching the workpiece to the table. Thereafter, locations of three geometrical aspects of the workpiece are determined using photogrammetry followed by calculation of any offset between the three reference geometrical aspects of the table and the three geometrical aspects of the workpiece. Any offset that has been determined can then be used to accurately determine the workpiece position in relation to the reference coordinate system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2010Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Max Christopher Burgel, Brian R. Dickinson
-
Patent number: 8069004Abstract: Systems comprising generating devices comprising sensors for generating sensor signals representing orientations of the generating devices are provided with comparing devices comprising comparators for comparing the sensor signals with reference signals for interpreting the orientations, to increase the number of possible applications. The generating devices and the comparing devices may form parts of one apparatus or of different apparatuses and then communicate wiredly or wirelessly via radio or infrared. Reference sensors for generating the reference signals and/or reference memories for storing the reference signals may be located in the comparing devices and/or in sources and then communicate wiredly or wirelessly via radio or infrared. Further comparators in the comparing devices may introduce adjustable sensitivities.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2006Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventors: Hans Boeve, Teunis Jan Ikkink, Victor Van Acht
-
Patent number: 8055360Abstract: A system and method of aligning a stent with a stent support involves taking two images of the stent that has been placed on the stent support and determining from the two images whether the stent is aligned with the stent support. The stent can be rotated so that the two images are of different views of the stent. A computer can be configured to receive the images and to determine the whether the stent is aligned. A backlight can be used to take images of the stent in silhouette. A portion of the stent support can be re-positioned based on an image taken of the stent.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2010Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignees: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.Inventors: Sang joon Park, Shaulaine Choo, Anthony S. Andreacchi, Yung-Ming Chen, Arnoldo M. Currlin, Antonio Garcia, Jason Van Sciver, Thomas David Esbeck, Bryan D. Glenn
-
Patent number: 8019460Abstract: A numerical controller having a function-generating unit which executes function generation for shaft movement according to a machining program is provided, the numerical controller further comprising a unit which stores shape data of the movable unit and shape data of an interfering structure; a retracting direction determining unit which determines a retracting direction; an interference checking position calculating unit which successively calculates, as an interference checking position, a position in which a desired distance is added to the current position of the movable unit according to the determined retracting direction; an interference confirming unit which confirms presence or absence of interference between the shape data of the movable unit and the shape data of the interfering structure by virtually moving the shape data of the movable unit; and a power outage detecting unit which sends a power outage signal to a DC power supply unit and the function-generating unit during power outage, whereinType: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Okuma CorporationInventors: Noritaka Akaiwa, Koji Eba
-
Patent number: 8011281Abstract: A punching device includes a detecting unit, a punching unit, a moving unit, a storage unit, and a controlling unit. The detecting unit detects a lateral edge position of a recording medium to obtain edge position data. When the edge position data does not indicate an error value, the edge position data is stored in the storage unit as reference data. The controlling unit determines, when the edge position data indicates an error value, a movement amount of the punching unit based on reference data previously obtained and stored in the storage unit. The moving unit moves the punching unit by the movement amount in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Makoto Hidaka, Akira Kunieda, Junichi Tokita, Hitoshi Hattori, Ichiro Ichihashi, Kazuhiro Kobayashi, Masahiro Tamura, Tomoichi Nomura, Hiroshi Maeda, Nobuyoshi Suzuki, Tomohiro Furuhashi, Shuuya Nagasako, Naohiro Kikkawa
-
Patent number: 8009896Abstract: A coplanarity inspection device for a printed circuit board includes a base, a supporting disk, a driver, a printed circuit board, a light source, an image acquisition means, and a controller. The supporting disk is arranged on the base, and the driver rotates the supporting disk. The printed circuit board is placed on the supporting disk, and includes a to-be measured side facing downward. The light source projects light beams on the to-be measured side of the printed circuit board. The image acquisition means aims at a specific area of the to-be measured side for image acquisition. The controller is to control the driver, and to store image taken by the image acquisition means. As such, the coplanarity inspection device for a printed circuit board can be employed to inspect whether the coplanarity of the printed circuit board satisfies the standard of setting values in a certain range.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: King Yuan Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chiu-Fang Chang
-
Publication number: 20110166693Abstract: A main control process is made common to all machine tools by describing in a NC program a tool trajectory including a change in posture in a coordinate system (30) fixed to a machining object (W), fixedly arranging a preparatory reference coordinate system (20) on a machine table (2), representing an installation position of the machining object (W) and a position of a spindle (91) on which a tool (11) is mounted in the preparatory reference coordinate system (20), and containing portions relating to a configuration of axes in a conversion function group of correlation between the position (q) of the spindle (91) and an axis coordinate (r). Thus, the processes of reading the NC program, correction of the tool trajectory and conversion into the trajectory of a spindle position based on the installation position of the machining object, the tool shape, and tool dimensions are made completely common.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2008Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: SHIN NIPPON KOKI CO., LTD.Inventor: Nobutaka Nishibashi
-
Publication number: 20110153057Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: SHIN NIPPON KOKI CO., LTD.Inventor: Nobutaka Nishibashi
-
Patent number: 7941240Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kouichi Katoh, Takamasa Itoh
-
Patent number: 7937182Abstract: By coordinating the amount and course of the crowning of the tool and the diagonal ratio, a twist is created with a simple tool, and superimposed on the natural twist, thus resulting in the twist required for the work piece. Furthermore, an additional portion of the crowning is superimposed on the portion of the crowning of the work piece which is the result of the crowning of the tool during the machining in the diagonal method, thus resulting in the required crowning of the work piece, with the additional portion of the crowning being generated by changing the spacing between tool and work piece during the machining.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Gleason-Pfauter Maschinenfabrik GmbHInventor: Ingo Faulstich
-
Publication number: 20110087363Abstract: Systems, processes, articles of manufacture, and techniques may be used to facilitate the machining of a surface. In particular implementations, machining a surface may include machining a first surface location with an end effector that is part of a cart movable over the surface. Machining the surface may also include measuring the position of the end effector with a laser tracking system and generating commands for an actuator that positions the end effector. The commands may be based on the position of the end effector and a stored representation of a shape to be achieved by machining.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: Furmanite Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: George Petrescu, James Edd Wheeler
-
Patent number: 7905691Abstract: An ultra-precision machine tool capable of accurately detecting a machining start position, in which movable axes are supported by fluid bearings. A workpiece is mounted on a rotary table of a B axis, and the rotary table is mounted on an X axis that is a linear motion axis. A tool is mounted on a Y axis. The Y axis is mounted on a Z axis. The X axis is moved reciprocally each time the Z axis is moved a predetermined amount, a machining surface of the workpiece is scanned, and it is determined whether or not position deviation of the X, Y and B axes reaches or exceeds a reference value. The Y axis is driven and the tool is moved toward the workpiece a predetermined amount, and the above-described scan is performed.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Fanu LtdInventors: Yonpyo Hon, Kenzo Ebihara, Tomohiko Kawai
-
Patent number: 7899572Abstract: The machining of drills (1) includes an operation for chamfering the cutting edges (8) performed in two steps. In the first step the rotating grindstone (15) is directed to various locations of the cutting edge (8) and the point of contact is detected by an electronic appliance (17) whereof the electronic module (19) controls the stoppage of the grindstone, its return to the starting position and the recording of the position of the grindstone at the time of contact. In the second step the grindstone (15) is controlled to follow the left line obtained by connecting the points registered during the first step.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Rollomatic SAInventor: Patrick Fritschy
-
Patent number: 7894930Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: DP Technology, Corp.Inventors: Francesco Bandini, Roberto Parigi
-
Patent number: 7869895Abstract: Illustrative computer-executable methods, systems, and computer software program products compute orientation alignment transfer tool location. Orientation of at least one aerodynamically significant feature of an as-built airplane is automatically determined. Orientation of an orientation monument for the as-built airplane is automatically determined from the determined orientation of the at least one aerodynamically significant feature of the as-built airplane, and motion to align an orientation alignment transfer tool with the determined orientation of the orientation monument is automatically determined.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Alan K. Jones
-
Patent number: 7869898Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for adjusting the relative position and/or relative movement between a workpiece and a tool of a machine tool in the direction of an axis. An actuating variable for a basic axis comprising one or more drives is generated in the first controller of a basic axis control system, an actuating variable for a higher-dynamic additional axis comprising a drive is generated in a second controller of an additional axis control system, and a third actuating variable, which is fed both to the additional axis control system and to the basic axis control system, is generated in a third controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KGInventor: Wolfgang Scholich-Tessmann
-
Patent number: 7859655Abstract: A first method determines a position of a point of interest on a target object surface in a target object coordinate system using orientation and distance measurements of a pointing instrument in an instrument coordinate system. A second method determines an orientation of a pointing instrument in an instrument coordinate system for the instrument to be aligned with a point of interest on a target object surface having a target object coordinate system, wherein a position of the point of interest in the target object coordinate system is known. A third method controls orientation of a laser beam of a laser in an instrument coordinate system for the laser beam to trace an image on a target object surface having a target object coordinate system, wherein positions of points for the image on the surface of the target object in the target object coordinate system are known.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: James J. Troy, Scott W. Lea, Gary E. Georgeson, Jeffrey M. Hansen
-
Patent number: 7860601Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for quickly characterizing the profile of a surface of a processed workpiece using a non-contact scanner, such as a laser scanner, in preparation for subsequent machining. The method determines the location of a plurality of features of a processed workpiece on a machine tool, and includes steps of reading a first list of approximate feature locations, defining a scan path based on the first list, scanning a profile of the workpiece along the scan path and calculating an actual location of each feature of the plurality of features based on the profile. The system and method are well suited to determine the location of features such as holes in welder header boxes.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Quickmill, Inc.Inventors: David C. Piggott, Andy Chik Hung Wong
-
Patent number: 7850406Abstract: A method for setting a working origin for a rotary tool in contact with a work piece to be machined, having: applying to a main spindle which holds the rotary tool, with a tip of a cutting edge of the rotary tool in contact with an outer surface of the work piece fixed to a work table, a load torque to such an extent that the rotary tool is not caused to be rotated; applying the load torque to the main spindle, and moving either the work table or the main spindle in a jog feed in a direction of any one of feed shafts such that the tip of the cutting edge is moved away from the outer surface along an axial direction of the rotary tool or in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction; and setting a coordinate at the moment when the main spindle starts rotation as a working origin of the jog feed in the direction of the any one of the feed shafts.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Fanuc LtdInventors: Tomohiko Kawai, Kenzo Ebihara, Yonpyo Hon
-
Patent number: 7853351Abstract: A CNC machine tool deflection compensation system intergrated in a CNC machine tool Controller for providing continuous, accurate, real-time compensation for unintended and/or undesired axis coordinate deflections from a preprogrammed path of tool movement in a coordinate plane, so as to ensure that the tool remains on its programmed path irrespective of such deflections capable of continuously detecting, in real-time, the presence, magnitude an rate of change of such undesired deflections and simulataneoulsy genereating instrtuctions to initiate equal and opposite deflections at the same rate of change, thereby ensuring that the tool remains on its preprogrammed path irrespective of the inherently occuring undesired deflection and/or the precipitating causes(s) thereof. The algorithms empolyed provide for automatic gouge avoidance protection and/or relocation of the tool to safe positions when necessary.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Inventor: Gary John Corey
-
Patent number: 7853340Abstract: A method for aligning a stent with a stent support includes the steps of (1) placing a stent support and a stent mounted on the stent support in a vertically position with the stent support's first support element at a lower position and the stent support's second support element at an upper position; (2) obtaining a digital image of the stent support and stent; (3) analyzing the digital image of the stent support and stent to compute the vertical position of the stent's upper end; (4) computing a desired position of the second support element based on the position of the stent's upper end; and (5) using a positioning device to move the second support element to the desired position. The movement of the second support element causes the conical sections of the first and second support elements to engage the respective ends of the stent to center the stent around a core element of the stent support and to secure the stent in a longitudinal direction of the stent support.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignees: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.Inventors: Sang joon Park, Shaulaine Choo, Anthony S. Andreacchi, Yung-Ming Chen, Arnoldo M. Currlin, Antonio Garcia, Jason Van Sciver, Thomas David Esbeck, Bryan D. Glenn
-
Patent number: 7847704Abstract: A method for transmitting signals from a position measuring arrangement to an evaluation unit, the method including transmitting position signals, reference pulses, and warning signals indicating a malfunction state from a position measuring arrangement for determining the position of two elements of a machine which are movable relative to each other, to an evaluation unit. The method further includes logically interconnecting the reference pulses with the position signals in such a way that, in a malfunction-free state, a valid status combination for outputting the reference pulses and an invalid status combination for outputting the reference pulses appear in each period. The method including transmitting warning signals indicating a malfunction state during the invalid status combination of the position signals and the reference pulses which, in the malfunction-free state, is invalid for outputting the reference pulses.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbHInventors: Johannes Wagner, Elmar Mayer
-
Patent number: 7831332Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 29, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Surfware, Inc.Inventor: Alan Diehl
-
Patent number: 7830374Abstract: A system for integrating dispersed point-clouds of an object is provided. The system includes a fixture for fixing an object, a measurement machine to scan all surfaces of the object and a computer. The fixture, which has three reference balls, is 360-degree rotatable. The computer includes a point-cloud reading module, a sphere fitting module, a computing module, a matching module and an aligning module. The system utilizes three reference objects to integrate dispersed point-clouds of multiple scans of the object, restore original space location relations of the point-clouds, so as to obtain a complete space point-cloud of the object with simple operation and higher precision. A related method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chih-Kuang Chang, Xin-Yuan Wu
-
Publication number: 20100262274Abstract: A machining tool for speeding the transfer of workpieces among a plurality of spindles, downsizing the machine and facilitating maintenance, includes a plurality of spindles and a plurality of tool rests. The spindles are juxtaposed movably in the X-axis direction and each of the tool rests is disposed on an end surface of the spindle. The workpiece is machined by moving the spindle in the X-axis direction and moving the spindle and the tool rest relatively in the Z-axis direction. A workpiece holder between the neighboring two spindles and the moving ranges of the neighboring spindles in the X-axis direction are set to include a position where the spindles face the workpiece holder so that the workpiece may be transferred among the spindles and the workpiece holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2008Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: CITIZEN MACHINERY CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroshi Kasuya
-
Patent number: 7813830Abstract: A drilling machine drills at a multiplicity of target locations on a component. Two robots, calibrated with calibration data, move the component in a 6-D coordinate system. A metrology system ascertains the position of the component relative to the drilling machine. The movement of the robots is effected by commands generated by off-line programming. The component is moved relative to the drilling machine to a target position, ready for drilling, by a closed-loop process in which the differences in position between the expected position (the target position) and the actual position (as viewed by the metrology system) are corrected.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Airbus UK LimitedInventors: Mark Derren Summers, Roger Holden, Brett Jason Green
-
Patent number: 7809464Abstract: The invention relates to a registration system for sheet fed processing machines that reduces or eliminates the need to calibrate the register and/or timing dials of such a machine. The system uses known measurements and the elapsed time between electrically generated pulses to determine the relative position of processing cylinders in the machine relative the timing of a feed mechanism. The relative positions are displayed in real-time and can be adjusted by an operator. The machine need not be ‘in time’ to properly register the machine.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2006Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Mikowen Industries, LLCInventor: Mike Owen
-
Patent number: 7792604Abstract: The present invention relates to navigation of a path by a moving object, and, more particularly, to motion control systems for computer-controllable machine tools.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Hurco Companies, Inc.Inventors: Jiawei Hong, Xiaonan Tan
-
Patent number: 7792622Abstract: The method and system for vehicular guidance comprises an imaging device for collecting color image data to facilitate distinguishing crop image data (e.g., crop rows) from background data. A definer defines a series of scan line segments generally perpendicular to a transverse axis of the vehicle or of the imaging device. An intensity evaluator determines scan line intensity data for each of the scan line segments. An alignment detector (e.g., search engine) identifies a preferential heading of the vehicle that is generally aligned with respect to a crop feature, associated with the crop image data, based on the determined scan line intensity meeting or exceeding a maximum value or minimum threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignees: Deere & Company, Kansas State University Research FoundationInventors: Jiantao Wei, Shufeng Han
-
Patent number: 7774083Abstract: Methods and systems for position sensing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes measuring at least three discrete point positions associated with a first component using at least one transmitter having a known position and orientation and in a line of sight with the three discrete point positions, the three discrete point positions having known distances relative to one another. The method computes a current position and orientation of the first component using data provided by the at least one transmitter and the three discrete point positions, along with position and orientation data from a last known location of the first component assuming that no sudden position changes since the first component has moved from the last known location. The first and second components may be a workpiece and a tool that performs a manufacturing operation on the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Philip L. Freeman, John R. Dworschak, Joseph C. Marsh
-
Publication number: 20100168901Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool, wherein the machine (1) comprises a control device (18) for controlling the movement of machine axes (3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9) of the machine (1), the machine (1) comprising an operating device (11) having a longitudinal axis (12), wherein the device can be held by a person, wherein the spatial orientation of the longitudinal axis (12) is determined, wherein the movement of at least one machine axis is controlled by the control device (18) such that the spatial orientation of a tool (7) or of a work piece (2) substantially agrees with the spatial orientation of the longitudinal axis (12) of the control device (11). The invention enables easy alignment of a tool (7) and/or of a work piece (2) in a machine tool (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2008Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Andreas Grozinger
-
Publication number: 20100138030Abstract: A system for calibrating a handling apparatus relative to a workpiece comprises a handling apparatus having at least one tool and at least one measuring arrangement configured to record at least one controlled variable; and a regulatory device configured to determine at least two faces in a multidimensional space and to provide a resultant line of intersection for the at least two faces as a trajectory coordinates using the at least one controlled variable when the at least one workpiece is moved by the at least one measuring arrangement, thereby providing an optimized trajectory profile for implementation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2007Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: ABB AGInventors: Martin Kohlmaier, Rainer Krappinger
-
Patent number: 7708517Abstract: A workpiece transfer system or method is provided for transferring workpieces one set of pallets to another set of pallets using a workpiece transfer device that is movably attached to a robot. The workpiece transfer device uses mechanical devices to align the workpiece relative to the robot so that different types of workpieces can be placed into a pallet without the need of troublesome, expensive and complex image processing in which the workpiece holding positions are processed as images by using an imaging device such as a visual sensor. Preferably, the workpiece transfer device cooperates with a positional adjustment part such that the workpiece that is held by the transfer device contacts the the positional adjustment part to position the workpiece in a depthwise direction of the workpiece, a widthwise direction of the workpiece and a longitudinal direction of the workpiece.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Setsuo Nakamura, Shouji Nishimaki, Kenji Masumo, Yoshiharu Honda, Masayoshi Naito, Yuta Motohashi
-
Patent number: 7706908Abstract: The invention relates to a method for positioning a wafer (3) with a reference mark (6) in a vacuum processing unit with a transport chamber containing a transport device (2, 20, 21) for moving the wafers (3) in a plane to a process chamber arranged on said chamber and a single sensor (1), arranged within the transport chamber before the process chamber for recording the position of the wafer (3) by means of recording the edge thereof at a first detection point (4) and a second detection point (5), such that the actual position of the wafer (12) with a known wafer diameter can be determined with electronic analysis of both measured detection points (4, 5) and the transport device (2, 20, 21) guides the wafer (3) to a desired set position.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2006Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: OC Oerlikon Balzers AGInventors: Bart Scholte Van Mast, Holger Christ, Ruedi Schmucki
-
Patent number: 7693588Abstract: The present invention relates to navigation of a path by a moving object, and, more particularly, to motion control systems for computer-controllable machine tools.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Hurco Companies, Inc.Inventors: Jiawei Hong, Xiaonan Tan
-
Publication number: 20100076589Abstract: A numerical control device includes a substrate, an adjusting unit, a machine tool, a workpiece holder, a distance measuring component and a control unit. The adjusting unit is movably positioned on the substrate. The machine tool is positioned on one side of the adjusting unit and has a distal end. The workpiece holder is positioned on the substrate and faces the machine tool. The distance measuring component is aligned with the machine tool and the workpiece holder. The control unit is electrically coupled to the distance measuring component and the adjusting unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: Bi-Hui Hu
-
Patent number: 7684916Abstract: An imaging device collects color image data to facilitate distinguishing crop image data from background data. A definer defines a series of scan line segments generally perpendicular to a transverse axis of the vehicle or of the imaging device. An intensity evaluator determines scan line intensity data for each of the scan line segments. An alignment detector identifies a preferential heading of the vehicle that is generally aligned with respect to a crop feature, associated with the crop image data, based on the determined scan line intensity meeting or exceeding a maximum value or minimum threshold value. A reliability estimator estimates a reliability of the vehicle heading based on compliance with an intensity level criteria associated with one or more crop rows.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2005Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignees: Deere & Company, Kansas State University Research FoundationInventors: Jiantao Wei, Shufeng Han
-
Patent number: 7680551Abstract: An industrial robot includes a first member, a positioning member arranged to be attached to the first member, a second member arranged to rotate relative to the first member, and a first joint for coupling the first member with the second member. The second member has a contact point arranged to contact the positioning member. An indication for requesting to enable the positioning member to contact the contact point is displayed. The second member rotates at the first joint relatively to the first member while the positioning member can contact the contact point. It is detected whether or not the contact point of the second member contacts the positioning member. A position of the second member is stored as an origin when it is detected that the contact point of the second member contacts the positioning member. This method prevents a possible failure of the attaching of the positioning member, and decreases a work load on an operator.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Tatsuya Ikeda, Hiroyuki Nakata, Seiji Iwai
-
Patent number: 7676298Abstract: A method of precision surface re-profiling of a composite polymeric component comprising a region capable of being re-profiled, comprising the steps of locating the polymeric composite component with a formable surface relative to a supporting fixture, the thickness of component comprising the formable surface being greater than the desired final thickness in a region to be re-profiled, moving a forming head into position into contact with the formable surface of the composite component with the aid of precision location or measurement sensors, causing the formable surface of the component to flow under the tool and creating a precisely defined local thickness or profile of component under the forming tool, and moving the forming head along the region of the component to be re-profiled, while maintaining the forming tool at a predetermined height profile or while leaving the re-profiled component with a predetermined thickness profile.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2006Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: CRC for Advanced Composite Structures LimitedInventor: Andrew Beehag
-
Publication number: 20090326705Abstract: A system for cutting a given portion of a surface of a core insert includes a piezoelectric actuator, a turning tool, a rotating member, a driving unit and a numerically-controlled unit. The controlling unit stores coordinates of the storing coordinates of each point on the given portion of the surface in a predetermined coordinate system, and compares the instant coordinates of the cutting portion of the turning tool with the stored coordinates of the given portion, thus controlling the piezoelectric actuator to drive the turning tool to cut the given portion of the surface if the coordinates of the cutting portion of the turning tool match with the stored coordinates of any point on the given portion of the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2008Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Wen-Ssu Chiu, Kun-Jung Tsai
-
Publication number: 20090312862Abstract: A method for controlling a height of a cutting torch, includes loading a workpiece onto a numerical control machine, scanning the workpiece with a scanning device at a plurality of discrete points on an upper surface of the workpiece, measuring an X-, a Y-, and a Z-coordinate for each respective one of the scanned discrete points, where X and Y define a plane substantially parallel to the loaded workpiece and Z represents a distance between the upper surface and the scanning device at a respective discrete point, storing the measured XYZ coordinates from each of the scanned discrete points into a data set, mathematically fitting the stored data set to a smooth surface representative of the upper surface of the loaded workpiece, and cutting the workpiece along a cutting path programmed into the numerical control machine, while controlling the cutting torch height to correspond to the representative smooth surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Inventor: Matthew Fagan
-
Publication number: 20090271027Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2007Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: Tsugami CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Terai, Takao Tatemi, Hidenori Sato, Hiroaki Kazama
-
Patent number: 7606625Abstract: A method for aligning a stent with a stent support includes the steps of (1) placing a stent support and a stent mounted on the stent support in a vertically position with the stent support's first support element at a lower position and the stent support's second support element at an upper position; (2) obtaining a digital image of the stent support and stent; (3) analyzing the digital image of the stent support and stent to compute the vertical position of the stent's upper end; (4) computing a desired position of the second support element based on the position of the stent's upper end; and (5) using a positioning device to move the second support element to the desired position. The movement of the second support element causes the conical sections of the first and second support elements to engage the respective ends of the stent to center the stent around a core element of the stent support and to secure the stent in a longitudinal direction of the stent support.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2007Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignees: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc., ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.Inventors: Sang joon Park, Shaulaine Choo, Anthony S. Andreacchi, Yung-Ming Chen, Arnoldo M. Currlin, Antonio Garcia, Jason Van Sciver, Thomas David Esbeck, Bryan D. Glenn
-
Publication number: 20090254210Abstract: A system for controlling object movement on a machine. The system controls a speed of a working point of the machine according to a dynamic decay speed determined through an exponential function after the working point passes by a buffer distance. A related method and storage medium with instructions for performance of the method also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2008Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: CHI MEI COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: CHIEN-HAO LIANG
-
Method and machine for determining a space coordinate of a measurement point on a measurement object
Patent number: 7599813Abstract: For determining a space coordinate of a measurement point on a measuring object, the measurement point is approached with a probe head arranged on a displacement mechanism having at least two supports movable parallel to one another. Each support is moved by its own drive. The space coordinate of the measurement point is determined as a function of the respective displacement position of the supports. The two drives are controlled by a common regulator.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2007Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbHInventor: Guenter Grupp -
Publication number: 20090240367Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2009Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Masayuki Takahashi, Isao Tashiro
-
Publication number: 20090216362Abstract: Calibration apparatus comprising a positional calibration means, and a machine tool assembly chuck configured to, in use, locate a machine tool assembly comprising a machine tool configured to be adjustably mounted on a machine tool mount. The positional calibration means and chuck are mounted on a common base relative to one another. The positional calibration means comprises a calibration headstock provided with a positional feature engagement means for cooperative engagement with a machine tool location feature provided on the machine tool. When the machine tool is adjusted on the machine tool mount relative to the positional calibration means, cooperative engagement of the positional feature engagement means and the machine tool location feature indicates the machine tool is aligned along a predetermined machine tool calibration axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLCInventor: Steven Weeks
-
Patent number: 7580770Abstract: A path table operation is performed while updating the reference positions. When a read-out command in the path cycle table is read out, the reference positions are withdrawn and reset, and the respective axial positions at the time of the initiation of the path cycle command are stored. From the next period, the target positions are determined by adding the positions at the time of initiation to the respective axial positions corresponding to the reference positions stored in the path cycle table, and a path table operation is performed. A single path cycle table is sufficient for storing commands for portions to be repeatedly worked.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Fanuc LtdInventors: Takahiko Endo, Yasushi Takeuchi
-
Patent number: 7487006Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takashi Kamiya, Hiroshi Katano, Kenji Iriguchi, Susumu Matsubara