Abstract: A controller capable of monitoring a receiving circuit for receiving machine information. Machine information from a machine is received by a plurality of independent systems and the external signals received by the plurality of systems are compared, thereby, a receiving state of the receiving circuit is monitored. The controller includes a plurality of independent receiving units for receiving the external signal and monitoring units for comparing signals received by the plurality of receiving units, to monitor the receiving units based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: The chuck 10, for positioning and holding a pipe at any rotational angle position around the axial center, is provided with the three dimensional linear processing machine. When the machining program PRO is composed, a plurality of the shape patterns KPT classified machining modes concerning pipes by machining shape is displayed on the display 23. Furthermore, dimensional data item concerning selected shape pattern is displayed on the display 23. Then, the machining program PRO is composed on the basis of the input code parameter CP and the selected shape pattern KPT. Besides, shift quantity TMz and TMy are measured when the pipe to be machined is installed on the chuck 10, and on the basis of this, the machining program PRO is amended and executed.

Abstract: The method is suitable for the micromachining of accurately aligned holes in the aerofoil surface of a component such as a jet engine turbine blade or vane which comprises a ground anchorage portion and a cast aerofoil portion. The method uses a laser machining apparatus which is preprogrammed to machine holes in the aerofoil surface when that surface is in a predefined reference position and orientation in the apparatus. Initially the component is mounted in the laser machining apparatus by means of its anchorage portion. At least one probe is then moved over the surface of the cast aerofoil portion to derive the positions of selected points on that aerofoil portion. From the derived position data, angular and linear offset data may be calculated to define the deviation of that cast aerofoil portion from the reference position and orientation defined in the computer memory of the laser machining apparatus.

Abstract: The position of a feed shaft is monitored, the mean moving speed and moving frequency of the feed shaft are measured with every unit time for position correction, and a correction amount &dgr;n is determined from the speed and frequency according to an approximation formula and updated (c7 and c8). A position correction amount for a commanded position is determined from this correction amount, and the commanded position is corrected by the position correction amount (c1 to c6). The position correction amount for the commanded position is determined from this correction amount, and the commanded position is corrected by this position correction amount. Since the correction amount is determined according to the approximation formula, thermal displacement correction can be effected at all times without requiring any sensor.

Abstract: The nominal configuration of a workpiece is stored in a multiaxis numerically controlled machine. The workpiece is probed in the machine to determine an offset from the nominal configuration. The workpiece is then shifted by the offset to correspond with the nominal configuration. The workpiece is then machined according to the nominal configuration.

Abstract: This invention relates to a control apparatus for numerical control in a cutting machine having a turret which can be rotated to arbitrary positions, and characterized by including means for obtaining turret axis data (&Dgr;X, &Dgr;Z) from reference offset values (X0, Z0) corresponding to a length from a cutting edge to a turret axis B, turret angle data &agr;, and cutting edge data (m, n), and moving the turret on the basis of these turret axis data (&Dgr;X, &Dgr;Z) to perform a cutting.

Abstract: A parts classification unit 15 displays parts 70 and a palletizing robot 20 so as to compute the absorbing position of the palletizing robot 20 with respect to the parts 70 displayed as part.robot information BRJ by the instruction of an operator. The moving.positioning instruction FRn of the robot 20 between the classification head 5 and the pallet 10 is composed on the basis of the parts.robot information BRJ, sheet nesting information SNJ showing location state of the parts in the classification head and pallet nesting information PNJ showing location state of the parts on the pallet 10. By this structure, the time of machining and classification is made shortened without teaching.

Abstract: The present invention preferably employs non-contact, small-displacement, capacitive sensors to determine Abbe errors due to the pitch, yaw, or roll of a near linear mechanical stage that are not indicated by an on-axis position indicator, such as a linear scale encoder or laser interferometer. The system is calibrated against a precise reference standard so the corrections depend only on sensing small changes in the sensor readings and not on absolute accuracy of the sensor readings. Although the present invention is preferred for use in split-axis positioning systems with inertially separated stages, the invention can be employed in typical split-axis or stacked stage systems to reduce their manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing alignment of a photolithography tool. A broad band source test is provided. A disturbing sequence is run that is not a portion of the broad band source test. The broad band source test is performed and post disturb test data recorded. A result of the broad band source test is compared with a tolerance. If in the comparison, the result of the broad band source test is not within the tolerance, the photolithography tool is mechanically adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machining-related information generating apparatus, which speedily and correctly generates tool path data, and automatically generates operation information required for machining. The machining-related information generating apparatus comprises: a process/machining model data generating section (5) which extracts product characteristic data from CAD data, then generates process data, stock blank data and machining model data; a machining-related information generating section (10) which generates tool path data on the basis of the process data, the stock blank data, the machining model data and the like, then generates data of virtual workpiece configurations, and generates machining operation information data on the basis of the process data, the stock blank data, the tool path data and the virtual workpiece configuration data.

Abstract: The invention is a unit for pneumatically controlling the position of a workpiece relative to a predetermined workpiece configuration, comprising an enclosure, a minimum of one measuring nozzle for a gaseous pressure medium, which measuring nozzle is located in a contact surface a workpiece fixture. A pressure supply line is connected to the measuring nozzle via pressure lines. Separate adjoining modular enclosure components are detachably connected to one another and each is fitted with a connection leading to measuring nozzle. A first enclosure end cover can be connected to a pressure supply unit and a second enclosure end cover is located at a distance from the first enclosure end cover. The first enclosure end cover, the modular enclosure components that adjoin the first enclosure end cover, and the second enclosure end cover that adjoins the modular enclosure components form the overall enclosure 68.

Abstract: Every time the cumulative number of revolutions of a spindle rotating motor reaches a cumulative number of revolutions set in a data table, a CPU reads out, from a data memory section, moving positions of a workpiece and tool at the reached cumulative number of revolutions and the next cumulative number of revolutions, and a spindle rotational speed instruction value at the reached cumulative number of revolutions. The CPU sets the reached cumulative number of revolutions as a start point and the next cumulative number of revolutions as an end point, and divides the interval between the start and end points at predetermined timings. The CPU determines moving positions of the workpiece and tool at divided timings on the basis of the readout moving positions of the workpiece and tool. The CPU outputs the spindle rotational speed instruction value as a spindle rotational speed instruction signal to a reference spindle rotational speed setting circuit to control the rotational speed of the spindle rotating motor.

Abstract: A spindle is formed with a radial flange in a vicinity of a front end thereof, a spindle feed shaft rotatably holding the spindle has a non-contact type deviation detector secured thereto in opposite to a surface of the flange in an axial direction of the spindle, the deviation detector detects a deviation of an air gap in the axial direction between therefrom to the flange surface, a correction value of an axial position of the spindle is calculated in accordance with the detected deviation of the air gap, and a command responsible for tile axial position of the spindle is corrected in accordance with the calculated correction value to compensate for an axial position of the front end of the spindle.

Abstract: A machine tool has a carriage, has a workpiece carriage for carrying a workpiece from which material is removed by a tool carried by a tool carriage. A two-axis scale is attached to one of the carriages, and cooperates with a reading head attached to the other carriage. The output from the reading head is processed by signaling processing means to provide an indication of the position and/or movement of the carriages relative to each other and for generating positional data about one or both of the carriages to assist in controlling their movement in order to perform a machine operation. By directly measuring the relative positions of the two carriages, problems arising from, for example, distortions of the machine frame on which the carriages are mounted are at least mitigated.

Abstract: A method of generating a robotic process plan for performing a process on a work structure includes a step of receiving input identifying a template corresponding to a plurality of geometric features of the work structure, each geometric feature associated with one or more robotic process elements. The method further includes a step of receiving input associating work structure data with the identified template. The method also includes a step of generating the robotic process plan based on the associated work structure data and the robotic process elements associate with the template.

Abstract: The workpiece or pack of printed circuit boards is fitted to a clamping fixture carried by the table and is machined by a machining head; the head and the table being movable with respect to each other along two coordinate X, Y axes. The aligning method includes the steps of providing the pack with two locating holes; fitting the pack to the fixture; determining the distances between the real positions of the holes and two reference positions; and moving the pack on the fixture to eliminate the distances. The aligning device has an optoelectronic sensor carried by the head to determine the real position of each hole; and a number of motors controlled on the basis of the real position of each hole to move a locating member for locating a first pin on the pack, and to move one bar of a pair of bars for clamping the other pin on the pack.

Abstract: So as to achieve accurate detection of the bonding tool position in, for instance, a wire bonding apparatus, the positional relationship between a position detection camera and a reference hole formed in, for instance, a clamper is measured by imaging the reference hole by the position detection camera. The position detection camera and a bonding tool are moved by an XY table, and the tip end of the bonding tool is inserted into the reference hole. Then, the bonding tool is moved in the X and Y directions, and the contact of the bonding tool to an edge of the reference hole is detected based upon changes in the waveform of the ultrasonic vibrations applied to the bonding tool, thus measuring the positional relationship between the tool and the reference hole. The offset amount between the position detection camera and the bonding tool is then determined based upon the measured values and the amounts of movement of the bonding tool between the locations for such measured values.

Abstract: A machine tool is controlled through a process incorporating the steps of (1) measuring geometric and thermal errors with accurate instruments, (2) creating a global differential wet model of machine tool position, and (3) using this model to control real time compensation of machine tool operation. A controller modifies encoder-type position feedback signals used by the machine to compensate for geometric and thermal errors in the manner dictated by the global differential wet model.

Abstract: A controller, for use with a fastener installation apparatus having a primary turret tooling head and an opposed reactionary tooling head, includes a data acquisition computer and several servomotors controlled by the computer for operatively connecting the computer to the primary tooling head turret for rotatably positioning the turret, and actuating the tools. The servo operated drive systems are computer operated and numerically controlled to position the turret relative to the work piece for accurate and repeatable positioning of the tools on the turret over the desired location of the hole without sacrificing desirable machine rigidity for some fastening operations. The system includes programming means operable to cause the computer to rotate the primary turret tooling head and actuate the tools using the computer numerically controlled servo motors for remotely controlling both the linear carriage position, the turret angular rotation, and actuation of the tools.

Abstract: The numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention displays data such as a tool reduction allowance, a tool core gap amount, and a tool shape and the like to a tool, which is set with displaying setting condition of a tool is set at the tool exchanging means, which detected by the tool set detecting means, and displays a tool setting condition by indicating a tool which is set in the tool exchanging means and that not set in the tool exchanging means with a different color respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a processing machine to perform a processing operation on a workpiece by (a) determining the nominal locations of at least two sensible reference marks on the workpiece in terms of the coordinates of the workpiece; (b) loading the workpiece on the processing machine; (c) sensing, and measuring the actual locations of, the reference marks on the workpiece when so mounted, in terms of the coordinates of the processing machine; (d) determining at least one geometrical transformation needed to transform the workpiece coordinates of the nominal locations of the reference marks to the processing machine coordinates of the actual locations of the reference marks; (e) and controlling the processing machine in accordance with the determined geometrical transformation.

Abstract: A method of setting a coordinate system to an automatic machine with a stable accuracy in a non-contact manner. The desired coordinate system can be set even if it exists outside a moving range of the automatic machine. The operator operates a robot control device to move a robot to a first position A1 where a coordinate system setting jig is within the field of view of a camera supported by the robot. Matrix data [A1] representing the robot position A1 is stored and the jig is photographed by the camera. The image of a group of dots on the jig are analyzed by an image processor to obtain picture element values of the individual points. Based on the picture element values of the individual points and jig data (data of distances between and number of the points), matrix data [D1] representing a position and a posture of a coordinate system &Sgr;c to be set with respect to a sensor coordinate system &Sgr;s is obtained.

Abstract: The mailing machine includes a microcontroller system for executing machine control algorithms during each control cycle and user interface algorithms. Each control cycle is divided into first discrete time intervals sufficient to allow completion of the respective control algorithms, and a second time interval for execution of user interface algorithm and, if required, completion of the user interface algorithm during subsequent control cycles.

Abstract: A numerically controlled machine tool which allows the automatic generation of a restoring program for carrying out processing required for the resumption of an NC machining program to resume the execution of the NC machining program after the execution of the NC machining program has been stopped and interrupt processing has been performed. Specifically, even for nesting programs, when the machining program is re-executed from where it had stopped after the execution of the machining program has stopped and the operator has performed optional interrupt processing, the stop-time and re-execution-time machine statuses are compared to automatically generate the restoring program so that the machine status may be returned to the stop-time status, whereby the operator can perform the resumption processing of the machining program without any restrictions.

Abstract: A method of aligning the bonding head of a bonder, in particular a die bonder, or of a pick and place machine comprising the steps of a) placing an alignment plate provided with two plane parallel surfaces on a supporting surface which is set plane parallel to the bonding surface upon which the semiconductor chip will be bonded to the carrier material; b) calibration of a measuring device, the signal of which is dependent upon the position of the alignment plate; c) grasping the alignment plate with the bonding head of the bonder and holding the alignment plate free at a slight distance above the measuring device; and d) alignment of the bonding head until the signal from the measuring device is equal to the signal following step b).

Abstract: A device ("RPLD") for providing automated alignment of a workpiece centerline with a machine tool centerline. RPLD 10 is designed for rigid attachment to various standard spindle designs, such as spindle 12. RPLD 10 includes a fixture 50, adapted to engage RPLD 10, for fixedly receiving workpiece 120. RPLD 10 incorporates a tilting plate 15 which allows for tilting of the fixture around three separate axis. Further, RPLD 10 incorporates cross-slide 30 for providing translational movement in a plane perpendicular to the machine tools centerline. A processing unit 60 receives data from a plurality of conventional transducers and, based on this data, activates the servo driven tilting plate and cross-slide so as to position the centerline of a workpiece to be both parallel and coincident with the centerline of a machine tool.