Methods and software for providing graphical representations of a plurality of objects in a central through opening

A method of locating graphical representations of a plurality of objects in a central through opening, the method comprising:

• generating a workpiece computer model of a workpiece by:
• receiving a graphical representation of a temporary support frame with dimensions corresponding to dimensions of a body of material, the temporary support frame to be machined from the body of material, wherein the graphical representation of the temporary support frame includes:
• first and second faces spaced from one another;
• and
• a central through-opening for receiving graphical representations of computer models of the plurality of objects, the through-opening extending from the first face to the second face;
• receiving a selection of the graphical representations of the plurality of objects to be machined from the body of material;
• locating the graphical representations of the plurality of objects in the central through- opening so that the graphical representations of the plurality of objects are spaced from one another and from the graphical representation of the temporary support frame by a network of through-spaces so as to permit separating of the plurality of objects by machining of the body of material by machining equipment;
• and
• generating a machine-control instruction set as a function of the foregoing steps and the body of material, wherein generating the machine-control instruction set further comprises generating the machine-control instruction set based on the foregoing steps and the body of material so as to include machine-control instructions for controlling the machining equipment to:
• machine from a first side of the body of material a network of valleys corresponding to the network of through-spaces so as to leave interconnecting portions of the body of material that interconnect the plurality of objects with one another and with the temporary support frame;
• and
• machine away, from a second side of the body of material, the interconnecting portions so as to disconnect the plurality of objects from one another and from the temporary support frame;
• wherein the machine-control instructions include machine-control instructions for machining, from the first side of the body of material, the network of valleys so that the interconnecting portions have a thickness that is chosen as a function of the plurality of objects.