Automated gate cutting system
AssigneeMueller International, LLC
InventorsTheodore Chad Harbour, Timothy P. Hipp, Kelby Wayne Klink, Donald Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for separating a part from a monolithic tree includes a camera positioned facing the tree and configured to identify a cut mark on a gate of the tree; and a cutter configured to cut the part from the tree at the cut mark. A method for separating a part from a monolithic tree includes marking the tree with a cut mark; identifying the cut mark with a camera; determining an orientation and a position of the cut mark; determining an orientation and a position of the tree from the orientation and the position of the cut mark; transmitting information on the orientation and position of the tree from the camera to a cutter; and cutting the part from the tree.
Claims20
A system for separating a part from a monolithic tree, the system comprising:
- a camera positioned facing the tree and configured to identify a cut mark on a gate of the tree, the tree comprising a runner, the part connected to the runner with the gate, each of the runner, the gate, and the part comprising a cast material;
- and
- a cutter configured to cut the part from the tree at the cut mark.
A monolithic tree comprising:
- a sprue;
- a runner formed integrally with the sprue;
- a plurality of parts, each of the plurality of parts formed integrally with the runner;
- and
- a plurality of gates, each gate comprising a cut mark and connecting a one of the plurality of parts to the runner, wherein an orientation and a position of each cut mark in three-dimensional space with respect to the runner is perceivable by an automated gate cutting system.
A method for separating a part from a monolithic tree, the method comprising:
- marking the tree with a cut mark;
- identifying the cut mark with a camera;
- determining an orientation and a position of the cut mark;
- determining an orientation and a position of the tree from the orientation and the position of the cut mark;
- transmitting information on the orientation and position of the tree from the camera to a cutter;
- and
- cutting the part from the tree.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.