US 12,485,499 B2 · System and methods for improved sheet metal cutting

Abstract

A plasma cutting system for measuring or monitoring the voltage between a plasma torch and the material being cut to determine a voltage or voltage signature and comparing that measurement against predetermined values to indicate that an initial pierce of the material is complete, and based on the measurement, moving the torch or the material to a different location for additional cutting. The system further provides a Fix Drawing Tool, which will automatically detect and fix gaps or overlaps in a drawing that are very difficult to find visually. These gaps and overlaps become a problem when trying to make a proper toolpath because a CAM program requires a clean, closed shape. The system also provides a Dynamic Corner Looping system, which automatically adjusts with the feed-rate and accelerations of the toolpath and plasma machine, eliminates unwanted dross, sharpens corners and minimizes material loss.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method for cutting a corner of a piece of material using a CNC machine coupled to a CAD/CAM system, comprising the steps of:

a. obtaining a CAD information from the CAD/CAM system, said CAD information pertaining to a design of the material to be cut, said design comprising at least one corner, said at least one corner to be cut using a minimal rounded loop;
b. for the at least one corner, using the CAD information from the CAD/CAM system to determining a minimum linear extension length that allows the CNC machine to decelerate to a feedrate for an arc motion, wherein the arc motion has a smallest possible radius and a corresponding minimal rounded loop based on a machine acceleration limits, thereby cutting said at least one corner using the minimal rounded loop in order to eliminate unwanted dross, sharpen corners and reduce material loss;
wherein calculating the minimal rounded loop comprises the steps of:
c. calculating a duration of the extension move;
d. calculating an arc motion feedrate;
and
e. calculating a linear extension length.

4 more elements

A method for cutting a piece of material using a CNC machine coupled to a CAD/CAM system, comprising the steps of:

a. obtaining a CAD information from the CAD/CAM system, said CAD information pertaining to a design of the material to be cut, said design comprising at least one corner, said at least corner to be cut using a minimal rounded loop;
b. for the at least one corner, using the CAD information from the CAD/CAM system to determining a minimum linear extension length that allows the CNC machine to decelerate to a feedrate for an arc motion, wherein the arc motion has a smallest possible radius and a corresponding minimal rounded loop based on a machine acceleration limits, thereby cutting said at least one corner using the minimal rounded loop in order to eliminate unwanted dross, sharpen corners and reduce material loss;
wherein calculating the minimal rounded loop comprises the steps of:
c. calculating a duration of the extension move;
d. calculating an arc motion feedrate;
and
e. calculating an arc motion radius.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and methods for improved sheet metal cutting

Life of this patent

System and methods for improved sheet metal cutting

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15