Method for cutting a layup of sheet material
AssigneeGerber Technology, Inc.
InventorsThomas Gerent, Jed R. Higgins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for cutting and matching parts in a layup of material includes a cutting tool for cutting the parts and a camera for detecting and analyzing match points located on the individual parts that need to be matched to other parts. The apparatus also includes a computer having instructions for optimizing a process for matching various parts in the layup resulting in an increase of effective usable area of the cutter table and in increased efficiency in use of material in the layup. The computer includes instructions to direct the camera to process match points that are disposed within a tool offset, defined as a distance between the cutting tool and the camera, prior to advancing the layup to a take-off end of the cutter table.
Claims11
An apparatus for cutting and matching individual parts in a layup of material, said apparatus comprising:
- a cutter table extending in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction for supporting said layup, said cutter table having a take-on end and a take-off end;
- a conveyor belt mounted onto said cutter table for advancing said layup from said take-on end to said take-off end of said cutter table;
- a cutter beam movable in said longitudinal direction along said cutter table;
- a cutter head mounted onto said cutter beam and movable with respect to said cutter beam in said lateral direction for cuffing said individual parts from said layup;
- a camera disposed on said cutter beam at an offset from said cutter head to define a tool offset between said camera and said cutter head;
- and
- a computer for controlling said cutter head and said camera, said computer including instructions for optimizing a process for matching various parts in said layup resulting in an increase of effective usable area of said cutter table and in increased efficiency in use of material in said layup.
A method for cutting and matching individual parts in a layup of material, said method comprising the steps of:
- optimizing a process for matching various parts in said layup resulting in an increase of effective usable area of a cutter table and a reduction of wasted material in said layup.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.