System and method of implementing new product designs on computer numerical control machines
AssigneeThermwood Corporation
InventorsKENNETH J. SUSNJARA, MICHAEL P. HARDESTY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method using a multipurpose flexible CNC machine that is able to perform a variety of machining operations on all parts of a product. Specific operations include carving, boring, cutting, grooving, molding, shaping, routing, mortising, edge working, sawing, planing, squaring, sanding, drilling and dovetailing. The CNC control integrates machining instructions, operator: instructions and sequence of operations into a coherent package.
Claims47
A method of machining all parts of a product by a Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) Machine, comprising the steps of:
- a.) assigning a plurality of work zones on a worktable and a vertical side table;
- b.) installing one of a set of pins and a set of fences along each work zone;
- c.) securing each set of fences by fastening means;
- d.) retrieving part placement instructions from an audio file of the CNC control;
- e.) providing part placement instructions for each work zone by an audio device;
- f.) placing a part in each work zone in compliance with the part placement instructions;
- g.) verifying correct part placement of each part by comparing instructed part dimensions with part dimensions indicated by the linear markings;
- h.) securing each part by one of clamping and suctioning;
- i.) indicating completion of all part placements;
- j.) selecting a predetermined tool bit for each part before machining that part.
- k.) assembling machined parts while remaining parts are being machined;
- and
- l.) repeating steps e.) to k.) until all parts are machined.
A method of machining all parts of a product by a Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine, comprising the steps of:
- assigning a plurality of work zones on a worktable and a vertical side table;
- retrieving part placement instructions from an audio file of the CNC control;
- sequentially providing part placement instructions for each work zone by an audio device;
- placing a part in each work zone in compliance with the part placement instructions;
- selecting a predetermined tool bit for each part before machining that part;
- and
- assembling machined parts of the product while remaining pares are being machined, until all parts are machined.
A method of machining all parts of a product by a Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine, including machine operations of carving, boring, cutting, grooving, molding, shaping, routing, mortising, edge working, sawing, planing, squaring, sanding, drilling and dovetailing, comprising the steps of:
- assigning a plurality of work zones on a worktable and a vertical side table;
- retrieving part placement instructions from an audio file of the CNC control;
- providing part placement instructions for each work zone by an audio device;
- placing a part in each work zone in compliance with the part placement instructions;
- selecting a predetermined tool bit for each part before machining that part;
- and
- assembling machined parts while remaining parts are being machining, until all parts are machined.
A Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine for machining all parts of a product, comprising:
- at least one toolhead assembly;
- tool change means for changing tool bits;
- a worktable comprising a plurality of horizontal work zones;
- a vertical side table comprising a plurality of vertical work zones;
- one of a set of pins and a set of fences being secured along each horizontal work zone;
- an audio device reproducing part placement instructions retrieved from an audio file of the CNC control;
- and
- securing means for securing a part in each work zone;
- wherein the toolhead assembly automatically engages a predetermined tool bit from the tool change means to machine each part of the product.
A Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC, machine for machining all parts of a product, including machine operations of carving, boring, cutting, grooving, molding, shaping, routing, mortising, edge working, sawing, planing, squaring, sanding, drilling and dovetailing, the CNC machine comprising:
- at least one toolhead assembly;
- tool change means for tool changing;
- a worktable comprising of a plurality of horizontal work zones;
- al least one vertical side table comprising of a plurality of vertical work zones;
- an audio device reproducing part placement instructions retrieved from an audio file of the CNC control;
- securing means for securing a part to each work zone;
- wherein the toolhead assembly engages a predetermined tool bit before performing one of the machining operations on each part.
A Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine, comprising:
- at least one toolhead assembly;
- at least one vertical side table;
- wherein the toolhead assembly performs a machine operation on a part secured to the vertical side table.
A Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine, comprising:
- at least one toolhead assembly;
- a worktable comprising of a plurality of work zones;
- securing means for securing a part to each work zone;
- wherein the toolhead assembly performs a machine operation on the part.
A Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine for machining all parts of a product, including machine operations of carving, boring, cutting, grooving, molding, shaping, routing, mortising, edge working, sawing, planing, squaring, sanding, drilling and dovetailing, the CNC machine comprising:
- at least one toolhead assembly;
- a worktable comprising of a plurality of work zones;
- a set of fences each with linear markings being secured along each work zone;
- securing means for securing a part to each work zone;
- wherein the toolhead assembly perform, a machine operation on the part.
A method of machining by integrating machining instructions, operator instructions and sequence of operations into a program stored in a CNC control, comprising the steps of:
- retrieving operator instructions from the program;
- providing operator instructions for each of a plurality of work zones by an audio device;
- placing a part in each work zone in compliance with the operator instructions;
- machining each part based on the machining instructions.
A Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine integrating machining instructions, operator instructions and sequence of operations into a program stored in the CNC control, comprising:
- at least one toolhead assembly;
- a worktable comprising a plurality of work zones;
- an audio device providing operator instructions;
- securing means for securing a part to each work zone;
- wherein the toolhead assembly machines each part based on the machining instructions.
A method of machining, comprising:
- placing a fence with linear markings on a worktable;
- measuring a dimension of a part placed adjacent to the fence;
- and
- machining the part.
A machine, comprising:
- a worktable;
- a fence with linear markings being secured on the worktable;
- wherein an operator perceives a dimension of a part placed adjacent to the fence.
A method of machining, comprising:
- securing a part to a vertical worktable;
- machining an edge of the part.
A machine, comprising:
- a toolhead assembly;
- a vertical worktable;
- a securing device to secure a part to the worktable;
- wherein the toolhead assembly machines an edge of the part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.