Machining
AssigneeShapex Solid Image Systems LP
InventorJoseph William Belanger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A machining system is described having independently movable cutting instruments configured to simultaneously generate different parts. The cutting instruments are capable of independent motion along a Z-axis and are mounted on a common beam that traverses the parts in an X, Y plane. Merge software modules merge a number of part programs into a single master program. A control unit interprets the master program and controls the machining system to generate the parts. The software modules generate the master program such that all of the Z-axis move commands within the part programs are sequenced along a single X, Y traverse path based on a defined cutting strategy and cutting direction. In this manner, the machining system simultaneously produces a number of different parts.
Claims40
A method comprising:
- merging part programs into a master part program;
- and
- controlling a machine having independently movable cutting instruments according to the master part program to machine different parts defined by the part programs.
A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon to cause a programmable processor to:
- merge a plurality of part programs into a master part program;
- and
- control a machining system having a plurality of independently movable cutting instruments according to the master part program.
A system comprising:
- a machining system having a plurality of independently movable cutting instruments;
- and
- a control unit to interpret a master program and control the cutting instruments.
A method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of orders for parts;
- generating a part program for each order;
- merging the part programs into a master program;
- and
- controlling a machining device according to the master program to produce the parts simultaneously.
A machining system having a plurality of cutting instruments, wherein the cutting instruments are independently movable along a first axis and movable in a common traverse path in a plane perpendicular to the axis.
A method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of part programs;
- and
- merging the part programs into a master part program.
A computer-readable medium having master part program stored thereon for controlling a machining device to simultaneously produce a plurality of parts, wherein the master part program is formed from a plurality of individual part programs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.