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AssigneeFlow International Corporation
InventorsGlenn A. Erichsen, Jiannan Zhou, Mira K. Sahney, Michael Knaupp
Estimating the term…
Abstract of Disclosure Methods and systems for automating the control of fluid jet orientation parameters are provided. Example embodiments provide a Dynamic Waterjet Control System (a "DWCS") to dynamically control the orientation of the jet relative to the material being cut as a function of speed and other process parameters. Orientation parameters include, for example, the x-y position of the jet along the cutting path, as well as three dimensional orientation parameters of the jet, such as standoff compensation values and taper and lead angles of the cutting head. In one embodiment, the DWCS uses a set of predictive models to determine these orientation parameters. The DWCS preferably comprises a motion program generator / kernel, a user interface, one or more replaceable orientation and process models, and a communications interface to a fluid jet apparatus controller. Optionally the DWCS also includes a CAD module for designing the target piece. In operation, the motion program generator receives input from the CAD design module and the user interface to build a motion program that can be forwarded to and executed by the controller to control the cutting process. The replaceable models provide the motion program generator with access to sets of mathematical models that are used to determine appropriate jet orientation and process parameters. For example, in some environments, these equations are used to generate the x-position, y-position, standoff compensation value, lead angle, and taper angle of each command. The DWCS also provides two way communication between itself and the controller. The controller functions are used, for example, to display the cutting path in progress while the target piece is being cut out of the workpiece. They are also used to obtain current values of the cutting apparatus, such as the current state of attached mechanical and electrical devices.
2.(New)A method in a computer system for automatically and dynamically controlling orientation of a cutting head of a fluid jet apparatus relative to a material being cut, to produce a target piece having a geometry with a plurality of geometric entities, the fluid jet apparatus having a plurality of process parameters, comprising:
3.(New)The method of claim 2 wherein the at least two entities associated with different speeds are ordered successively such that the two different speeds indicate one of an acceleration and a deceleration.
4.(New)The method of claim 3 wherein the orientation parameters for each of the two successive entities are different.
9.(New)The method of claim 8 wherein the determined first and second orientation parameters comprise a lead angle and a taper angle.
11.(New)The method of claim 10 wherein the motion program is tailored to the cutting head controller.
15.(New)The method of claim 14 wherein the predictive model indicates values for at least one of lead angles and taper angles as a function of values of speed.
16.(New)The method of claim 15 wherein the function of speed is further defined as a function of one of the process parameters.
17.(New)The method of claim 16 wherein the process parameter is at least one of abrasive fluid flow rate, nozzle orifice diameter, mixing tube characteristics, abrasive fluid pressure, material thickness, and material type.
25.(New)The method of claim 24 wherein the axes provide tilt and swivel movement of the cutting head relative to the target piece.
27.(New)The method of claim 26 wherein the axes provide tilt and swivel movement of the cutting head relative to the target piece.
30.(New)A computer-readable memory medium containing instructions that control a computer processor to control orientation of a cutting head of a fluid jet apparatus relative to a material being cut, to produce a target piece having a geometry with a plurality of geometric entities, the fluid jet apparatus having a plurality of process parameters, by:
31.(New)The computer-readable memory medium of claim 30 wherein the at least two entities associated with different speeds are ordered successively such that the two different speeds indicate one of an acceleration and a deceleration.
32.(New)The computer-readable memory medium of claim 31 wherein the orientation parameters for each of the two successive entities are different.
37.(New)The computer-readable memory medium of claim 36 wherein the determined first and second orientation parameters comprise a lead angle and a taper angle.
39.(New)The computer-readable memory medium of claim 38 wherein the motion program is tailored to the cutting head controller.
43.(New)The computer-readable memory medium of claim 42 wherein the predictive model indicates values for one of lead angles and taper angles as a function of values of speed.
44.(New)The computer-readable memory medium of claim 43 wherein the function of speed is further defined as a function of one of the process parameters.
45.(New)The computer-readable memory medium of claim 44 wherein the process parameter is at least one of abrasive fluid flow rate, nozzle orifice diameter, mixing tube characteristics, abrasive fluid pressure, material thickness, and material type.
53.(New)The computer-readable memory medium of claim 52 wherein the axes provide tilt and swivel movement of the cutting head relative to the target piece.
55.(New)The computer-readable memory medium of claim 54 wherein the axes provide tilt and swivel movement of the cutting head relative to the target piece.
58.(New)A dynamic fluid jet control system that controls a fluid jet apparatus to produce from a material a target piece with a geometry having a plurality of geometric segments, the fluid jet apparatus having a cutting head that rotates on a plurality of axes, comprising:
59.(New)The system of claim 58 wherein the at least two segments associated with different speeds are ordered successively such that the two different speeds indicate one of an acceleration and a deceleration.
60.(New)The system of claim 59 wherein the determined orientation parameters for each of the two successive entities are different.
64.(New)The system of claim 63 wherein the automatically determined plurality of orientation values includes taper angle values.
67.(New)The system of claim 66 wherein the automatically determined plurality of orientation values includes standoff compensation values.
70.(New)The system of claim 69 wherein the function determines lead angles and taper angles based upon values representing at least one of speed, acceleration, and deceleration.
73.(New)The system of claim 72 wherein the process parameters comprise at least one of abrasive fluid flow rate, nozzle orifice diameter, mixing tube characteristics, abrasive fluid pressure, material thickness, and material type.
77.(New)A method in a computer system for controlling a jet apparatus to cut along a designated cutting path of a material to produce a target piece having a geometric specification, the jet apparatus having a cutting head and a plurality of modifiable process parameters;
78.(New)The method of claim 77, the geometric specification comprising a plurality of geometric entities, wherein the automatically determining the plurality of values further comprises, for each entity:
79.(New)The method of claim 78, wherein the automatically determining of the value for the orientation characteristic in accordance with the determined speed also determines the value in accordance with the process parameter values.
86.(New)The method of claim 85 wherein the mathematical equation is an equation expressed as a function of speed.
87.(New)The method of claim 86, the equation having coefficients, wherein the values of the coefficients are based upon values of the process parameters.
91.(New)A computer-readable memory medium containing instructions that control a computer processor to control a jet apparatus to cut along a designated cutting path of a material to produce a target piece having a geometric specification, the jet apparatus have a cutting head and a plurality of modifiable process parameters, by:
92.(New)The computer-readable memory medium of claim 91, the geometric specification comprising a plurality of geometric entities, wherein the automatically determining the plurality of values further comprises, for each entity:
93.(New)The computer-readable memory medium of claim 92 wherein the automatically determining of the value for the orientation characteristic in accordance with the determined speed also determines the value in accordance with the process parameter values.
100.(New)The computer-readable memory medium of claim 99 wherein the mathematical equation is an equation expressed as a function of speed.
101.(New)The computer-readable memory medium of claim 100, the equation having coefficients, wherein the values of the coefficients are based upon values of the process parameters.
105.(New)A fluid jet apparatus controller for controlling a cutting head of a fluid jet apparatus to cut along a designated cutting path to produce a target piece, comprising:
106.(New)The controller of claim 105 wherein the designated cutting path comprises segments, and wherein the cutting head control portion automatically determines the plurality of values for the orientation characteristic by:
111.(New)The controller of claim 110 wherein the program code calculates values based upon an equation that indicates orientation values as a function of speed.
112.(New)The controller of claim 111, the equation having a coefficient, wherein a value of the coefficient is based upon a value of a process parameter.
115.(New)A fluid jet apparatus control system for controlling a cutting head of a fluid jet apparatus to cut along a designated cutting path to produce a target piece, comprising:
116.(New)The control system of claim 115 wherein the designated cutting path comprises segments, and wherein the cutting head control interface automatically determines the plurality of values for the orientation characteristic by:
121.(New)The control system of claim 120 wherein the program code calculates values based upon an equation that indicates orientation values as a function of speed.
122.(New)The control system of claim 121, the equation having a coefficient, wherein a value of the coefficient is based upon a value of a process parameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.