Methods for finishing surfaces using tool center point shift techniques
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorCollin D. Chan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The described embodiments relate generally to lapping, polishing or sanding operations of three dimensional objects having curved surfaces. More specifically, methods and apparatuses are described for providing a smooth and consistent looking surface along curved or spline shaped features. In some embodiments, a robot arm is used in conjunction with a computer numerical control (CNC) machine. Methods involve varying the location of a tool center point with respect to a finishing tool depending on the location of the finishing tool with respect to the tool control path.
Claims20
A method for finishing a surface of a part, the method comprising:
- positioning the part in a computer numerical control (CNC) tool, wherein the part has at least one curved surface adjacent to at least one flat surface;
- and
- finishing the surface of the part by moving a finishing tool along a tool control path that travels along the at least one flat surface and the at least one curved surface, wherein the finishing tool rotates about an axis substantially normal to the at least one curved and at least one flat surfaces during the finishing, wherein during the finishing a location of a tool center point (TCP) varies with respect to the finishing tool depending on the location of the finishing tool with respect to the tool control path.
A system for finishing a surface of a part, comprising:
- a computer numerical control (CNC) tool configured to finish the surface of the part;
- and
- a robotic arm positioned on the CNC tool, the robotic arm configured to maneuver a finishing tool positioned on an end of the robotic arm in a three dimensional tool control path along the surface of the part, the three dimensional tool control path including a path that travels along at least one flat surface and the at least one curved surface of the part, the robotic arm configured to rotate the finishing tool about an axis substantially normal to the at least one curved surface and the at least one flat surface during a finishing operation, wherein the CNC tool is configured to vary a tool center point (TCP) of the finishing tool depending on the location of the finishing tool with respect to the three dimensional tool control path during the finishing operation.
A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing a computer program executable by a processor for finishing a surface of a part, comprising:
- computer code for finishing the surface of the part on a computer numerical control (CNC) tool, the computer code configured to maneuver a finishing tool positioned on a robotic arm of the CNC machine along a tool control path that travels along at least one flat surface and at least one curved surface of the part, wherein the computer code is configured to rotate the finishing tool about an axis substantially normal to the at least one flat and at least one curved surfaces during the finishing, wherein during the finishing a location of a tool center point (TCP) varies with respect to the finishing tool depending on the location of the finishing tool with respect to the tool control path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.