Computerized tool path generation
AssigneeSolidcam Ltd.
InventorsMichael BERMAN, Doron OSOVLANSKI, Christopher Matthew CALDERONE, Anthony Joseph CALDERONE
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated computer-implemented method for generating commands for controlling a computer numerically controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the method including the steps of selecting a maximum permitted engagement angle between a rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, selecting a minimum permitted engagement angle between the rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, and configuring a tool path for the tool relative to the workpiece in which the engagement angle gradually varies between the maximum permitted engagement angle and the minimum permitted engagement angle.
Claims14
-13. (canceled)
An automated computer-controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the machine comprising:
- a controller operative for directing a rotating cutting tool along a tool path relative to said workpiece in which an engagement angle between said tool and said workpiece gradually varies between a preselected maximum permitted engagement angle and a preselected minimum permitted engagement angle.
-34. (canceled)
An automated computer-controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the machine comprising:
- a controller operative for selecting a region of said workpiece to be removed by a rotating cutting tool;
- and for
- directing said rotating cutting tool along an asymmetric spiral tool path in said region of said workpiece, which spiral tool path maximizes the portion of said region of said workpiece which is removed by said rotating cutting tool moving along said asymmetric spiral tool path.
-54. (canceled)
An automated computer-controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the machine comprising a controller operative for:
- selecting a region of said workpiece to be removed by a rotating cutting tool;
- selecting a first portion of said region to be removed by an asymmetric spiral tool path;
- and for
- directing said rotating cutting tool along at least one trochoidal-like tool path in said region of said workpiece;
- and wherein said selecting a first portion of said region is operative to minimize the machining time necessary to remove said region.
-69. (canceled)
An automated computer-controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the machine comprising a controller operative for:
- considering the cross section of a desired object to be fabricated from a workpiece;
- defining isolated regions of said cross section on said workpiece surface which are not to be removed as islands;
- and for
- initially directing said tool along a tool path in a region not having islands;
- and
- upon said tool path encountering an island, for directing said tool along a tool path which defines a moat surrounding said island.
71-84. (canceled)
An automated computer-controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the machine comprising:
- a controller operative for identifying at least one open region for which a first machining time needed to remove said region is longer than a second machining time needed to divide said region into two independent regions by removing a separating channel by a rotating cutting tool between said two independent regions and removing said two independent regions;
- and for
- directing said tool along a trochoidal-like tool path in said at least one separating channel extending between two points on edges of an external boundary of said region, thereby dividing said region into at least two independent regions.
-100. (canceled)
An automated computer-controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the machine comprising:
- a controller operative for identifying at least one semi-open region for which a first machining time needed to remove said region by employing a trochoidal-like tool path is longer than a second machining time needed to isolate said region by removing separating channels between said region and all closed external boundary segments of said region and removing the remainder of said region;
- and for
- directing said tool along a trochoidal-like tool path in said at least one separating channel between said region and all closed external boundary segments of said region, thereby defining a remaining open region to be removed.
-103. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.