# US 2017/0255183 A1 · Direct client initiated cnc tool setting > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0255183 A1 - Document ID: US20170255183A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/450,189 - Filed: 2017-03-06 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-04 - Assignees: Inovatech Engineering Corporation - Applicants: Inovatech Engineering Corp. - Inventors: MIGUEL CLEMENT; STEPHANE MENARD; DOMINIQUE BRUNEAU; DAVID GABRIELS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170255183A1 ## CPC - G05B 19/402: characterised by control arrangements for positioning, e.g. centring a tool relative to a hole in the workpiece, additional detection means to correct position (G05B19/19 takes precedence) - B25J 9/1697: {Vision controlled systems} - B25J 11/0055: {Cutting} - B23K 10/006: {Control circuits therefor} - B23K 26/38: by boring or cutting - B23K 26/702: {Auxiliary equipment} - G05B 2219/39393: Camera detects projected image, compare with reference image, position end effector - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - B25J: MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES ({manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery A61B34/70; manipulators used in cleaning hollow articles B08B9/04}; manipulators associated with rolling mills B21B39/20; manipulators associated with forging machines B21J13/10; {manipulators associated with picking-up and placing mechanisms B23P19/007}; means for holding wheels or parts thereof B60B30/00; {vehicles with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members B62D57/02, B62D57/032; devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials between conveyors B65G47/90, B65G47/91; manipulators with gripping or holding means for transferring packages B65H67/065}; cranes B66C; {manipulators used in the protection or supervision of pipe-line installations F17D5/00; walking equipment adapted for nuclear steam-generators F22B37/006}; manipulators specially adapted for, or associated with, nuclear reactors G21C; {apparatus used for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor H10P72/50}) - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM ## Abstract Computer numerical control (CNC) machines execute a process automatically unless a condition occurs that triggers one or more alarms that terminate the process. Accordingly, CNC laser cutting post-process inspection is usually non-existent or minimal. However, with CNC laser welding it is more common for a visual inspection or automated inspection to be performed to verify that the process was completed. Similar issues occur when single piece parts are required in addition to which executing an offline inspection requires additional complexity in re-working any piece part. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide enterprises and facilities employing CNC laser cutting/welding systems with a means to overcome these limitations. Further, providing intuitive user interfaces allows the user to perform tasks directly through a touch screen interface they are viewing the work piece/piece-parts upon. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: automatically inspecting a piece-part processed by a computer numerical control (CNC) machine once a predetermined process with the CNC machine has been completed comprising re-executing at least one movement of at least one of a platform supporting the piece-part forming a first part of the CNC machine and a tool forming a second part of the CNC machine, wherein the movement is part of the predetermined process; and the CNC machine tool captures an image of a plurality of images at least one of during the movement and upon completion of the movement. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the image of the plurality of images are transmitted from the CNC machine tool via a network to at least one of a remote server for storage and to a remote system associated with at least one of a first enterprise purchasing the piece-part and a second enterprise manufacturing the piece-part. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a re-work command in association the image of the plurality of images; re-positioning the CNC machine, tool and piece-part in dependence upon a location on the piece-part associated with the image; performing a re-work of the piece-part; and capturing a re-work image of the piece-part at the location associated with the image of the plurality of images. ### Claim 4 A method comprising: displaying to a user a view of an item either to be subjected to a process or subjected to a process by a computer numerical control (CNC) machine; receiving from the user an indication of a location for an additional process to be performed on the item through a graphical user interface displaying the view of the item to the user; and upon receiving the indication for a process to be performed adding the location to the processing sequence to be performed; and upon receiving the indication once the item has been subjected to the process performing an addition process at indicated location. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, wherein the process is executed using the CNC machine and a tool forming a part of the CNC machine. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the tool is a plasma cutting torch. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, wherein the location is generated directly by the user on a touch screen displaying the image to the user. ### Claim 8 A method comprising: displaying to a user a view of an item either to be subjected to a process or subjected to a process by a computer numerical control (CNC) machine; receiving from the user an indication of a location and an element generated from the item through a graphical user interface displaying the view of the item to the user; and upon receiving the indication in relation to the item prior to its being subjected to a process to be performed adding the location and element to the processing sequence to be performed; and upon receiving the indication in relation to the item once it has been subjected to a process moving the item to the location indicated and generating the element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the process is executed using the CNC machine and a tool forming a part of the CNC machine. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein the tool is a plasma cutting torch. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8, wherein the location is generated directly by the user on a touch screen displaying the image to the user; and the element may be at least one of moved and rotated by the user directly upon the touch screen. ### Claim 12 A method comprising: displaying to a user a view of an item either to be subjected to a process or subjected to a process by a computer numerical control (CNC) machine; presenting to the user a list of available elements that would fit within a portion of the item not associated with a structure associated with the process; receiving from the user an indication of a selected element from the list of available elements through a graphical user interface displaying the view of the item to the user and the list of available elements; and upon receiving the indication in relation to the item prior to its being subjected to a process to be performed adding the selected element to the processing sequence to be performed; and upon receiving the indication in relation to the item once it has been subjected to a process moving the item to the portion of the item not associated with a structure associated with the process and performing an additional process in dependence upon the selected element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the process is executed using the CNC machine and a tool forming a part of the CNC machine. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, wherein the tool is a plasma cutting torch. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the CNC machine automatically determines whether multiple instances of the selected item can be disposed within the portion of the item not associated with a structure associated with the process. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the list of available elements is determined in dependence upon at least a characteristic of the item. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the list of available elements is determined in dependence upon determining an available footprint upon the item and determining which elements will fit within the available footprint. ### Claim 18 A method comprising establishing through user input a region of a work piece to be processed by a computer numerical control (CNC) machine based upon the acquisition of work piece image data with a camera associated with a robot forming part of the CNC machine and user manipulation of an overlay presented in combination with the work piece image data. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, wherein the work piece image data is acquired in a series of steps determined by the image field of the camera associated with the robot and the dimensions of the work piece and the discrete images for each step are stitched together to form the work piece image. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method according to claim 18, wherein user manipulation of the overlay is performed relative to the work piece image data through a graphical user interface and selection of a command to process automatically moves the work piece to the appropriate location for the robot to process one or more elements selected within the overlay.