Systems and methods for generating and mapping of numerically controlled tool paths in design applications
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorGunes Avni Yigit
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for generating tool paths across a surface of a computer aided design (CAD) model having a complex shape. The method includes defining at least one reference point on the surface of the CAD model, generating a plurality of substantially equi-spaced reference points across the surface of the CAD model; connecting each of the reference points together with straight lines such that a first tool path is formed by a culmination of the straight lines; generating a second tool path across the surface of the CAD model; and, generating a plurality of intermediate tool paths that extend linearly between the first tool path and second tool path across the surface of a CAD model.
Claims21
A method for generating tool paths across a surface of a computer aided design (CAD) model, the surface having a complex shape, the method comprising:
- defining at least one reference point on the surface of the CAD model;
- generating a plurality of substantially equi-spaced reference points across the surface of the CAD model;
- connecting each of the reference points together with straight lines such that a first tool path is formed by a culmination of the straight lines;
- generating a second tool path across the surface of the CAD model;
- and,
- generating a plurality of intermediate tool paths that extend linearly between the first tool path and second tool path across the surface of a CAD model.
A system for generating tool paths across a surface of a computer aided design (CAD) model, the surface having a complex shape, the system comprising:
- a user input;
- a media output;
- and,
- a processor connected to the user input and media output, wherein in response to a user defining at least one reference point on the surface of the CAD model, the processor is programmed to:
- generate a plurality of substantially equi-spaced reference points across the surface of the CAD model;
- connect each of the reference points together with straight lines such that a first tool path is formed by a culmination of the straight lines;
- generate a second tool path across the surface of the CAD model;
- and,
- generate a plurality of intermediate tool paths that extend linearly between the first tool path and second tool path across the surface of a CAD model.
A computer implemented method for generating tool paths across a surface of a computer aided design (CAD) model, the surface having a complex shape, the method comprising:
- defining, by a user, at least one reference point on the surface of the CAD model;
- generating, by a processor, a plurality of substantially equi-spaced reference points across the surface of the CAD model;
- connecting, by the processor, each of the reference points together with straight lines such that a first tool path is formed by a culmination of the straight lines;
- generating, by the user, a second tool path across the surface of the CAD model;
- and,
- generating, by the processor, a plurality of intermediate tool paths that extend linearly between the first tool path and the second tool paths across the surface of a CAD model.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.