Providing control signals for machine operations
AssigneeThe Shoe and Allied Trades Research Association
InventorsDonald Pettit, Stephen G. Abbott
Life of this patent
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Abstract
There is described a method of guiding a machine as it moves relative to a surface, which is preferably the surface of a workpiece on which the machine is working, by selectively magnetizing a layer of magnetic material provided at or close to the surface so as to define a path of movement, producing guidance signals during the relative movement by detecting the selective magnetization, and using the guidance signals to automatically guide the relative movement, so that the defined path is followed. Data other than guidance data may be provided on the layer by selective magnetization.
Claims44
A method of controlling a machine carrying out machine operations on a workpiece along a predetermined path on a surface portion of said workpiece, said workpiece including magnetic material in an area substantially coextensive with said surface portion, said method comprising:
- selectively magnetizing said material to record control instructions thereon;
- moving said workpiece through said machine so that said machine operations are carried out along said path;
- detecting said selective magnetization during said movement to produce control signals;
- and
- utilizing said control signals to control said machine.
A method of guiding a workpiece through a work station on a machine so that a machine operation is carried out on the workpiece on successive portions thereof along a predetermined path, comprising:
- providing a layer of magnetic material in fixed relation to a surface portion of said workpiece, said layer being substantially coextensive with said surface portion;
- selectively magnetizing said layer to form thereon a guideline which defines said path;
- moving said workpiece towards said work station;
- detecting said selective magnetization during said movement to provide a signal dependent upon said detection;
- and
- utilizing said signal to control the guiding of said workpiece along said path.
A method of controlling a machine carrying out machine operations on a workpiece along a predetermined path on a surface portion of said workpiece, said method comprising:
- providing a layer of magnetic material in fixed relation to said surface portion, said layer being substantially coextensive with said surface portion;
- selectively magnetizing said layer to record control instructions thereon;
- moving said workpiece through said machine so that said machine operations are carried out along said path;
- detecting said selective magnetization of said layer during said movement to produce control signals;
- and
- utilizing said control signals to control said machine operations.
A method of guiding a workpiece through a work station so that a machine operation is carried out on the workpiece on successive portions thereof along a predetermined path, said workpiece including magnetic material in an area substantially coextensive with a surface portion thereof, said method comprising:
- selectively magnetizing said material to form thereon a guideline which defines said path;
- moving said workpiece towards said work station;
- detecting said selective magnetization during said movement to provide a signal dependent upon said detection;
- and
- utilizing said signal to control the guiding of said workpiece along said path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.