Process and apparatus for graphically representing a variable structure in perspective

An apparatus for generating a perspective representation on a display, wherein the perspective representation is of a variable three dimensional structure processed by an object, the apparatus comprising:

• a memory;
• a data processing unit comprising:
• means for resolving the structure into a plurality of structure sections and storing a first plurality of coordinates which define said structure sections in the memory;
• means for resolving the object into a plurality of object sections and storing a second plurality of coordinates which define the object sections;
• means for superimposing in the memory region the structure sections with corresponding ones of the object sections as determined by relative movement between the object and the structure to generate a plurality of modified structure sections;
• means for altering the first plurality of coordinates in the memory to correspond to a plurality of inner contours defined by the modified structure sections;
• means for superimposing in the memory the modified sections with adjacent ones of the modified sections offset from one another in at least one of two orthogonal directions to generate a plurality of offset superimposed modified sections;
• means for determining resultant outer contours defined by the offset superimposed modified sections;
• and
• means for displaying the resultant outer contours.

A process for representing a workpiece processed by a numerically controlled tool, the numerically controlled tool of the type responsive to data and commands for the processing of a workpiece, the process comprising:

• (a) generating a plurality of first data representative of the contours of a plurality of cross-sections through the workpiece wherein the cross-sections are formed substantially parallel to one another;
• (b) generating a plurality of second data representative of the contours of a plurality of cross-sections through the machine tool wherein the cross-sections are formed substantially parallel to one another;
• (c) combining the plurality of first and second data in correspondence with the data and commands for controlling the processing of the workpiece by the machine tool;
• (d) generating a plurality of third data representative of the inner contours defined by the combined contours;
• (e) combining the contours represented by the third data such that each contour is shifted in at least one of two orthogonal directions by a selectable amount;
• (f) generating a plurality of fourth data representative of the outer contours of the combined and shifted contours of step (e);
• and
• (g) displaying the fourth data.

An apparatus for representing a workpiece processed by a numerically controlled tool, the numerically controlled tool of the type responsive to data and commands for the processing of a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:

• means for processing data comprising:
• means for generating a plurality of first data representative of the contours of a plurality of cross-sections through the workpiece wherein the cross-sections are formed substantially parallel to one another;
• means for generating a plurality of second data representative of the contours of a plurality of cross-sections through the machine tool wherein the cross-sections are formed substantially parallel to one another;
• means for combining the plurality of first and second data in correspondence with the stored data and commands for controlling the processing of the workpiece by the machine tool;
• means for generating a plurality of third data representative of the inner contours defined by the combined contours;
• means for combining the contours represented by the third data such that each contour is shifted in at least one of two orthogonal directions by a selectable amount;
• means for generating a plurality of fourth data representative of the outer contours of the combined and shifted contours;
• and
• means for displaying the fourth data.

An apparatus for generating a perspective representation on a display wherein the perspective representation is of a variable three dimensional structure processed by an object responsive to data and commands, the apparatus comprising:

• computational means to generate and store coordinate data of the contours of a plurality of sections through the structure and through the object;
• a first image point memory region;
• a video controller operable to write the contours of the structure and the object in the first image point memory region such that selected contours of the structure and of the object are superimposed on one another in accordance with the data and commands;
• and
• a second image point memory region;
• the computational means in communication with the first image point memory region and further operative to generate data representative of the outer and inner contours resulting from the superimposed contours and to transfer the data to the second image point memory region;
• the video controller, computational means and the first and second image point memory region cooperating to display a three dimensional representation of the processed structure.