Automated engraving apparatus and method
AssigneeQuick-Tag, Inc.
InventorsMark E. Goldman, Michel A. Aubert, Alexander M. Shenderovich, Jagat R. Acharya
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated apparatus and method for engraving a workpiece selected from a plurality of workpiece styles, and dispensing the engraved workpiece along with a related accessory. Upon receipt of workpiece selection and text information supplied by a user, the controller generates drive signal which cause the apparatus to: retrieve the selected workpiece from one of a plurality of workpiece storage columns, move the workpiece to an engraving location, engrave the workpiece using a workpiece-specific engraving tool pressure, and dispense of the accessory from one of a plurality of accessory storage columns.
Claims23
An automated engraving system for engraving user designated indicia upon a user selected workpiece comprising:
- user interface means for prompting the user to select a workpiece from a group of possible workpieces and to supply information about indicia to be engraved on the workpiece, and for identifying a location of a workpiece selected by the user and providing the user supplied indicia information;
- control means responsive to the supplied indicia information and the identified location of the selected workpiece for generating workpiece handling control signals and engraving control signals;
- workpiece handling means responsive to the workpiece handling control signals for retrieving the user selected workpiece and placing it in an engraving position in preparation for an engraving operation;
- and
- engraving means for engraving a work piece which is located in the engraving position in accordance with the engraving control signals.
An automated engraving system in which a workpiece is engraved in accordance with data supplied by a user, the user-supplied data indicating a selected type of workpiece and indicia to be engraved on the workpiece, comprising:
- control means for receiving the data supplied by the user, for generating formatting instructions, workpiece handling instructions, and engraving instructions corresponding to the user-supplied data, and for converting said instructions into control signals;
- retrieving means responsive to control signals generated by the control means, for retrieving a workpiece of the selected type from its respective storage location and for moving the workpiece to an engraving position;
- clamping means for clamping the workpiece in the engraving position;
- and
- engraving means responsive to control signals generated by the control means for engraving the designated indicia onto the workpiece.
An apparatus for dispensing an object, comprising:
- a plurality of object storage columns;
- a carriage positionable adjacent to each of the storage columns;
- a first motor for moving the carriage;
- a picking arm mounted to the carriage, the picking arm rotatable when positioned in alignment with one of the storage columns to release an object stored in the column into a dispensing location, and
- a second motor which carries the picking arm and which is carried by the carriage for rotating the picking arm.
An apparatus for handling an object, comprising:
- an object storage column having an object feeding location;
- a partially compressed spring positioned inside the object storage column to apply force against the object and to feed and bias the object from the column into the feeding location;
- a plate having an opening and positionable with its opening in registration with the feeding location of the column and further positionable to a work position, the plate further having a relief formed around the opening, the relief facing the column and having a shape corresponding to the shape of the object and having a diameter that is smaller than that of the object;
- and
- biasing means for biasing the object against the relief when the object is situated in the relief and the plate has been positioned to the work position.
An apparatus for manipulating an engraving tool to engrave a workpiece, comprising:
- an engraving tool;
- first manipulating means for manipulating the tool in an X direction and a Y direction;
- and
- a motor for incrementally manipulating the tool in a Z direction to raise and lower the engraving tip from a surface of the workpiece and to adjust pressure between the engraving tip and the workpiece when the engraving tip and workpiece are in contact with one another.
An apparatus for manipulating an engraving tool to engrave a workpiece, comprising:
- an engraving tool;
- first manipulating means for manipulating the tool in an X direction and a Y direction;
- and
- second manipulating means for manipulating the tool in a Z direction to raise and lower the engraving tip from a surface of the workpiece and to adjust pressure on the engraving tip, the second manipulating means including a spring biased stepper motor for urging the tool against the workpiece.
A method of controlling an engraving system of the type having a workpiece storage unit, an automated workpiece handling system for moving a selected workpiece from the workpiece storage unit, securing it in an engraving location during engraving, and an engraving tool for engraving the selected workpiece, the control system comprising:
- (a) receiving user instructions from a user, the user instructions specifying a selected workpiece type and the indicia to be engraved onto a workpiece;
- (b) generating engraving instructions corresponding to the indicia in the user instructions;
- (c) converting the engraving instructions into engraving control signals;
- (d) generating workpiece retrieval instructions corresponding to a position containing the selected workpiece type in the workpiece storage device of the workpiece type specified by the user;
- (d) converting the workpiece retrieval instructions to workpiece retrieval control signals;
- (e) transferring the workpiece retrieval control signals to the workpiece handling system;
- (f) moving a selected workpiece from the workpiece storage location to an engraving location in response to the workpiece retrieval control signals;
- (g) transferring the engraving control signals to an engraving system;
- (f) engraving a surface of the selected workpiece in accordance with the engraving control signals to produce an engraved workpiece.
An automated engraving system in which a workpiece is engraved in accordance with data supplied by a user, the user-supplied data indicating indicia to be engraved on the workpiece, comprising:
- control means responsive to the supplied indicia information for generating workpiece handling control signals and engraving control signals;
- workpiece handling means responsive to the workpiece handling control signals for retrieving a workpiece and placing it in an engraving position in preparation for an engraving operation;
- and
- engraving means for engraving a work piece which is located in the engraving position in accordance with the engraving control signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.