Method and apparatus for producing signs with prismatic letters and graphic images

An article comprising a sign with prismatic graphic images in sheet material of a predetermined thickness using a cutting machine which is responsive to tool path signals and has a rotary cutting tool for removing material from the sheet material, the cutting tool having an axis of rotation, a radius as measured normal to the axis to an edge of the tool, a cutting surface and a cutting angle defined by the cutting surface and a plane normal to the axis, the graphic images having a preselected, two-dimensional initial graphic representation, the article produced in accordance with a method comprising the steps of:

• generating signals indicative of an initial graphic representation of the graphic images to be produced in the sheet material in accordance with a graphic images generating program, the initial graphic representation being defined by a predetermined data set;
• determining a maximum stroke width of the graphic images in accordance with the initial graphic representation and generating signals indicative of the maximum stroke width;
• determining tool paths in accordance with the signals indicative of the initial graphic representation, the signals indicative of the maximum stroke width, and the signals indicative of the tool radius and cutting angle, the tool paths being oriented generally normal to the axis of rotation, and generating signals indicative of the tool paths;
• and
• presenting the signals indicative of the tool paths to the automated cutting machine.

An apparatus for controlling an automated cutting machine for producing prismatic graphic images in sheet material having a predetermined thickness, the automated cutting machine being responsive to tool path signals and having a rotary cutting tool for removing material from the sheet material, the cutting tool having an axis of rotation, a radius extending from the axis to an outer edge of the tool, a cutting surface and a cutting angle defined by the cutting surface and a plane normal to the axis, the graphic images having a preselected, two-dimensional initial graphic representation, the apparatus comprising:

• means for generating signals indicative of an initial graphic representation of the graphic images to be produced in the sheet material in accordance with a graphic images generating program, the initial graphic representation being defined by a predetermined data set;
• means for determining a maximum stroke width of the graphic images in accordance with the initial graphic representation and for generating signals indicative of the maximum stroke width;
• means for determining tool paths in accordance with the signals indicative of the initial graphic representation, the signal indicative of the maximum stroke width, and the signals indicative of the tool radius and cutting angle, the tool paths being oriented substantially normal to the axis of rotation, and for generating signals indicative of the tool paths;
• and
• means for presenting the signals indicative of the tool paths to the automated cutting machine.