Method and apparatus for programming a CNC machine
AssigneeThermwood Corporation
InventorsKenneth J. Susnjara, Philip J. Poth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for programming the motion of a machine tool in a three-dimensional machining space defined by an X, Y and Z coordinate system, the machine tool having a spindle linearly displaceable in three orthogonal X, Y and Z axes and rotatable about two mutually perpendicular A and C axes within the machining space. A probe, mounted in the spindle and coupled to transducers, is moved by hand through a desired cutting path for an actual part. A computer connected to the transducers moves the machine in the direction that the probe is moved and selectively records the position of the probe to create an NC parts program that replicates the cutting path motions.
Claims24
A device for programming the motion of a machine tool in a three-dimensional machining space defined by an X, Y, and Z coordinate system, said machine tool having a spindle linearly displaceable in three orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes, comprising
- a probe mounted in said spindle;
- a transducer coupled to said probe and responsive to a displacement force applied to said probe for generating a displacement vector representative of the magnitude and direction of said displacement force;
- a computer connected to said transducer for receiving said displacement vector;
- and
- a drive means connected to said computer and responsive to said computer for moving said machine tool along at least one of said X, Y and Z axes commensurate with said displacement vector.
A method of programming the motion of a machine tool in a three-dimensional machining space defined by an X, Y, and Z coordinate system, said machine tool having a spindle linearly displaceable in three orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes comprising:
- mounting a probe in said spindle;
- coupling a transducer to said probe;
- applying a displacement force to said probe for generating a displacement vector representative of the magnitude and direction of said displacement force;
- receiving said displacement vector in a computer;
- and
- moving said machine tool along at least one of said X, Y and Z axes commensurate with said displacement vector under control of said computer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.