Automated apparatus and method of generating native code for a stitching machine
AssigneeMcDonnell Douglas Corporation
InventorJeffrey L. Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A computer system automatically generates CNC code for a stitching machine. The computer determines the locations of a present stitching point and a next stitching point. If a constraint is not found between the present stitching point and the next stitching point, the computer generates code for making a stitch at the next stitching point. If a constraint is found, the computer generates code for changing a condition (e.g., direction) of the stitching machine's stitching head.
Claims22
A method of using a processor to generate native code for a CNC stitching machine, the CNC machine including a stitching head, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing stitching parameters to the processor;
- providing geometric parameters of the surface of a part to be stitched to the processor, the geometric parameters including part geometry and part constraints;
- and
- using the processor to perform the following steps for each present stitching point:
- determine the location of the next stitching point;
- look for a constraint between the present stitching point and the next stitching point;
- generate code for making a stitch at the next stitching point when a constraint is not found;
- and
- generate code for changing a condition of the stitching head when a constraint is found;
- whereby the processor generates instructions for making the stitches and instructions for avoiding the constraints.
Apparatus for generating CNC code for a stitching machine, the stitching machine having at least one stitching head, the apparatus comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- computer memory encoded with data for instructing the processor to access stitching parameters;
- access providing geometric parameters of the surface of a part to be stitched including part geometry and part constraints;
- and perform the following for each present stitching point:
- determine the location of the next stitching point;
- look for a constraint between the present stitching point and the next stitching point;
- generate code for making a stitch at the next stitching point when a constraint is not found;
- and
- generate code for changing a condition of the stitching head when a constraint is found;
- whereby the processor generates instructions for making the stitches and instructions for avoiding the constraints.
An article of manufacture comprising:
- computer memory;
- and
- data encoded in the computer memory, the data, when executed, instructing a computer to access stitching parameters;
- access providing geometric parameters of the surface of a part to be stitched including part geometry and part constraints;
- and perform the following for each present stitching point:
- determine the location of the next stitching point;
- look for a constraint between the present stitching point and the next stitching point;
- generate code for making a stitch at the next stitching point when a constraint is not found;
- and
- generate code for changing a condition of the stitching head when a constraint is found;
- whereby the computer generates instructions for making the stitches and instructions for avoiding the constraints.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.