Method and system for generating numerically controlled tool paths on a solid model
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsMichael Graham, Nathan Smith, John Jackson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for defining a numerically controlled (NC) tool path on a identified region of a solid computer model is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes identifying boundary points so as to bound the identified region. The boundary points are processed so as to generate a plurality of bounding curves, wherein the bounding curves are generated so as to conform to a surface of the identified region. The NC tool path is then generated in a manner conforming to the bounding curves.
Claims22
A method for defining a numerically controlled (NC) tool path on a user defined identified region of a solid computer model, the method comprising:
- identifying boundary points, wherein said boundary points are selected so as to bound the identified region in a manner independent of the geometry of the solid computer model;
- and
- processing said boundary points, so as to generate a plurality of bounding curves, wherein said bounding curves are generated so as to conform to a surface of the identified region;
- wherein the NC tool path is generated in a manner conforming to said bounding curves.
A method for defining a numerically controlled (NC) tool path on a user defined identified region of a solid computer model, the method comprising:
- identifying boundary points, wherein said boundary points are selected so as to bound the identified region;
- creating a first external rail from a first pair of said boundary points, said first external rail comprising a curve conforming to a surface of the solid computer model;
- creating a second external rail from a second pair of said boundary points, said second external rail also comprising a curve conforming to a surface of the solid computer mode;
- and
- creating a plurality of rungs from user defined rung connection points on said first and said second external rails;
- wherein the NC tool path is generated in a manner conforming to said conforming curves defined by said first and second external rails and said rungs.
A computer storage medium, comprising:
- a machine readable computer program code for defining a numerically controlled (NC) tool path on a user defined identified region of a solid computer model;
- instructions for causing a computer to implement a method, the method further comprising:
- identifying boundary points, wherein said boundary points are selected so as to bound the identified region in a manner independent of the geometry of the solid computer model;
- and
- processing said boundary points, so as to generate a plurality of bounding curves, wherein said bounding curves are generated so as to conform to a surface of the identified region;
- wherein the NC tool path is generated in a manner conforming to said bounding curves.
A computer storage medium, comprising:
- a machine readable computer program code for defining a numerically controlled (NC) tool path on a user defined identified region of a solid computer model;
- instructions for causing a computer to implement a method, the method further comprising:
- identifying boundary points, wherein said boundary points are selected so as to bound the identified region in a manner independent of the geometry of the solid computer model;
- and
- processing said boundary points, so as to generate a plurality of bounding curves, wherein said bounding curves are generated so as to conform to a surface of the identified region;
- wherein the NC tool path is generated in a manner conforming to said bounding curves.
A system for defining a numerically controlled (NC) tool path on a user defined identified region of a solid computer model, the system comprising:
- an input device for selecting boundary points so as to bound the identified region in a manner independent of the geometry of the solid computer model;
- a processing device for processing said boundary points, so as to generate a plurality of bounding curves, wherein said bounding curves are generated so as to conform to a surface of the identified region;
- and
- a display device for displaying said bounded curves upon said surface of the identified region;
- wherein the NC tool path is generated in a manner conforming to said bounding curves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.