Machining based on master program merged from parts programs
AssigneeShapex Solid Image Systems LP
InventorJoseph William Belanger
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A machining system is described having independently movable cutting instruments configured to simultaneously generate different parts. The cutting instruments are capable of independent motion along a Z-axis and are mounted on a common beam that traverses the parts in an X, Y plane. Merge software modules merge a number of part programs into a single master program. A control unit interprets the master program and controls the machining system to generate the parts. The software modules generate the master program such that all of the Z-axis move commands within the part programs are sequenced along a single X, Y traverse path based on a defined cutting strategy and cutting direction. In this manner, the machining system simultaneously produces a number of different parts.
Claims41
A method comprising:
- merging part programs into a master part program by
- identifying Z-axis move commands within the part programs,
- modifying an X,Y location for each Z-axis move command, and
- inserting updated Z-axis move commands into the master part program, and
- controlling a machine according to the master part program to cause independently movable cutting instruments to simultaneously machine different parts defined by the part programs.
A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon to cause a programmable processor to:
- merge a plurality of part programs into a master part program, including
- identify Z-axis move commands within the part programs,
- modify an X,Y location for each Z-axis move commands, and
- insert updated Z-axis move commands into the master part program;
- and
- control a machining system according to the master part program to cause independently movable cutting instruments to simultaneously machine different parts defined by the part programs.
A system comprising:
- a machine system having a plurality of independently movable cutting instruments;
- software configured to receive a plurality of part programs and merge the part programs into a master program, the software being configured to:
- identify Z-axis move commands within the part programs,
- modify an X,Y location for each Z-axis move command, and
- insert updated Z-axis move commands into the master part program;
- and
- a control unit to interpret a master program to simultaneously control the cutting instruments.
A method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of part programs;
- and
- merging the part programs into a master part program to define movements of cutting instruments used to produce parts so that a time period for producing one of the parts overlaps with another time period for producing another of the parts.
A method comprising:
- generating a master part program based on part programs, the master part program comprising commands to move cutting instruments to produce different parts defined by the part programs,
- the commands comprising a first command that causes the cutting instruments to move in a common direction dining a first time period,
- the commands comprising a second command that causes at least two of the cutting instruments to move in different directions or in a common direction and different distances during a second time period.
A method comprising:
- controlling a machine according to a master part program to cause independently movable cutting instruments to simultaneously machine different parts defined by part programs, the master part program having been merged from the part programs, and controlling the machine includes controlling a first set of independently movable cutting instruments to machine the different parts during a first time period, and controlling a second set of independently movable cutting instruments to machine the different parts during a second time period.
A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon to cause a programmable processor to:
- control a machine according to a master part program to cause independently movable cutting instruments to simultaneously machine different parts defined by part programs, the master part program having been merged from the part programs, the instructions causing the programmable processor to control a first set of independently movable cutting instruments to machine the different parts during a first time period, and to control a second set of independently movable cutting instruments to machine the different parts during a second time period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.