Evaluating excessive tolerances in NC parts programs
AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft
InventorChristof Sinn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a process for determining when tolerances are exceeded during generation of NC parts programs, the defined CAD geometry is converted into an equivalent grid, preferably a triangular grid. A surface corresponding to the NC parts programs in form of a triangular grid is generated after conversion of the CAD geometry. The parts program takes into consideration the geometric attributes of the milling tool (diameter, shape, etc.). After two triangular grids have been generated from the starting data, i.e. the CAD geometry and the NC parts program, the distance between the two grids can be calculated and visualized.
Claims20
A method for determining excessive tolerances in the generation of NC parts programs comprising:
- converting a predetermined CAD geometry into a first grid, said first grid defining a first grid surface,
- generating NC program data of an NC parts program based on the predetermined CAD geometry,
- generating a second grid from the NC program data said second grid defining a second grid surface corresponding to one of the NC program data and a control output,
- determining distance values between the first grid and the second grid, rendering a visualization of one of the determined distance values, and the distance values that exceed a predetermined tolerance threshold computing corresponding difference volume values from the determined distance values, and rendering a visualization of the difference volume values as interpolated colors, with the interpolated color of a volume value interpolated between a color assigned to a maximum volume value and a color assigned to a minimum volume value.
Use of a method for determining excessive tolerances in the generation of NC parts programs in a virtual manufacturing operation of a workpiece that employs different machining instructions, the method comprising the steps of:
- converting a predetermined CAD geometry into a first grid, said first grid defining a first grid surface,
- generating NC program data of an NC parts program based on the predetermined CAD geometry,
- generating a second grid from the NC program data, said second grid defining a second grid surface corresponding to one of the NC program data and a control output,
- determining distance values between the first grid and the second grid, rendering a visualization of one of the determined distance values and the distance values that exceed redetermined tolerance threshold, computing corresponding difference volume values from the determined distance values, and rendering a visualization of the difference volume values as interpolated colors, with the interpolated color of a volume value interpolated between a color assigned to a maximum volume value and a color assigned to a minimum volume value.
A device for determining excessive tolerances in the generation of NC parts programs comprising:
- means for converting a predetermined CAD geometry into a first grid, said first grid defining a first grid surface,
- means for generating NC program data of an NC parts program based on the predetermined CAD geometry,
- means for generating a second grid from the NC program data, said second grid defining a second grid surface corresponding to one of the NC program data and a control output,
- means for determining distance values between the first grid and the second grid,
- means for rendering a visualization of one of the determined distance values and the distance values that exceed a predetermined tolerance threshold, means for computing corresponding difference volume values from the determined distance values, and means for rendering a visualization of the difference volume values as interpolated colors, with the interpolated color of a volume value interpolated between a color assigned to a maximum volume value and a color assigned to a minimum volume value.
A computer program product adapted to run on a digital simulation computer, the computer program comprising:
- computer program means for converting a predetermined CAD geometry into a first grid, said first grid defining a first and surface,
- computer program means for generating NC program data of an NC parts program based on the predetermined CAD geometry,
- computer program means for generating a second grid from the NC program data, said second grid defining a second grid surface corresponding to one of the NC program data and a control output,
- computer program means for determining distance values between the first grid and the second grid,
- computer program means for rendering a visualization of one of the determined distance values and the distance values that exceed a predetermined tolerance threshold, computer program means for computing corresponding difference volume values from the determined distance values, and computer program means for rendering a visualization of the difference volume values as interpolated colors, with the interpolated color of a volume value interpolated between a color assigned to a maximum volume value and a color assigned to a minimum volume value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.