Multi-axis cutter diameter compensation for numeric control machine tools
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorJoseph F. Page
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method, computer software program, and automated tool for utilizing cutters in the automated tool to produce a part includes measuring a cutter to determine a second radius, the second radius being different from a first radius, the first radius being the radius of the cutter as manufactured. A part for production on an automated tool is selected. The cutter is selected. The part is associated with the cutter. A numeric controlled cutting program based upon the second radius of the associated cutter is generated for producing the part.
Claims16
A tool for automatically milling a part, the tool comprising:
- a controllable end effecter with a chuck to accept a cutter having a second radius, different from a first radius, and having a gauge length, the cutter having been manufactured to have the first radius different from the second radius, the end effecter being configured to mill a part;
- and
- a central processing unit electrically coupled to the end effecter such that the central processing unit is configured to control the end effecter;
- and
- an addressable memory, the memory configured for storing computer software program code at a first addressable site within the addressable memory readably accessible to the central processing unit, the addressable memory-including:
- the second radius and the gauge length stored at a second addressable site within the addressable memory in association with the cutter;
- a first software component configured to select the cutter inserted in the chuck based upon the second radius of the cutter;
- a second software component configured to select a part for production, a numeric model of the part being stored at a third addressable site within the addressable memory in association with the part;
- and
- a third software component configured to initiate an executable program for execution on an automated tool, the third software component being stored at a fourth addressable site within the addressable memory, the third software component being further configured to generate an executable instruction set based upon the selected cutter, the second radius, and the gauge length and the selected part and associated numeric model, the third software component storing the executable instruction set at the first addressable memory site within the addressable memory.
A software product for commencing an executable instruction set stored at a first addressable site on a computer network and directing an automated tool to machine a part, the software product comprising:
- a first software component configured to select a cutter, based upon a second radius and gauge length of the cutter, the second radius different from a first radius, the first radius being the radius of the cutter as manufactured, and the second radius and gauge length_being stored at a second addressable site within the network in association with the cutter;
- a second software component configured to select a name of a part for production, a numeric model of the part being stored at a second addressable site within the network in association with the name;
- and
- a third software component configured to initiate an executable program for execution on an automated tool, the third software component being stored at a third addressable site within the network, the third software component being configured to generate an executable instruction set based upon the selected cutter and the second radius and gauge length and the selected part and associated numeric model, the third software component being further configured for storing the executable instruction set at the first addressable memory site within the network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.