Apparatus for integrated tool manufacture and method therefor

A method for controlling a machine tool and an associated measuring device, comprising the steps of:

• A) actuating an input module for furnishing a supply of input objects which set up a description of a workpiece for selection, and one or more input parameters that are interrogated belong to each input object, and furnishing a supply of measurement objects for selection, and links of selected measurement objects with input objects are brought about;
• B) actuating a display module for displaying an image of a tool resulting from the chosen selection of input objects and the inputs;
• C) actuating a machining program module for generating, on the basis of the chosen selection of input objects and the parameters input therefor, a machine control program which serves to control a machine tool;
• and
• D) actuating a measurement program module for generating, from the chosen selection of measurement objects and their linkage with input objects, a measurement program for controlling a measuring device, wherein there is determined, from the selected input objects, which are each linked with a machining operation, and from the associated inputs, a geometrical model that defines the surface of a tool, wherein the geometric model is displayed.

A method for controlling a machine tool and an associated measuring device, comprising the steps of:

• A) actuating an input module for furnishing a supply of input objects which set up a description of a workpiece for selection, and one or more input parameters that are interrogated belong to each input object, and furnishing a supply of measurement objects for selection, and links of selected measurement objects with input objects are brought about;
• B) actuating a display module for displaying an image of a tool resulting from the chosen selection of input objects and the inputs;
• C) actuating a machining program module for generating, on the basis of the chosen selection of input objects and the parameters input therefor, a machine control program which serves to control a machine tool;
• and
• D) actuating a measurement program module for generating, from the chosen selection of measurement objects and their linkage with input objects, a measurement program for controlling a measuring device, wherein measurement parameters are defined on the basis of the selected input objects and associated input parameters and wherein inspection points are among the measurement parameters.

An apparatus for integrated tool manufacture, comprising:

• an input module means for making a supply of input objects accessible that serve to produce a description of a workpiece, there being one or more input parameters belonging to each input object, the input module means permitting the selection of input objects and inputting their input parameters and making a supply of measurement objects accessible, from among which measurement objects are selected and linked with input objects or input parameters,
• display module means for visually displaying a geometric model that defines the surface of a tool resulting from the chosen selection of input objects and the inputs,
• machining program module means for generating from the chosen selection of input objects and the parameters to be input therefor, a machine control program serving to control a machine tool, and
• measurement program module means which from the chosen selection of measurement objects and their linkage with input objects, serves a measurement program for controlling a measuring device.

An apparatus for integrated tool manufacture, comprising:

• an input module means for making a supply of input objects accessible that serve to produce a description of a workpiece, there being one or more input parameters belonging to each input object, the input module means permitting the selection of input objects and inputting their input parameters and making a supply of measurement objects accessible, from among which measurement objects are selected and linked with input objects or input parameters,
• display module means for visually displaying a geometric model that defines the surface of a tool resulting from the chosen selection of input objects and the inputs,
• machining program module means for generating from the chosen selection of input objects and the parameters to be input therefor, a machine control program serving to control a machine tool, and
• measurement program module means which from the chosen selection of measurement objects and their linkage with input objects, serves a measurement program for controlling a measuring device wherein measurement parameters are defined on the basis of the selected input objects and associated input parameters and wherein inspection points are among the measurement parameters.