Clamp avoidance cutter path regeneration
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsRobert R. Wampler, Troy L. Wampler, Leonard A. Bailey, Rodney L. Benson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for clamping a part in an automated tool to produce the part includes selecting a part for production on an automated tool driving a cutter. Deriving a clamping scenario defines the positioning of a plurality of clamps to fix the part to the automated tool. Generating a numeric controlled cutting program is based upon the part and the clamping scenario. Simulating the running of the numeric controlled program predicts interferences between the cutter and any of the plurality of clamps.
Claims45
A method for clamping a part in an automated tool to produce the part, the method comprising:
- selecting a part for production on an automated tool configured to drive a cutter;
- deriving a clamping scenario for positioning a plurality of clamps to fix the part to the automated tool;
- generating a numeric controlled cutting program based upon the part and the clamping scenario;
- and
- automatically predicting interferences between the cutter and any of the plurality of clamps.
A software product stored on a computer readable medium, the software product for commencing an executable instruction set directing an automated tool to machine a part, the software product comprising:
- a user-interface stored at a first addressable memory site within a network, the interface including:
- a first software component configured to select a part for production on an automated tool configured to drive a cutter;
- a second software component configured to derive a clamping scenario for positioning a plurality of clamps to fix the part to the automated tool;
- a third software component configured to generate a numeric controlled cutting program based upon the part and the clamping scenario;
- and
- a fourth software component configured to automatically predict interferences between the cutter and any of the plurality of clamps.
A tool for automatically milling a part, the tool comprising:
- a controllable end effector having a chuck configured to accept a cutter, the end effector being configured to mill a part;
- and
- a central processing unit operationally coupled to the end effector, the central processing unit including:
- an addressable memory;
- and
- a user-interface stored at a first addressable memory site within the addressable memory, the interface including:
- a first software component configured to select a first clamping scenario, the first clamping scenario being stored at a second addressable site within the addressable memory in association with the identity of 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 third addressable site within the addressable memory in association with the name;
- and
- a third software component configured to generate a first executable instruction set based upon the clamping scenario and the selected part and associated numeric model, the third software component being further configured to initiate the first executable program for simulation on the automated tool, the third software component being stored at a fourth addressable site within the addressable memory.
A tool for automatically milling a part, the tool comprising:
- a central processing unit;
- and
- a graphic user interface, the graphic user interface including:
- a user interface;
- and
- a software program to run on the central processing unit and to receive signals from the user interface, the software including:
- a first software component configured to select a part for production on an automated tool configured to drive a cutter;
- a second software component configured to deriving a clamping scenario for positioning a plurality of clamps to fix the part to the automated tool;
- a third software component configured to generate a numeric controlled cutting program based upon the part and the clamping scenario;
- and
- a fourth software component configured to automatically predict interferences between the cutter and any of the plurality of clamps.
A tool for automatically milling a part, the tool comprising:
- a controllable cutter;
- and
- a central processing unit operationally coupled to the controllable cutter, the central processing unit including:
- an addressable memory;
- a user interface;
- and
- a graphic user interface software component stored at a first addressable memory site within the addressable memory;
- the graphic user interface configured to run on the central processing unit and to receive signals from the user interface, the software including
- a first software component configured to select a part for production on an automated tool configured to drive the cutter responsive to signals from the user interface;
- a second software component configured to deriving a clamping scenario for positioning a plurality of clamps to fix the part to the automated tool responsive to signals from the user interface;
- a third software component configured to generate a numeric controlled cutting program based upon the part and the clamping scenario responsive to signals from the user interface;
- and
- a fourth software component configured to automatically predict interferences between the cutter and any of the plurality of clamps.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.