Method and apparatus for generation of datamatrix barcodes utilizing numerical control drilling patterns
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsAlbert M. Bajocich, David J. Baer, Kent A. Hall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The illustrative embodiments provide a method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for generating datamatrix barcodes on parts. A digital datamatrix code associated with a machined part on a numerically controlled machine tool is converted into an x-y drilling pattern contained in a numerically controlled program. A drill cycle associated with a numerically controlled program defines a pattern of dots to be drilled in the machined part to form a dot pattern. A dot pattern is drilled as a series of partially drilled holes on a surface of the machined part to form a datamatrix barcode mark.
Claims22
A method for generating datamatrix barcodes on machined parts, the method comprising:
- converting a digital datamatrix code associated with a machined part on a numerically controlled machine tool into an x-y drilling pattern within a numerically controlled program;
- determining, by a drill cycle associated with the numerically controlled program, a pattern of dots to be drilled in the machined part to form a dot pattern;
- and
- drilling the dot pattern as a series of partially drilled holes on a surface of the machined part to form a datamatrix barcode mark.
A computer program product for generating datamatrix barcodes on machined parts, the computer program product comprising:
- a computer readable medium;
- program code stored on the computer readable medium for converting a digital datamatrix code associated with a machined part on a numerically controlled machine tool into an x-y drilling pattern within a numerically controlled program;
- program code stored on the computer readable medium for determining, by a drill cycle associated with the numerically controlled program, a pattern of dots to be drilled in the machined part to form a dot pattern;
- and
- program code stored on the computer readable medium for drilling the dot pattern as a series of partially drilled holes on a surface of the machined part to form a datamatrix barcode mark.
An apparatus for generating datamatrix barcodes on machined parts, the apparatus comprising:
- a numerically controlled machine tool, wherein the numerically controlled machine tool machines a part to final dimensions specified for the part to fabricate a machined part;
- a numerically controlled program, wherein the numerically controlled program controls the numerically controlled machine to machine the part to fabricate the machined part, and wherein the numerically controlled program further comprises:
- a drill cycle, wherein the drill cycle defines a pattern of dots to be drilled in the machined part to form a dot pattern;
- and
- a drill bit tool, wherein the drill bit tool drills the dot pattern as a series of partially drilled holes on a surface of the machined part to form a datamatrix barcode mark.
A method for generating datamatrix barcodes on machined parts utilizing a numerically controlled machine tool, the method comprising:
- converting a digital datamatrix code associated with a machined part on the numerically controlled machine tool into an x-y drilling pattern within a numerically controlled program, wherein a part is machined on the numerically controlled machine tool to final dimensions specified for the part to fabricate the machined part;
- generating a set of drilling parameters, wherein the drilling parameters define parameters for drilling a plurality of dots within a specified area on the machined part;
- determining, by a drill cycle associated with the numerically controlled program, a pattern of the plurality of dots to be drilled in the machined part to form a dot pattern, wherein the drill cycle defines the dot pattern based on the drilling parameters;
- and
- drilling the dot pattern as a series of partially drilled holes within the specified area on the machined part to form a datamatrix barcode mark, wherein the datamatrix barcode mark is an identifying mark for the machined part under a dot code standard, wherein the datamatrix barcode mark is read by a barcode reader to generate part information for the machined part.
An apparatus for drilling datamatrix barcodes on machined parts utilizing numerically controlled machine tools, the apparatus comprising:
- a datamatrix code conversion component, wherein the datamatrix code conversion converts a digital datamatrix code associated with a machined part into an x-y drilling pattern, wherein the datamatrix code conversion module generates a set of drilling parameters,
- the drilling parameters, wherein the drilling parameters define parameters for drilling a plurality of dots within a specified area on the machined part;
- a numerically controlled machine tool, wherein the numerically controlled machine tool machines a part to final dimensions specified for the part to fabricate the machined part;
- a numerically controlled program, wherein the numerically controlled program controls the numerically controlled machine to machine the part to fabricate the machined part, and wherein the numerically controlled program further comprises:
- a drill cycle, wherein the drill cycle defines a pattern of dots to be drilled in the machined part to form a dot pattern based on the drilling parameters;
- and
- a drill bit tool, wherein the drill bit tool drills the dot pattern as a series of partially drilled holes on a surface of the machined part to form a datamatrix barcode mark.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.