Method and control system for generating machine tool control data

A control system for a numerically-controlled (NC) machine tool, the control system comprising:

• a memory device storing a predefined set of rules for performing predetermined machine tool operations, a database of geometric features and deriving computer instructions for controlling the NC machine tool from said set of rules;
• and
• an application program for analysing an inputted computer model representing a component to be created by the machine tool, the application program being configured to:
• (i) automatically analyse and identify geometric features of the component in the computer model using said database,
• (ii) automatically identify one or more of the predetermined machine tool operations for creating the identified features of the component;
• and
• (iii) to generate a composite set of computer instructions on the basis of the rules associated with the identified machine tool operations, the composite set of computer instructions comprising devising a machine tool operation and toolpath strategy for creating the component.

A method of generating control data for a numerically-controlled (NC) machine tool, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a predefined set of rules for performing predetermined machine tool operations, a database of geometric features and deriving computer instructions for controlling the NC machine tool from said set of rules;
• (b) providing a computer model representing a component to be worked by the machine tool, the computer model including information relating to geometric features of the component, wherein the computer model represents a first component for assembly to one or more further components, the computer model including information relating to the geometric position of one or more assembly points of the first component, each assembly point comprising a point at which the first component is assembled to said one or more further components;
• (c) automatically identifying, from the computer model and said database, geometric features of the component, and automatically identifying one or more of the predetermined machine tool operations suitable for working the identified features of the component;
• and using the set of rules associated with the identified machine tool operations to generate control data in the form of a composite set of computer instructions for working the component represented in the computer model, said method steps implemented on a computer system.

A method of controlling a plurality of numerically controlled machine tools for carrying out a plurality of sequential operations on an aircraft wing part, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a pre-defined set of rules for performing pre-determined machine tool operations, and deriving computer instructions for controlling the plurality of NC machine tools from said set of rules;
• (b) providing a computer model representing the aircraft wing part to be worked on by the machine tools, the computer model including information relating to geometric features of the component;
• (c) wherein the step of providing the set of rules comprises:
• providing a database of geometric features, each feature being assigned to one or more machine tool operations capable of working that respective feature;
• and providing a set of selection criteria for performing each machine tool operation, the step of deriving computer instructions comprising:
• matching each feature identified from the computer model with those specified in the database;
• and selecting a suitable machine tool operation for each feature based on analysis of the selection criteria;
• (d) defining a sequence of operations, each operation relating to a specific machine tool procedure representing a sequence of work carried out from the introduction of the respective machine tool up to the point where the tool is changed for a subsequent tool, said method steps implemented on a computer system.

A method of generating control data for a numerically-controlled (NC) machine tool, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a predefined set of rules for performing predetermined machine tool operations;
• (b) providing a computer model representing a component to be worked by the machine tool, the computer model including information relating to geometric features of the component;
• (c) automatically identifying, from the computer model, geometric features of the component and automatically identifying one or more of the predetermined machine tool operations suitable for working the identified features of the component;
• (d) generating, using the set of rules associated with the identified machine tool operations, control data in the form of a composite set of computer instructions for working the component represented in the computer model with the machine tool;
• (e) wherein the step of providing the set of rules comprises providing a database of geometric features, each feature being assigned to one or mere machine tool operations capable of working that respective feature;
• and providing a set of selection criteria for performing each machine tool operation, the step of generating a composite set of computer instructions comprising:
• matching each feature identified from the computer model with those specified in the database;
• and selecting a suitable machine tool operation for each feature based on analysis of the selection criteria;
• and
• (f) wherein, in the step of generating a composite set of computer instructions, the instructions specify a suitable toolpath for each selected machine tool operation, said method steps implemented on a computer system.

A method of generating control data for controlling at least one numerically-controlled (NC) machine tool in order to create a component having a plurality of geometric features, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a computer model of said component;
• identifying and locating the geometric features of said computer model of said component;
• responsive to said identifying and locating step, reviewing a knowledge database to (1) identify machine tool operations needed to create the geometric features of said component and (2) identify rules regarding use of said machine tool operations;
• devising a machine tool strategy, said strategy comprising a series of NC machine tool operations, for creating a component with said geometric features, each machine tool operation identifying at least one NC machine tool and a needed tool path for said at least one NC machine tool to create at least a portion of one of said geometric features;
• and
• generating, from said machine tool strategy, control data for controlling said at least one NC machine tool for production of said component, said method steps implemented on a computer system.

A method of controlling a low voltage electromagnetic riveter (LVER) numerically controlled machine tool for carrying out a plurality of riveting operations on an aircraft wing part, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a predefined set of rules for performing predetermined machine tool operations, and deriving from said set of rules computer instructions for controlling said machine tool;
• b) providing a computer model representing the aircraft wing part to be worked by the machine tool, the computer model including information relating to geometric features of the aircraft wing part;
• c) providing a plurality of files and associating each file with a specific geometric point of the computer model, each file containing information relating to one of the riveting operations to be carried out be the LVER, and said information including positional information for the riveting operation;
• d) identifying from the computer model and said files the required machine tool operations for carrying out said plurality of riveting operations;
• and
• e) using the set of rules associated with the identified machine tool operations to generate control data in the form of a composite set of computer instructions for carrying out riveting operations on the aircraft wing part represented in the computer model, said method steps implemented on a computer system.