Method and device for composite machining based on tool-path pattern types with tool axis orientation rules
AssigneeD.P. Technology Corp.
InventorsFrancesco Bandini, Roberto Parigi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Computer-enabled methods and devices allow for the ready set-up for machine instruction generation by addressing various combinations of machining patterns and tool axis orientations via the selection or designation of a machining pattern and the selection or designation of a tool axis orientation via exemplary separate menus of a user interface.
Claims15
A computer-enabled method of determining a sequence of five-axis operations to be performed by a cutting tool of a machining station on a workpiece, the method comprising:
- receiving a machining pattern;
- defining an orientation of an axis of the cutting tool with respect to the workpiece;
- receiving the orientation of at least one of the axes of the cutting tool;
- defining one or more rules for at least one of:
- (a) approaching the workpiece;
- (b) departing the workpiece;
- and (c) linking two or more sub-areas of the determined area of the workpiece to be machined;
- determining a sequence of movements of the cutting tool having five axes of operation, the determination based on the received machining pattern and the received orientation of at least one of the axes of the cutting tool, wherein the determined sequence of movements of the cutting tool is a member of a set of movements of the cutting tool;
- and
- converting into one or more machine instructions at least one of:
- (a) a determined area of the workpiece to be machined;
- (b) the machining pattern;
- (c) the received orientation of at least one of the axes of the cutting tool;
- and (d) at least one of the defined rules for approaching the workpiece, departing the workpiece, and linking two or more sub-areas of the area of the workpiece to be machined.
A device for generating instructions for a machining tool, the device comprising:
- input means for receiving a machining pattern;
- input means for receiving a tool axis orientation;
- a processing module having addressable memory, the processing module adapted to determine a sequence of movements of the cutting tool having five axes of operation, the determination based on a received machining pattern and the received axis of orientation wherein the determined sequence of movements of the cutting tool is a member of a set of sequences of movements of the cutting tool.
A method of using a device for composite machining based on tool-path pattern types with cutting tool axis orientation rules for five axes of cutting tool operation comprising:
- selecting, via a user interface of the device, from a set of available choices of tool-path pattern types, wherein a displayed set of available choices of tool-path pattern types is independent of a user selection from a displayed set of available choices of tool axis orientation rules;
- selecting, via the user interface of the device, from a set of available choices of orientation rules of the axis of the cutting tool, wherein the displayed set of available choices of orientation rules of the axis of the cutting tool is independent of a user selection from the displayed set of available choices of tool-path pattern types;
- and
- receiving a sequence of movements of the cutting tool, wherein the received sequence of movements of the cutting tool, within the five axes of cutting tool operation, is a member of a set of sequences of movements of the cutting tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.