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US 9,618,926 B1Granted
Intelligent engine for managing operations for a computer numerical control (CNC) machine in a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system
AssigneeD. P. Technology, Corp.
InventorsDominique Louette, Olivier Thenoz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods, systems, and devices for determining a machining process in a CAM system where the determining is based on CNC machine capabilities, user defined process constraints, and CNC machine configurations.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- determining a part operation in a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system, wherein the part operation comprises a toolpath associated with a part of a workpiece and wherein the part operation is configured for a computer numerical control (CNC) machine;
- inserting the part operation in a part operation list, wherein the part operation list specifies a sequence of operations occurring on a part;
- determining a machine operation for a channel for each part occurrence of a set of part occurrences mounted on the machine, wherein the determining of the machine operation is based on a set of motion capabilities of the CNC machine, a position of the part occurrence, and the associated part operation;
- performing a capability check for each determined machine operation, wherein the capability check comprises determining whether a machine tool is capable of performing all motions associated with the toolpath of the determined part operation;
- performing a search for simultaneous machine operations in other channels, wherein if the machine operations across different channels are not compatible, a notification is sent to other components of the CAM system, wherein the notification comprises when a recalculation of transition movement and intermediate stock generation is to occur;
- and
- determining a sequence of machine operations in the CNC machine based on the part operation list, the notification, and whether the machine tool is capable of performing the machine operation.
4 more elements
A device comprising:
- a processor and addressable memory, the processor configured to:
- determine a part operation in a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system, wherein the part operation comprises a toolpath associated with a part of a workpiece and wherein the part operation is configured for a computer numerical control (CNC) machine;
- insert the part operation in a part operation list, wherein the part operation list specifies a sequence of operations occurring on a part;
- determine a machine operation for a channel for each part occurrence of a set of part occurrences mounted on the machine, wherein the determining of the machine operation is based on a set of motion capabilities of the CNC machine, a position of the part occurrence, and the associated part operation;
- perform a capability check for each determined machine operation, wherein the capability check comprises determining whether a machine tool is capable of performing all motions associated with the toolpath of the determined part operation;
- perform a search for simultaneous machine operations in other channels, wherein if the machine operations across different channels are not compatible, a notification is sent to other components of the CAM system, wherein the notification comprises when a recalculation of transition movement and intermediate stock generation is to occur;
- and
- determine a sequence of machine operations in the CNC machine based on the part operation list, the notification, and whether the machine tool is capable of performing the machine operation.
5 more elements
A computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system comprising a program manager computing device, the program manager comprising:
- a part operations module, wherein the part operations module comprises a processor and an addressable memory, the processor configured to:
- determine a part operation in the CAM system, wherein the part operation comprises a toolpath associated with a part of a workpiece and wherein the part operation is configured for a computer numerical control (CNC) machine;
- and
- insert the part operation in a part operation list, wherein the part operation list specifies a sequence of operations occurring on a part;
- and
- a machine program module, wherein the machine program module comprises a processor and an addressable memory, the processor configured to:
- determine a machine operation for a channel for each part occurrence of a set of part occurrences mounted on the machine, wherein the determining of the machine operation is based on a set of motion capabilities of the CNC machine, a position of the part occurrence, and the associated part operation;
- perform a capability check for each determined machine operation, wherein the capability check comprises determining whether a machine tool is capable of performing all motions associated with the toolpath of the determined part operation;
- perform a search for simultaneous machine operations in other channels, wherein if the machine operations across different channels are not compatible, a notification is sent to other components of the CAM system, wherein the notification comprises when a recalculation of transition movement and intermediate stock generation is to occur;
- and
- determine a sequence of machine operations in the CNC machine based on the part operation list, the notification, and whether the machine tool is capable of performing the machine operation.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.