Contact patch simulation
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsMax A. Maloney, Howard E. Bujtor, Brian K. Miehm
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and an apparatus for smart automation of robotic surface finishing of a three-dimensional surface of a workpiece is described. A finite element analysis simulation is conducted providing data for generation of a three-dimensional path along the surface of the workpiece. The finite element can include properties of the workpiece, finishing tool, and the robot configured to maneuver the finishing tool. The surface of the workpiece is finished using one or more surface finishing tools along the three-dimensional path. The surface of the workpiece includes at least a flat region and a curved region.
Claims20
A method for machining and polishing a workpiece to form a target workpiece, the method comprising, at a controller unit in communication with a single material removal tool:
- generating (i) a simulated material removal path for modifying dimensions of the workpiece according to desired dimensions of the target workpiece, and (ii) a simulated surface finishing path for polishing the workpiece according to a desired surface finish of the target workpiece;
- generating an intermediate three-dimensional path along the workpiece that is based on a difference between at least one characteristic of the workpiece and at least one corresponding desired characteristic of the target workpiece, wherein the intermediate three-dimensional path includes a first weighted amount of the simulated material removal path and a second weighted amount of the simulated surface finishing path;
- receiving, from the controller unit, a signal associated with the intermediate three-dimensional path at the single material removal tool;
- and
- causing, in response to receiving the signal, the single material removal tool to remove an amount of material from the workpiece in accordance with the intermediate three-dimensional path.
A material processing system for machining and polishing a workpiece to form a target workpiece, the material processing system comprising:
- a controller unit capable of:
- generating (i) a simulated material removal path for modifying dimensions of the workpiece according to desired dimensions of the target workpiece, and (ii) a simulated surface finishing path for polishing the workpiece according to a desired surface finish of the target workpiece, and
- generating an intermediate three-dimensional path along the workpiece that is based a difference between at least one characteristic of the workpiece and at least one corresponding desired characteristic of the target workpiece, wherein the intermediate three-dimensional path includes a first weighted amount of the simulated material removal path and a second weighted amount of the simulated surface finishing path;
- and
- a material removal tool in communication with the controller unit and capable of removing an amount of material from the workpiece in accordance with the intermediate three-dimensional path.
A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a material processing system, cause the material processing system to:
- generate (i) a simulated material removal path for modifying dimensions of a workpiece according to desired dimensions of a target workpiece, and (ii) a simulated surface finishing path for polishing the workpiece according to a desired surface finish of the target workpiece;
- generate a control signal associated with an intermediate three-dimensional path;
- provide the control signal to a single material removal tool that causes the single material removal tool to remove an amount of material from the workpiece according to the intermediate three-dimensional path, wherein the amount of material removed corresponds to a first weighted amount of the simulated material removal path and a second weighted amount of the simulated surface finishing path;
- obtain a characteristic of the workpiece subsequent to removing the amount of material;
- compare the characteristic to a target characteristic of a target workpiece;
- and
- when the characteristic does not correspond to the target characteristic:
- adjust the first and second weighted amounts to remove an updated amount of material from the workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.