COMPUTER CONTROLLED WORK TOOL APPARATUS AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A tool-path generator comprising:
- a memory operable to store surface model data defining a three-dimensional (3D) surface area of a workpiece to be worked;
a rules database comprising a plurality of rules relating to tool-path generation; and
a tool-path determiner operable to determine data representing a pseudo-random tool-path along the 3D surface of the workpiece area to be worked in accordance with rules from said rules database.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A polishing machine is described in which a surface treatment tool is moved across the surface of a workpiece in accordance with a predefined tool-path, in order to carry out the desired treatment process. The tool-path is non-periodic and preferably pseudo-random. Various techniques are described for generating data representing the tool-path to be followed. A technique is also described for determining optimum control parameters used to control the polishing machine for a given tool-path. The surface treatment may be a shaping technique in which material is removed from the surface, or a technique for adding material to the surface of the workpiece, or a technique for modifying the surface or a region under the surface of the workpiece.
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Citations
79 Claims
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1. A tool-path generator comprising:
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a memory operable to store surface model data defining a three-dimensional (3D) surface area of a workpiece to be worked; a rules database comprising a plurality of rules relating to tool-path generation; and a tool-path determiner operable to determine data representing a pseudo-random tool-path along the 3D surface of the workpiece area to be worked in accordance with rules from said rules database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 58, 61, 70, 73)
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- 33. An apparatus for performing a surface treatment on an area, by moving a surface treatment device having a treatment footprint along an irregular path such that the footprint of the treatment tool passes over all points of the area.
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40. A method for performing a surface treatment on an area, by moving a surface treatment device having a treatment footprint over the area;
- the method comprising;
generating an irregular path which visits all points of the area; and moving the surface treatment device along the irregular path such that the footprint of the treatment tool passes over all points of the area. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 77, 78, 79)
- the method comprising;
- 47. A computer-controlled tool for working on or under the surface of a workpiece by moving a surface treatment tool along a predefined tool-path which is non-periodic.
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56. An apparatus for treating the surface of a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:
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a support operable to support the workpiece; a tool operable to perform an action on or under said surface of the workpiece to treat said surface; and a controller operable to control relative movement between the support and the tool, to cause the tool to follow a non-periodic tool-path across said surface of the workpiece to perform said treatment of the surface. - View Dependent Claims (57, 59)
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60. An apparatus for working a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:
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a support operable to support the workpiece to be worked; a tool operable to effect a time-dependent cumulative action on or under a surface of the workpiece within a region that is smaller than said surface and which is located adjacent said tool; and a controller operable to control relative movement between the support and the tool to cause the tool to follow a non-periodic tool-path across said surface of the workpiece to effect said time-dependent cumulative action on or under said surface within regions of the workpiece corresponding to said tool-path. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63)
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64. A machine for polishing or abrading a surface of a workpiece, the machine comprising:
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a support operable to support the workpiece to be polished or abraded; a tool operable to effect a time-dependent polishing or abrading action on the surface of said workpiece within a region that is smaller than said surface and which is located adjacent said tool; and a controller operable to control relative movement between the support and the tool to cause the tool to follow a non-periodic tool-path across said surface of the workpiece to effect said polishing and/or abrading action within regions of the workpiece corresponding to said tool-path. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 67, 68)
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69. A method of generating a tool-path comprising:
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holding surface model data defining a three-dimensional (3D) surface of a workpiece to be worked; providing a rules database comprising a plurality of rules relating to tool-path generation; and determining data representing a pseudo-random tool-path along the 3D surface of the workpiece to be worked in accordance with rules from said rules database.
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71. A method of abrading or polishing a workpiece comprising:
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supporting the workpiece on a support; providing a tool for polishing or abrading the surface of the workpiece; and controlling relative movement between the support and the tool to cause the tool to follow a non-periodic tool-path across the surface of the workpiece to effect said polishing or abrading.
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72. A method of finishing the surface of a workpiece, the method comprising:
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supporting the workpiece on a support; providing a tool to perform an action on or under the surface of the workpiece to finish said surface, and controlling the relative movement between the support and the tool, to cause the tool to follow a non-periodic tool-path across said surface of the workpiece to perform said finishing of the surface.
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74. A tool-path generator comprising:
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a memory operable to store surface model data defining a three-dimensional (3D) surface of a workpiece to be worked; a rules database comprising a plurality of rules relating to tool-path generation; and a tool-path determiner operable to determine data representing a non-periodic tool-path which passes over substantially the whole of said surface of the workpiece, in accordance with rules from said rules database. - View Dependent Claims (75, 76)
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Specification