ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR STEERING A MACHINE TOOL
First Claim
1. An assistance system for steering a machine tool comprising a manually controlled cutting tool, the assistance system comprising:
- a first data port to receive data defining a model of a desired cut to be made on a workpiece by the cutting tool,a second data port to receive data related to the current position of the cutting tool in, at least, two dimensions,a processor to generate from the received data a display showing;
the desired cut to be made, a cutting tool icon at the current position of the cutting tool relative to the desired cut, andan indication of the current error between either the current position, or direction of travel, of the cutting tool and the desired cut.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to systems for steering machine tools and in particular to systems that display information to an operator of the machine tool. Such a system comprises a manually controlled cutting tool. The system receives data that defines a model of a desired cut to be made on a workpiece by the cutting tool. The system receives further data related to the current position of the cutting tool in, at least, two dimensions. A processor generates from the received data a display. The display shows the desired cut to be made and a cutting tool icon at the current position of the cutting tool relative to the desired cut. The display also shows an indication of the current error between either the current position, or direction of travel, of the cutting tool and the desired cut. An operator does not need to look at the workpiece, a drawing and the Digital Read Out simultaneously as with existing systems.
37 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An assistance system for steering a machine tool comprising a manually controlled cutting tool, the assistance system comprising:
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a first data port to receive data defining a model of a desired cut to be made on a workpiece by the cutting tool, a second data port to receive data related to the current position of the cutting tool in, at least, two dimensions, a processor to generate from the received data a display showing; the desired cut to be made, a cutting tool icon at the current position of the cutting tool relative to the desired cut, and an indication of the current error between either the current position, or direction of travel, of the cutting tool and the desired cut. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for steering a machine tool comprising a manually controlled cutting tool, the method comprising:
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receiving data defining a model of a desired cut to be made on a workpiece by the cutting tool, receiving data related to the current position of the cutting tool in, at least, two dimensions, generating a display to show; the desired cut to be made, the current position of the cutting tool relative to the desired cut, and an indication of the current error between either the measured position, or direction of travel, of the cutting tool and the desired cut.
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23. A machine tool comprising a manually controlled cutting tool and an assistance system for steering the machine tool, the assistance system comprising:
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a first data port to receive data defining a model of a desired cut to be made on a workpiece by the cutting tool, a second data port to receive data related to the current position of the cutting tool in, at least, two dimensions, a processor to generate from the received data a display showing; the desired cut to be made, a cutting tool icon at the current position of the cutting tool relative to the desired cut, and an indication of the current error between either the current position, or direction of travel, of the cutting tool and the desired cut.
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24. Software, that when installed on a computer causes the computer to perform the method.
Specification