Method of creating NC program for pocket machining

• US 4,949,270 A
• Filed: 06/15/1988
• Issued: 08/14/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fanuc Ltd (Fanuc Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fanuc Ltd (Fanuc Corporation)
• Inventors: Shima, Atsushi, Shimizu, Tetsuya, Fujita, Naoki
• Primary Examiner(s): RUGGIERO, JOSEPH F
• Application Number:
  US07/219,159
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 364/474.2, 364/474.22-474.29, 364/191-193, 364/474.32, 364/474.33, 318/568.1, 340/734
• US Class Current: 700/184
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/40937 concerning programming of machining or material parameters, pocket machining
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35501 Colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36214 Pocket machining, area clearance, contained cutting, axis milling
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50109 Soft approach, engage, retract, escape, withdraw path for tool to workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

The method of the invention includes displaying a profile outline (POL) and a graphic cursor (CSR) on a display screen, adopting points, which are obtained on the display screen by successively positioning the graphic cursor and inputting its coordinates at starting points and end points of linear cutting or circular arc cutting, displaying a tool shape (TL) having a designated diameter at the inputted points, displaying a tool path (TLP) by successively connecting the inputted points by straight lines or circular arcs, and creating an NC program for moving a tool along the tool path to perform pocket machining.

Claims

1. A method of creating a numerical control program for pocket machining of a workpiece in which the interior of a profile outline is machined by a series of cuts along at least one of straight lines and circular arcs, comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying the profile outline and a graphic cursor on a display screen;

(b) displaying a grid on the display screen, overlaying the profile outline, the grid formed of squares having sides with a length corresponding to a tool diameter;

(c) inputting points, by successively positioning the graphic cursor and inputting the coordinates of the graphic cursor at a starting point and end point of one of the straight lines and circular arcs,

(d) displaying a tool shape, having the tool diameter, at the starting and end points,

(e) displaying a tool path by successively connecting the starting and end points using the one of the straight lines and circular arcs; and

(f) creating a numerical control program for moving a tool, having the tool diameter, along the tool path to perform pocket machining.

2. A method of creating a numerical control program for pocket machining according to claim 1, wherein the length of the sides of the grid displayed on the display screen in step (b) represents D.α

/100, where D is the tool diameter and α

corresponds to a percentage of the tool diameter used for cutting.

3. A method of creating a numerical control program for pocket machining according to claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises the steps of:

(c1) selecting one of approach setting, machining path setting and escape setting, in order;

(c2) displaying one of an approach setting display page, a machining path setting display page and an escape setting display page in dependence upon said selecting in step (c1);

(c3) inputting an approach point using the approach setting display page, after approach setting is selected in step (c1);

(c4) inputting a machining path using the machining path setting display page, after machining setting is selected in step (c1); and

(c5) inputting an escape point using the escape setting display page after escape setting is selected in step (c1).

4. A method of creating a numerical control program according to claim 1, wherein said displaying of the tool shape in step (d) is maintained at all of the points input in step (c) until the numerical control program has been created.