Method and apparatus for producing signs with prismatic letters and graphic images
First Claim
1. A method of producing prismatic graphic images in sheet material having a predetermined thickness using an automated cutting machine being responsive to tool path signals and having a rotary cutting tool for removing material from the sheet material, the cutting tool having an axis of rotation, a radius extending from the axis to an outer edge of the tool, a cutting surface and a cutting angle defined by the cutting surface and a plane normal to the axis, the graphic images having a preselected, two-dimensional initial graphic representation, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating signals indicative of an initial graphic representation of the graphic images to be produced in the sheet material in accordance with a graphic images generating program, the initial graphic representation being defined by a predetermined data set;
determining a maximum stroke width of the graphic images in accordance with the initial graphic representation and generating signals indicative of the maximum stroke width;
determining tool paths in accordance with the signals indicative of the initial graphic representation, the signals indicative of the maximum stroke width, and the signals indicative of the tool radius and cutting angle, the tool paths being oriented generally normal to the axis of rotation, and generating signals indicative of the tool paths; and
presenting the signals indicative of the tool paths to the automated cutting machine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is disclosed for producing signs having raised, prismatic graphic images such as letters, numbers and other graphic images. Initial values for the graphic images are provided, and includes information defining an initial graphic representation for the graphic images, and may also include a return, which is the measure of distance by which the graphic images are raised relative to a background of a sign. A cutting tool is provided and has a radius and a cutting angle. One tool path is determined using the initial graphic representation. Tool passes and depths for the other passes are determined using the initial graphic representation, the cutting angle, and a distance which is not greater than the tool radius. A controller generates signals indicative of the tool paths and respective depths, and presents the signals to operate an automatic cutting machine and cutting tool to selectively remove material from a sheet material to produce the graphic images.
47 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of producing prismatic graphic images in sheet material having a predetermined thickness using an automated cutting machine being responsive to tool path signals and having a rotary cutting tool for removing material from the sheet material, the cutting tool having an axis of rotation, a radius extending from the axis to an outer edge of the tool, a cutting surface and a cutting angle defined by the cutting surface and a plane normal to the axis, the graphic images having a preselected, two-dimensional initial graphic representation, the method comprising the steps of:
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generating signals indicative of an initial graphic representation of the graphic images to be produced in the sheet material in accordance with a graphic images generating program, the initial graphic representation being defined by a predetermined data set; determining a maximum stroke width of the graphic images in accordance with the initial graphic representation and generating signals indicative of the maximum stroke width; determining tool paths in accordance with the signals indicative of the initial graphic representation, the signals indicative of the maximum stroke width, and the signals indicative of the tool radius and cutting angle, the tool paths being oriented generally normal to the axis of rotation, and generating signals indicative of the tool paths; and presenting the signals indicative of the tool paths to the automated cutting machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 18)
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7. An article comprising a sign with prismatic graphic images in sheet material of a predetermined thickness using a cutting machine which is responsive to tool path signals and has a rotary cutting tool for removing material from the sheet material, the cutting tool having an axis of rotation, a radius as measured normal to the axis to an edge of the tool, a cutting surface and a cutting angle defined by the cutting surface and a plane normal to the axis, the graphic images having a preselected, two-dimensional initial graphic representation, the article produced in accordance with a method comprising the steps of:
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generating signals indicative of an initial graphic representation of the graphic images to be produced in the sheet material in accordance with a graphic images generating program, the initial graphic representation being defined by a predetermined data set; determining a maximum stroke width of the graphic images in accordance with the initial graphic representation and generating signals indicative of the maximum stroke width; determining tool paths in accordance with the signals indicative of the initial graphic representation, the signals indicative of the maximum stroke width, and the signals indicative of the tool radius and cutting angle, the tool paths being oriented generally normal to the axis of rotation, and generating signals indicative of the tool paths; and presenting the signals indicative of the tool paths to the automated cutting machine. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20)
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13. An apparatus for controlling an automated cutting machine for producing prismatic graphic images in sheet material having a predetermined thickness, the automated cutting machine being responsive to tool path signals and having a rotary cutting tool for removing material from the sheet material, the cutting tool having an axis of rotation, a radius extending from the axis to an outer edge of the tool, a cutting surface and a cutting angle defined by the cutting surface and a plane normal to the axis, the graphic images having a preselected, two-dimensional initial graphic representation, the apparatus comprising:
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means for generating signals indicative of an initial graphic representation of the graphic images to be produced in the sheet material in accordance with a graphic images generating program, the initial graphic representation being defined by a predetermined data set; means for determining a maximum stroke width of the graphic images in accordance with the initial graphic representation and for generating signals indicative of the maximum stroke width; means for determining tool paths in accordance with the signals indicative of the initial graphic representation, the signal indicative of the maximum stroke width, and the signals indicative of the tool radius and cutting angle, the tool paths being oriented substantially normal to the axis of rotation, and for generating signals indicative of the tool paths; and means for presenting the signals indicative of the tool paths to the automated cutting machine. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification