Method and apparatus for entering and displaying structure information in a machining system
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for entering and displaying information associated with a pallet in a machining system, comprising the steps of:
- receiving pallet data associated with a pallet, the pallet comprising a movable tray to which a plurality of workpieces in a machining system can be secured, the machining system being operative for machining the workpieces;
displaying a machine configuration image on a display device, the machine configuration image representing the physical configuration of the machining system;
displaying at least a portion of the pallet data on the display device;
associating at least a portion of the pallet data with an icon location, the icon location corresponding to a position on the display device; and
displaying a pallet icon at the icon location such that the display of the pallet icon with respect to the machine configuration image substantially coincides with the physical location of the pallet with respect to the physical configuration of the machining system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for displaying and entering information associated with structures in a machining system, wherein each structure is associated with at least one setup in the machining system, and can be, for example, a pallet, fixture, or workface. A user interface receives the structure information from the user and displays at least a portion of the information, along with a structure icon, within a window on a display device. Preferably, the location of the tool in the machining system is also displayed within the window along with a machine configuration image which represents the configuration of the machining system. The structure information preferably includes the offset coordinates for the structure. Upon request from the user, setup icons and setup information for the setups associated with the structure can be displayed.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for entering and displaying information associated with a pallet in a machining system, comprising the steps of:
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receiving pallet data associated with a pallet, the pallet comprising a movable tray to which a plurality of workpieces in a machining system can be secured, the machining system being operative for machining the workpieces; displaying a machine configuration image on a display device, the machine configuration image representing the physical configuration of the machining system; displaying at least a portion of the pallet data on the display device; associating at least a portion of the pallet data with an icon location, the icon location corresponding to a position on the display device; and displaying a pallet icon at the icon location such that the display of the pallet icon with respect to the machine configuration image substantially coincides with the physical location of the pallet with respect to the physical configuration of the machining system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for entering and displaying information associated with a pallet in a machining system, the system comprising:
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a database containing pallet data, the pallet data comprising pallet offset coordinates which indicate a location of a pallet in a machining system relative to a predetermined location, the pallet data being associated with a pallet, the pallet comprising a movable tray to which a plurality of workpieces in a machining system can be secured, the machining system being operative for machining the workpieces; and a display including the pallet offset coordinates, a plurality of pallet icons representing a plurality of pallets in the machining system, and a machine configuration image representing the physical configuration of the machining system, the display being adapted to receive inputs for modifying the database. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A computer readable medium having encoded thereon a computer-implemented method for entering and displaying information associated with a fixture in a machining system, the method comprising:
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receiving fixture offset coordinates which indicate a location of a fixture in a machining system relative to a predetermined location, the fixture being adapted to secure a workpiece to a surface in a machining system, the machining system being operative for machining the workpiece; displaying the fixture offset coordinates on a display device; and displaying a plurality of fixture icons on the display device, each fixture icon representing a fixture in the machining system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A user interface for entering and displaying information associated with a workface in a machining system, comprising:
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a plurality of workface icons, each workface icon representing a work face, the workface comprising a surface of a multi-sided structure to which a plurality of workpieces in a machining system can be secured, the machining system being operative for machining the workpieces; workface identification data identifying a surface of the multi-sided structure; and setup information identifying at least one setup on a surface of the multi-sided structure; wherein the interface is adapted to receive inputs for at least one of editing, adding, and deleting the setup information. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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displaying a plurality of pallet icons, each pallet icon representing a pallet in a machining system, each pallet comprising a movable tray to which a plurality of workpieces can be secured; receiving a plurality of pallet data records, each pallet data record being associated with a pallet in the machining system, each pallet data record including pallet offset coordinates which indicate a location of a pallet relative to a predetermined location in the machining system; displaying at least a portion of each pallet data record in proximity to each displayed pallet icon; selecting a pallet icon with a selection device; and after selecting the pallet icon, displaying data associated with various workpieces that are secured to the pallet which is represented by the selected pallet icon. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A computer-implemented method for entering and displaying information associated with a workface in a machining system, comprising the steps of:
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receiving workface data associated with a workface in a machining system, the workface comprising a surface of a multi-sided structure to which a plurality of workpieces can be secured, the machining system being operative for machining the workpieces; displaying at least a portion of the workface data on a display device; associating at least a portion of the workface data with an icon location, the icon location corresponding to a position on the display device; and displaying a workface icon at the icon location, the workface icon representing the workface. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A user interface for entering and displaying information associated with a pallet in a machining system, comprising:
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a plurality of pallet icons, each pallet icon representing a pallet in a machining system, each pallet comprising a movable tray to which a plurality of workpieces can be secured; pallet identification data identifying each pallet; and pallet offset coordinates which indicate a location of a pallet in the machining system relative to a predetermined location; wherein the interface is adapted to receive inputs for editing the pallet offset coordinates. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification