Computer generated graphic depiction of manual machining operations
First Claim
1. An apparatus for guiding the operation of a manual machine tool for machining a workpiece with a cutting tool by presenting machining requirements, on a graphical display, in pictorial form and combining said presentation with a superimposed graphic representation of the current and past positions of said cutting tool, such that said display shows pictorially the tool motion relative to said workpiece relative to said requirements, comprising:
- (a) said graphic display device comprised of an array of controllable picture elements(b) a memory means to retain program instructions and parameters(c) a computer comprised of a processing unit, memory and interconnecting means for controlling said graphic display(d) a means for measuring the position of said cutting tool relative to said workpiece to be shaped in a plurality of axes,(e) a plurality of program instructions for the purpose of combining said machining requirements and said cutting tool position indications into said graphic representations,(f) a means of data entry for said machining requirements whereby a manual machine operator can rapidly, visually machine material to approximate said machining requirements prior to final machining using said graphic presentation, and whereby said operator can use said graphic presentation to machine material to satisfy final machining requirements,(g) said display means includes a target comprised of a means for identifying the target position and a means for indicating the current tool position relative to the target whereby the tool position indication relative to the target represents the error while following a curved or angle tool path machining requirement and, whereby a machine tool operator can use said target presentation to accurately follow a curved or angle tool path machining requirement.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer generated graphical position readout device for manually operated milling machines, drill presses, boring machines, lathes, and the like. The readout apparatus includes a means to convert machining requirements into a graphical form, called a pattern, and to display the current and past positions of a milling machine'"'"'s cutting tool with respect to this pattern. The readout device includes a means to display graphical information, a computer with a keyboard for operator provided data input and control of the operational program, and a position monitoring system to provide relative position information of the machine'"'"'s cutting tool to a workpiece in multiple axes. The readout device further provides cross-hair type target displays to augment the graphical display for positioning the cutting tool center to a point, or to follow a curved or diagonal line. The machine operator is thus provided with a display of the machining requirements and the current state of machining including a representation of the material removed from the workpiece.
55 Citations
4 Claims
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1. An apparatus for guiding the operation of a manual machine tool for machining a workpiece with a cutting tool by presenting machining requirements, on a graphical display, in pictorial form and combining said presentation with a superimposed graphic representation of the current and past positions of said cutting tool, such that said display shows pictorially the tool motion relative to said workpiece relative to said requirements, comprising:
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(a) said graphic display device comprised of an array of controllable picture elements (b) a memory means to retain program instructions and parameters (c) a computer comprised of a processing unit, memory and interconnecting means for controlling said graphic display (d) a means for measuring the position of said cutting tool relative to said workpiece to be shaped in a plurality of axes, (e) a plurality of program instructions for the purpose of combining said machining requirements and said cutting tool position indications into said graphic representations, (f) a means of data entry for said machining requirements whereby a manual machine operator can rapidly, visually machine material to approximate said machining requirements prior to final machining using said graphic presentation, and whereby said operator can use said graphic presentation to machine material to satisfy final machining requirements, (g) said display means includes a target comprised of a means for identifying the target position and a means for indicating the current tool position relative to the target whereby the tool position indication relative to the target represents the error while following a curved or angle tool path machining requirement and, whereby a machine tool operator can use said target presentation to accurately follow a curved or angle tool path machining requirement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification