Visual system and method for generating a CNC program for machining parts with planar and curvilinear surfaces
DCFirst Claim
1. A visual system for generating a CNC program to machine a part having planar and curvilinear surfaces and surfaces of revolution, comprising:
- a graphical user interface for inputting part information for defining a plurality of faces, each face corresponding to a surface of the part defined by the tool and work piece orientation, boundary, and type of machining function and being displayed in a separate computer window;
a graphical user interface for inputting part information for defining a set of features associated with each of the plurality of faces;
a graphical user interface for inputting part information for defining a set of machining operations and cutting tools associated with each element of th set of features;
a datastore memory element, in communication with the graphical user interface, that maintains a datastore for storing the part information;
a process optimization module, in communication with the datastore memory element, for receiving the part information, the process optimization module including a memory element for maintaining a materials machineability database for selecting operational parameters for the set of machining operations and cutting tools and thereafter selectively ordering the set of machining operations; and
code generation module, in communication with the process optimization module, that receives the ordered set of machining operations, the code generation module including a configuration graphical user interface subsystem for creating a configuration file and thereafter using the configuration file to convert the ordered set of machine operations into a CNC program for machining the part.
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Abstract
The present invention comprises a system and method for generating a CNC program for machining a part having planar and curvilinear surfaces and surfaces of revolution comprising an interface for inputting part information including for at least one face corresponding to at least one surface of the part and having face information comprising a boundary, an orientation, and a type of machining function corresponding to the face. A set of features corresponding to each face is also input via the interface. Thereafter a set of machining operations to machine the set of features is generated. The machining operations are optimized to achieve a minimum process time to machine the part.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A visual system for generating a CNC program to machine a part having planar and curvilinear surfaces and surfaces of revolution, comprising:
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a graphical user interface for inputting part information for defining a plurality of faces, each face corresponding to a surface of the part defined by the tool and work piece orientation, boundary, and type of machining function and being displayed in a separate computer window; a graphical user interface for inputting part information for defining a set of features associated with each of the plurality of faces; a graphical user interface for inputting part information for defining a set of machining operations and cutting tools associated with each element of th set of features; a datastore memory element, in communication with the graphical user interface, that maintains a datastore for storing the part information; a process optimization module, in communication with the datastore memory element, for receiving the part information, the process optimization module including a memory element for maintaining a materials machineability database for selecting operational parameters for the set of machining operations and cutting tools and thereafter selectively ordering the set of machining operations; and code generation module, in communication with the process optimization module, that receives the ordered set of machining operations, the code generation module including a configuration graphical user interface subsystem for creating a configuration file and thereafter using the configuration file to convert the ordered set of machine operations into a CNC program for machining the part. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for generating a CNC program to machine a part having planar and curvilinear surfaces and surfaces of revolution, comprising the steps of:
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inputting part information defining a plurality of faces using a graphical user interface which includes computer windows, each face defined by the tool and work piece orientation, boundary, and type of machining corresponding to a surface of the part and being input by means of a separate window; inputting using a graphical user interface information defining a set of operator selected part features associated with each of the plurality of faces; inputting using a graphical user interface information defining a set of operator defined machining operations and cutting tools associated with each element of the set of part features; storing the part faces and part features information in a datastore memory element; selectively ordering the set of machining operations using a materials machineability database; and converting the ordered set of machining operations into a CNC program for machining the part. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification