Visual system and method for generating a CNC program for machining parts with planar and curvilinear surfaces

• US 6,112,133 A
• Filed: 11/05/1998
• Issued: 08/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Delcam Limited (Autodesk, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: IMCS, INC.
• Inventors: Fishman, Lena
• Primary Examiner(s): BAHTA, KIDEST
• Assistant Examiner(s): Calcano, Ivan
• Application Number:
  US09/187,573
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 364/192, 364/474.22, 364/474.21, 364/474.15, 364/474.2, 700/87, 700/180, 700/179, 700/173, 700/177, 700/178, 700/182, 708/130, 707/104
• US Class Current: 700/182
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/40937 concerning programming of machining or material parameters, pocket machining
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32128 Gui graphical user interface
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35168 Automatic selection of machining conditions, optimum cutting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36283 Select, enter machining, cutting conditions, material file, tool file
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36284 Use of database for machining parameters, material, cutting method, tools
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36289 Cutting, machining conditions by optimisation of time, cost, accuracy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

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.

Claims

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.

2. A system for generating a CNC program as recited in claim 1, further comprising a memory element for maintaining a cycles database for storing a plurality of cycle records, each record holding information for defining machining operations and cutting tools to machine a feature.

3. A system for generating a CNC program as recited in claim 1, further comprising a memory element for maintaining a tools database for storing a plurality of tools records, each record holding information for defining a tool available to the system.

4. A system for generating a CNC program as recited in claim 1, wherein the CNC program is for any one of a Turn-Mill, a Multi-Axis CNC Machining Center and a Multi-Axis Lathe.

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:

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.

6. A method of generating a CNC program as recited in claim 5, wherein the step of inputting the set of machining operations includes creating cycle records in a cycle database, each cycle record holding information for defining machining operations and cutting tools to machine a part feature.

7. A method of generating a CNC program as recited in claim 5, wherein the step of selectively ordering the set of machining operations includes selecting an optimum tool cutting speed and feed rate for each element of the set of machining operations.

8. A method of generating a CNC program as recited in claim 5, wherein the step of converting the ordered set of machining operations into a CNC program includes customizing a configuration subsystem and thereby creating a machine specific configuration file.

9. A method of generating a CNC program as recited in claim 5, wherein the CNC program is for any one of a Turn-Mill, a Multi-Axis CNC Machining Center and a Multi-Axis Lathe.