Machining based on master program merged from parts programs
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- merging part programs into a master part program by identifying Z-axis move commands within the part programs, modifying an X,Y location for each Z-axis move command, and inserting updated Z-axis move commands into the master part program, and controlling a machine according to the master part program to cause independently movable cutting instruments to simultaneously machine different parts defined by the part programs.
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Abstract
A machining system is described having independently movable cutting instruments configured to simultaneously generate different parts. The cutting instruments are capable of independent motion along a Z-axis and are mounted on a common beam that traverses the parts in an X, Y plane. Merge software modules merge a number of part programs into a single master program. A control unit interprets the master program and controls the machining system to generate the parts. The software modules generate the master program such that all of the Z-axis move commands within the part programs are sequenced along a single X, Y traverse path based on a defined cutting strategy and cutting direction. In this manner, the machining system simultaneously produces a number of different parts.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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merging part programs into a master part program by identifying Z-axis move commands within the part programs, modifying an X,Y location for each Z-axis move command, and inserting updated Z-axis move commands into the master part program, and controlling a machine according to the master part program to cause independently movable cutting instruments to simultaneously machine different parts defined by the part programs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
assigning each part program to a corresponding one of the cutting instruments; and
generating move commands for the master part program, wherein each move command specifies an X, Y location that is common to the cutting instruments.
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3. The method of claim 2, wherein each move command of the master program specifies a Z location for each cutting instrument.
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4. The method of claim 1, wherein merging the part programs comprises generating a set of X,Y move commands to sequentially move the cutting instruments to the modified X, Y locations.
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5. The method of claim 4, wherein generating the set of X,Y move commands includes generating the set of X,Y move commands as a function of a selected cutting direction and a selected cutting strategy.
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6. The method of claim 4, wherein generating the set of X,Y move commands includes computing an X,Y traverse distance for each X,Y move command.
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7. The method of claim 1, wherein merging the part programs comprises defining part groups within the master program.
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8. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon to cause a programmable processor to:
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merge a plurality of part programs into a master part program, including identify Z-axis move commands within the part programs, modify an X,Y location for each Z-axis move commands, and insert updated Z-axis move commands into the master part program; and
control a machining system according to the master part program to cause independently movable cutting instruments to simultaneously machine different parts defined by the part programs. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
assign each part program to a corresponding one of the cutting instruments; and
generate move commands for the master part program, wherein each move command specifies an X, Y location that is common to the cutting instruments.
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10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the instructions cause the programmable processor to generate the move commands of the master program such that each move command specifies a Z location for each part program.
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11. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions cause the programmable processor to:
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calculate a group starting point; and
compute a new X,Y location for each Z-axis move command relative to the group starting point.
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12. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions cause the programmable processor to generate a set of X,Y move commands to sequentially move the cutting instruments to modified X, Y locations.
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13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions cause the programmable processor to generate the set of X,Y move commands as a function of a selected cutting direction and a selected cutting strategy.
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14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the instructions cause the programmable processor to compute an X,Y traverse distance for each X,Y move command.
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15. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the instructions cause the programmable processor to define part groups within the master program.
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16. A system comprising:
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a machine system having a plurality of independently movable cutting instruments;
software configured to receive a plurality of part programs and merge the part programs into a master program, the software being configured to;
identify Z-axis move commands within the part programs, modify an X,Y location for each Z-axis move command, and insert updated Z-axis move commands into the master part program; and
a control unit to interpret a master program to simultaneously control the cutting instruments. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
assign each part program to a corresponding one of the cutting instruments; and
generate move commands for the master part program, wherein each move command specifies an X, Y location that is common to the cutting instruments.
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20. The system of claim 19, wherein the software are configured to generate the move commands of the master program such that each move command specifies a Z location for each part program.
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21. The system of claim 16, wherein the software modules are configured to:
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calculate a group staffing point; and
compute a new X,Y location for each Z-axis move command relative to the group starting point.
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22. A method comprising:
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receiving a plurality of part programs; and
merging the part programs into a master part program to define movements of cutting instruments used to produce parts so that a time period for producing one of the parts overlaps with another time period for producing another of the parts. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A method comprising:
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generating a master part program based on part programs, the master part program comprising commands to move cutting instruments to produce different parts defined by the part programs, the commands comprising a first command that causes the cutting instruments to move in a common direction dining a first time period, the commands comprising a second command that causes at least two of the cutting instruments to move in different directions or in a common direction and different distances during a second time period. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method comprising:
controlling a machine according to a master part program to cause independently movable cutting instruments to simultaneously machine different parts defined by part programs, the master part program having been merged from the part programs, and controlling the machine includes controlling a first set of independently movable cutting instruments to machine the different parts during a first time period, and controlling a second set of independently movable cutting instruments to machine the different parts during a second time period. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon to cause a programmable processor to:
control a machine according to a master part program to cause independently movable cutting instruments to simultaneously machine different parts defined by part programs, the master part program having been merged from the part programs, the instructions causing the programmable processor to control a first set of independently movable cutting instruments to machine the different parts during a first time period, and to control a second set of independently movable cutting instruments to machine the different parts during a second time period. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41)
Specification