Method and designing and manufacturing rubber process tooling using an interface to a CAD/CAM software program

• US 6,775,585 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2002
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
• Original Assignee: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
• Inventors: Burg, Gary Robert, Bedont, William James Jr., Dubru, Sylvie Catherine Evelyne Claire, Looman, Ernest Wilford Jr., Helle, Donald Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): KASENGE, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US10/263,417
• Publication Number:
  US 20040068342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 700/180, 700/182, 700/181, 700/159, 700/95, 700/97, 700/98
• US Class Current: 700/182
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2111/02 CAD in a network environment, e.g. collaborative CAD or distributed simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/00 Computer-aided design [CAD]

Abstract

An interface tool is provided for a user to interface with a CAD/CAM software package, such as Pro/ENGINEER (tm) which is resident on the client computer or on a second server computer. The interface tool is resident on the client computer. Parameters are input by the user onto web pages, and then are transferred to Pro/ENGINEER by the interface tool. Pro/ENGINEER outputs drawings, 3-D models and machining codes by using the information that was transferred from the interface tool. The user can create or modify, and verify from various aspects, models of machineable process tooling such as “preformers”. Pro/ENGINEER can then create appropriate toolpaths and output the machining code for CNC (computerized numeric control) machines.

Claims

1. Method for designing and manufacturing process tooling used for manufacturing rubber (elastomer) components comprising:

providing a full-featured CAD/CAM software program on a first computer;

providing an interface tool on a second computer which is separate from the first computer;

providing a stripped-down version of the CAD/CAM software program on the second computer;

at the interface tool, calling up a generic model of a process tool which has default features and characteristics;

at the interface tool, setting values for features of the process tool being designed,

from the interface tool, exporting output parameters to the first computer as inputs to the full-featured CAD/CAM software, modeling the process tool on the full-featured CAD/CAM software comprising a modeled process tool and outputting parameters of the model to the first computer; and

launching the stripped-down version of the CAD/CAM software program at the second computer for viewing the modeled process tool.

2. Method, according to claim 1, wherein:

the second computer is remote from the first computer.

3. Method, according to claim 1, wherein:

the second computer is connected via the Internet to the first computer.

4. Method, according to claim 1, further comprising:

at the interface tool, setting values/parameters for options for the part being designed.

5. Method, according to claim 4, further comprising:

at the interface tool, viewing machining configurations.

6. Method, according to claim 5, further comprising:

at the interface tool, inspecting the modeled part.

7. Method, according to claim 6, further comprising:

at the interface tool, making corrections by returning to previous steps.

8. Method, according to claim 6, further comprising:

causing the full-featured CAD/CAM software program to generate CNC code for machining the process tool.

9. Method, according to claim 1, wherein:

the rubber component is a tire rubber component.

10. Method, according to claim 1, wherein:

the process tool is a preformer.

11. Method, according to claim 10, wherein the preformer comprises one of a splice bar, roller die, calender roll, hotformer roll, die, or insert.

12. Method, according to claim 1, further comprising:

setting values/parameters for options for the process tool being designed.

13. Method, according to claim 10, further comprising:

if necessary, making corrections by returning to previous steps.

14. Method, according to claim 12, further comprising:

maintaining a library of generic process tools.

15. Method for designing and manufacturing process tooling used for manufacturing rubber (elastomer) components comprising:

providing a full-featured CAD/CAM software program on a first computer;

providing a stripped-down version of the CAD/CAM software program on a second computer;

providing an interface tool on the second computer;

providing a library of generic process tools at the second computer,

at the interface tool, a user commences designing by calling up one of the generic models of process tools which has default features and characteristics;

then, using the interface tool, the user sets values for the features and characteristics of the process tool being designed,

then, the user causes the interface tool to export output parameters for the design to the first computer as inputs to the full-feature CAD/CAM software running on the first computer,

then, on the first computer, the full-featured CAD/CAM software thereby causing the process tool to be modeled and generating parameters for the modeled process tool,

then, sending the parameters of the modeled process tool to the second computer, receiving the parameters of the modeled process tool at the second computer and, using the stripped-down version of the CAD/CAM software program at the second computer, the user viewing the modeled process tool, and

then, if necessary, the user making corrections to the design by returning to previous steps of setting new values for features and characteristics, exporting output parameters, causing the process tool to modeled, sending the parameters of the modeled process tool, receiving the parameters of the modeled process tool, viewing the modeled process tool.

16. Method, according to claim 15, further comprising:

when the user is satisfied with the design, causing the full-featured CAD/CAM software program to generate CNC code for machining the process tool.

17. Method, according to claim 15, wherein:

the rubber component is a tire rubber component.

18. Method, according to claim 15, wherein:

the process tool is a preformer.

19. Method, according to claim 18, wherein the preformer comprises one of a splice bar, roller die, calender roll, hotformer roll, die, or insert.