Systems and methods for displaying images and processing work pieces

• US 7,241,981 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2005
• Issued: 07/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LAP Laser, LLC
• Original Assignee: LAP Laser, LLC
• Inventors: Hofmann, Karsten
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; John R.
• Application Number:
  US11/073,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20060016957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 250/201.1, 353/28, 353/122
• US Class Current: 250/201.1
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 8/16 Ornamentation by creasing A43D8/44; of leather in general C14B1/56
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 95/14 incorporating marking, printing, or embossing apparatus ornamentation of shoe part blanks A43D8/16; printing per se , stamping per se B41
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 15/013 Control or regulation of feed movement B23Q15/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B28B 17/00 Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for shaping the material; Auxiliary measures taken in connection with such shaping moulds B28B7/00; after-treatment B28B11/00; feeding or discharging B28B13/00; arrangements for embedding elements in the material B28B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: B28B 7/0017 for attaching mould walls on mould tables
• CPC Class Codes: B28B 7/0032 Moulding tables or similar mainly horizontal moulding surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B28D 1/043 Gantry type sawing machines
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/182 characterised by the machine tool function, e.g. thread cutting, cam making, tool direction control G05B19/21 - G05B19/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36447 Project light on path to be followed, keep also distance constant

Abstract

A method of displaying an image on a work piece positioned on a movable work surface. A method of processing a work piece, as well as a method of displaying an image on a moveable work surface, is also provided. A system for machining a work piece in accordance with one or more images projected onto the work piece is also provided.

Claims

1. A method of displaying an image on a work piece positioned on a movable work surface, comprising:

(a) providing a digital representation of an image and a laser projection system configured to project said image based on said digital representation;

(b) providing a work piece positioned on a movable work surface;

(c) projecting said image from said laser projection system onto said work piece at a selected image location on the work piece;

(d) moving said work surface, with said work piece supported by said work surface;

(e) sensing the movement of said work surface and transmitting to said laser projection system a feedback signal indicative of said movement; and

(f) moving said projected image in response to said feedback signal such that said image is projected on the work piece at said selected image location.

2. A method of processing a work piece, comprising the steps of:

(a) projecting an image onto a work piece to be processed;

(b) moving at least one of said image and said work piece until said image is positioned at a desired location on said work piece;

(c) locking said image and said work piece such that, as said work piece is moved, said image will remain at said desired location; and

(d) processing said work piece using said image as a guide.

3. A method of displaying an image on a moveable work surface, comprising:

(a) providing a digital representation of an image and a laser projection system configured to project said image based on said digital representation;

(b) providing a movable work surface;

(c) projecting said image from said laser projection system onto said work surface at a selected image location on the work surface;

(d) moving said work surface;

(e) sensing the movement of said work surface and transmitting to said laser projection system a feedback signal indicative of said movement; and

(f) moving said projected image in response to said feedback signal such that said image is projected on the work surface at said selected image location.

4. A system for machining a work piece in accordance with at least one image projected onto the work piece, comprising:

(a) a processing machine having a moveable work surface configured for supporting a work piece thereon, said processing machine configured for machining a work piece supported on said work surface;

(b) an optical projection system for projecting at least one image onto a work piece supported by said work surface, said optical projection system including an optical projector and a control system;

(c) at least one sensor for sensing movement of said work surface, wherein said at least one sensor is configured to provide a signal to said control system indicative of movement of said work surface;

wherein said optical projection system is configured such that an image projected onto a work piece will be projected in the same location on the work piece when said work surface is moved.