Measurement transmission for material processing

• US 7,428,443 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2004
• Issued: 09/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Inventors: Dick, Spencer B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta; Kidest
• Application Number:
  US10/897,997
• Publication Number:
  US 20050065629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,524 Days
• Field of Search: 700/90, 700/95, 700/117, 700/173
• US Class Current: 700/117
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/001 Measuring or control devices, e.g. for automatic control of work feed pressure on band saw blade measuring in general G01; controlling in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 5/00 Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 5/08 Means for actuating the cutting member to effect the cut

Abstract

A system for processing material includes a measuring device, a processing apparatus, and a mechanism for transmitting measurement information from the measuring device to the processing apparatus.

Claims

1. A processing system for customizing and incorporating workpieces into a manufactured item comprising

a measuring device configured to determine a physical parameter of a space or structure being manufactured at a first work site which is remotely located off-line from a second work site,

a signal transmitting device connected to the measuring device for transmitting a signal indicative of a physical parameter measured by the measuring device,

a processing apparatus, located at the second work site, configured to alter material stock for incorporation in the structure being manufactured at the first work site, the processing apparatus including an automatic positioner cooperatively assembled upstream from a saw, and

a controller connected to the processing apparatus at the second work site, the controller having a receiving device configured to receive signals from the transmitting device, the controller being programmed to move the positioner to an appropriate position relative to the saw, to initiate cutting of a workpiece according to the physical parameter measured by the measuring device to produce pieces dimensioned for incorporation in the structure being manufactured at the first work site.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to optimize cutting of raw stock based on a cut list entered in the controller.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to create or alter a cut list based on measurements made by the measuring device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the measuring device includes calipers.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiving device is configured to receive radio signals from the transmitting device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the physical parameter is a length.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to automatically generate labels indicating information about workpieces processed by the processing apparatus.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to receive multiple measurements of a trapezoid, and to rotate the saw or diagonal cutting in accordance with the measurements.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the controller receives six measurements, each length of the trapezoid'"'"'s four sides, and two diagonal measurements.

10. A processing system for customizing and incorporating work pieces into a manufactured item comprising

a caliper tool configured to measure a length dimension of a partially constructed building structure at a work site, the caliper tool having a signal transmitting device for transmitting a signal indicative of the length dimension, and a button for manually initiating transmission of the signal,

a processing apparatus including a saw and an automatic positioner upstream from the saw for positioning a work piece for cutting by the saw, wherein the work site is located remotely off-line from the processing apparatus, and

a controller connected to the processing apparatus, the controller having a receiving device configured to receive signals from the transmitting device of the caliper tool, the controller being programmed to control operation of the positioner to move a work piece relative to the saw for cutting the work piece in accordance with the length dimension measured by the caliper tool.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the processing apparatus is configured to cut wood.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is programmed to optimize cutting of raw stock based on a cut list entered in the controller.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller is programmed to create or alter a cut list based on measurements made by the caliper tool.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the receiving device is configured to receive radio signals from the transmitting device.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the length is linear.