Visual drag diagnostic apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method, of visually determining operational status of moving components of a CNC machine prior to use of a tool to determine the operation status of the moving components of a CNC machine other than the tool, comprising:
- monitoring and recording a force prior to using a tool which is required to move said moving components other than the tool;
plotting said force on a visual display on said visual display as feedback to an operator of said CNC machine; and
providing a reference on said visual display indicating acceptable maximum range of force allowable to move said moving components, such that said operator can compare said force plotted on said visual display to said reference provided at said CNC machine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a visual drag diagnostic apparatus, software and method for CNC machines. The present invention creates a visual display or plot of the drag values associated with the CNC machine'"'"'s moving components along each axis of movement of a tool holder or table. The plot created by the present invention provides a diagnostic tool to evaluate the operational status of the CNC machine, which is quick to perform and easy to understand by the operator. Knowing the drag values allows an operator to foresee problems with tool holder or table movement before making a product, thereby saving time and money during machining operations.
20 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method, of visually determining operational status of moving components of a CNC machine prior to use of a tool to determine the operation status of the moving components of a CNC machine other than the tool, comprising:
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monitoring and recording a force prior to using a tool which is required to move said moving components other than the tool;
plotting said force on a visual display on said visual display as feedback to an operator of said CNC machine; and
providing a reference on said visual display indicating acceptable maximum range of force allowable to move said moving components, such that said operator can compare said force plotted on said visual display to said reference provided at said CNC machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of visually determining operational status of moving components of a CNC machine comprising:
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monitoring and recording a force required to move said moving components, said moving components combining to move a single component of said CNC machine in X, Y and Z axial planes, and said movement of said single component along each of said axial planes includes a first and second limit of travel and further including recording said force as said single component is moved along a path from said first limit to said second limit;
plotting said force on a visual display on said visual display as feedback to an operator of said CNC machine; and
providing a reference on said visual display indicating acceptable maximum range of force allowable to move said moving components, such that said operator can compare said force plotted on said visual display to said reference provided at said CNC machine. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method of visually determining operational status of moving components of a CNC machine comprising:
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monitoring and recording a force required to move said moving components;
plotting said force on a visual display on said visual display as feedback to an operator of s aid CNC machine; and
providing a reference on said visual display indicating acceptable maximum range of force allowable to move said moving components, such that said operator can compare said force plotted on said visual display to said reference provided at said CNC machine;
wherein said moving components combine to move a table of said CNC machine in X, Y and Z axial planes and further including monitoring, recording and plotting said force for movement of said table in each of said axial planes at separate intervals;
wherein said movement of said table along each of said axial planes includes a first and second limit of travel and further including recording said force as said table is moved along a path from said first limit to said second limit and back again along said path from said second limit to said first limit;
wherein said method further includes providing a warning message if said force required to move said table exceeds said acceptable maximum range of force allowable to move said moving components; and
wherein said force is monitored by measuring electrical current required by at least one motor moving said moving components and said measured electrical current is converted into units of force.- View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for visual displaying the operational status of moving components of a CNC machine to an operator prior to use of a tool to determine the operation status of the moving components of a CNC machine other than the tool, comprising:
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a computer connected to said CNC machine, said computer including software embedded to monitor, record and store drag values associated with movement of said moving components other than said tool, and store an acceptable range of maximum drag allowable as out of range markers; and
a visual display to receive a plot of said recorded drag values and said out of range markers. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification