Visual drag diagnostic apparatus and method

Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process – Product assembly or manufacturing

Reexamination Certificate

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

C700S180000, C700S177000, C318S565000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06490500

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND
This invention relates to Computerized Numerical Control (CNC) machines. The CNC machines are used to create products by machining a raw material into a desired shape. The raw material is commonly referred to as a work piece. Operators of CNC machines are concerned about drag associated with moving components of the CNC machine. The drag associated with the moving components is encountered during the CNC machine's operation. The moving components of the CNC machine usually move a tool holder holding a cutting tool about the work piece or a table holding the work piece about a cutting tool. The moving components move the tool holder or table about the X, Y and Z axial planes of the work piece. The drag is usually a value measured as the force required to move the tool holder or table in any or all of the X, Y and Z axial planes. The force or drag is usually measured in terms of torque. A higher than normal drag value usually indicates a problem with the CNC machine, which could affect the proper operation of the CNC machine and/or the proper machining of the work piece. As an example, a higher than normal drag value for moving the tool holder or table could indicate that lubrication, cleaning or adjustment of the moving components is required.
It is an object of the present invention to insure proper operation of the CNC machine and prevent damage of the CNC machine by providing a capability to readily check the drag values of a CNC machine as compared to the CNC machine's normal range of acceptable operational drag values.
It is another object of the present invention to prevent defects in manufacture of a product by providing a capability to readily check the drag values of a CNC machine as compared to the CNC machine's normal range of acceptable operational drag values before machining the product.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides apparatus, software and a method for visually determining operational status of moving components of a CNC machine. The apparatus, software and method are used for monitoring and recording a force required to move the moving components of the CNC machine. They then plot the force on a visual display as feedback to an operator of the CNC machine. They also provide a reference on the visual display indicating acceptable maximum range of force allowable to move the moving components, such that the operator can compare the force plotted on the visual display to the reference provided at the CNC machine.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3576979 (1971-05-01), McCall et al.
patent: 4562392 (1985-12-01), Davis et al.
patent: 4713770 (1987-12-01), Hayes et al.
patent: 5317518 (1994-05-01), Fujita et al.
patent: 5323325 (1994-06-01), Izumiya
patent: 5414632 (1995-05-01), Mochizuki et al.
patent: 5446672 (1995-08-01), Boldys
patent: 5469352 (1995-11-01), Yukutomt et al.
patent: 5566092 (1996-10-01), Wang et al.
patent: 5568028 (1996-10-01), Uchiyama et al.
patent: 5586041 (1996-12-01), Mangrulkar
patent: 5587915 (1996-12-01), Nagatomi
patent: 5631851 (1997-05-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 5633800 (1997-05-01), Bankert et al.
patent: 5642297 (1997-06-01), Brady et al.
patent: 5757648 (1998-05-01), Nakamura
patent: 5812406 (1998-09-01), Matsumoto

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for the USA inventors and patents. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Visual drag diagnostic apparatus and method does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Visual drag diagnostic apparatus and method, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Visual drag diagnostic apparatus and method will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2944145

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.