Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
Tracer control apparatus, for a tracer machining system operable to effect tracing by tracing feeds and pick feeds and to effect clamping feeds at a preset clamping level, characterised by memory means for storing a first position along the pick feed axis, which position corresponds to the first of a succession of tracing feeds in the course of each of which clamping feed is effected in an initial tracing, and for storing a second position along the pick feed axis, which position corresponds to a tracing feed, following next after the last tracing feed of the succession, in the course of which clamping feed is not effected, means operable in dependenceupon the first and second positions as stored in the memory means to cause tracing between the first and second positions to be repeated, back and forth between those positions, and clamping level'setting means for setting an initial clamping level in respect of the initial tracing from the first to the second position, and for changing the clamping level for respective subsequent repeat tracings between the first and second positions until, -in such a repeat tracing, clamping feed is not effected at the changed clamping level set for that tracing or a limit clamping level value is reached, whereafter.the initial clamping level is set once more, and tracing proceeds beyond the second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
223 words
Tracer control apparatus, for a tracer machining system operable to effect tracing by tracing feeds and pick feeds and to effect clamping feeds at a preset clamping level, characterised by memory means for storing a first position along the pick feed axis, which position corresponds to the first of a succession of tracing feeds in the course of each of which clamping feed is effected in an initial tracing, and for storing a second position along the pick feed axis, which position corresponds to a tracing feed, following next after the last tracing feed of the succession, in the course of which clamping feed is not effected, means operable in dependenceupon the first and second positions as stored in the memory means to cause tracing between the first and second positions to be repeated, back and forth between those positions, and clamping level'setting means for setting an initial clamping level in respect of the initial tracing from the first to the second position, and for changing the clamping level for respective subsequent repeat tracings between the first and second positions until, -in such a repeat tracing, clamping feed is not effected at the changed clamping level set for that tracing or a limit clamping level value is reached, whereafter.the initial clamping level is set once more, and tracing proceeds beyond the second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a counter arranged for counting pulses from a pick-feed axis position detector of the system, wherein the memory means are operable to store the first and second positions in terms of the counts reached the counter for those positions, the count correspond L to the first position being entered into the memory in response to the occurrence of clamping feed, in the first of the succession of tracing feeds, and the count corresponding to the second position being entered into the memory in response to the absence of clamping feed in the next tracing feed after the last of the succession.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the clamping level setting means comprise a first register holding the initial clamping level, a second register holding a clamping level increment, and a clamping level setting counter operable to derive the changed clamping levels for each of the said respective subsequent repeat tracings by adding the said increment to the clamping level applicable to the last preceding tracing.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of machining in a tracer machining system that is operable to effect tracing by tracing feeds and pick feeds and to effect clamping feeds at a preset clamping level, characterised in that the method comprises: in an initial tracing, storing a first position along the pick feed axis which position corresponds to the first tracing feed of a succession of tracing feeds in which clamping feed is effected,and storing a second position along the pick feed axis which position corresponds to a tracing feed, following next after the last tracing feed of the succession, in the course of which clamping feed is not effected, in dependence upon the stored positions, executing repeat tracings back and forth between those positions, in respective such repeat tracings after the initial tracing, changing the clamping level from an initial clamping level value applicable to the initial tracing, until in such a repeat tracing clamping feed is not effected at the changed clamping level set for that tracing or a limit clamping level value is reached, then, setting the initial clamping level once more and tracing beyond the second position.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
187 words
A method of machining in a tracer machining system that is operable to effect tracing by tracing feeds and pick feeds and to effect clamping feeds at a preset clamping level, characterised in that the method comprises: in an initial tracing, storing a first position along the pick feed axis which position corresponds to the first tracing feed of a succession of tracing feeds in which clamping feed is effected,and storing a second position along the pick feed axis which position corresponds to a tracing feed, following next after the last tracing feed of the succession, in the course of which clamping feed is not effected, in dependence upon the stored positions, executing repeat tracings back and forth between those positions, in respective such repeat tracings after the initial tracing, changing the clamping level from an initial clamping level value applicable to the initial tracing, until in such a repeat tracing clamping feed is not effected at the changed clamping level set for that tracing or a limit clamping level value is reached, then, setting the initial clamping level once more and tracing beyond the second position.