US3728595A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Feedrate control system for milling machines
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1970-02-27
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Granted: 1973-04-17
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Expires: 1990-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A system for automatically controlling the feedrate of a milling machine includes a sensor which measures the actual milling force exerted on the cutting element thereof during the milling process. If the actual milling force exceeds a pre-set reference force, a controller supplies a control signal to the feedrate control circuits within the milling machine to appropriately modify the feedrate. A sensor housing for cutter drawbar machines includes a spindle adapter which is interposed between the spindle and cutting element and which has disposed thereon a plurality of strain gauges disposed in a bridge arrangement. The outputs of the bridges correspond to either spindle deflection or spindle torque. The controller may include an integral control function which operates on an error signal obtained from the comparison of the pre-set reference and the actual milling forces.
Inventors
- 👤 L Adams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:53
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/416; G05B19/4163; B; B23; B23Q; B23Q17/00; G01; G01N; G01N3/00; G01N3/58; B23Q2717/00; B23Q2717/006; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T409/00; Y10T409/30; Y10T409/30084; Y10T409/301176; Y10T409/301624; Y10T409/30168
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for automatically controlling the feedrate of a milling machine which includes a rotatable spindle holding a cutting tool and which has an input allowing control of feedrate, comprising: a. sensor means measuring a given spindle parameter and producing therefrom a signal proportional to milling force exerted on the cutting tool during milling, b. means providing a reference force signal, c. means summing said reference force signal with said milling force signal to provide an error signal equal to the difference therebetween, and d. controller means producing from said error signal a control signal and including means coupling said control signal to the feedrate control input of the milling machine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A system for automatically controlling the feedrate of a milling machine which includes a rotatable spindle holding a cutting tool and which has an input allowing control of feedrate, comprising: a. sensor means measuring a given spindle parameter and producing therefrom a signal proportional to milling force exerted on the cutting tool during milling, b. means providing a reference force signal, c. means summing said reference force signal with said milling force signal to provide an error signal equal to the difference therebetween, and d. controller means producing from said error signal a control signal and including means coupling said control signal to the feedrate control input of the milling machine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said spindle parameter measured by said sensor means comprises spindle deflection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as recited in claim 2 wherein said spindle deflection is measured along directions perpendIcular to the axis of the spindle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said spindle parameter measured by said sensor means comprises spindle torque.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as recited in claim 1 wherein said controller means operates on said error signal with a predetermined, integral control function so that said control signal represents a desired average feedrate of the machine.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for use with a numerically controlled milling machine which includes a rotatable spindle holding a cutting tool adapted for engagement with a workpiece and a numerical control unit which includes apparatus for receiving a pre-programmed tape defining the details of a milling process, one of these details being a pre-set feedrate, and which further includes a feedrate override means controllable to modify the feedrate from value, pre-set value comprising: a. sensor means measuring a given spindle parameter and producing therefrom a signal proportional to milling force exerted on the cutting element during the milling process, b. circuit means providing a reference force signal, c. means summing said reference force signal with said milling force signal to provide an error signal equal to the difference therebetween, d. a controller means producing a control signal from said error signal when said milling force signal differs from said reference force signal, and e. means coupling said control signal to the feedrate override means to modify feedrate in proportion thereto.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for use with a numerically controlled milling machine which includes a rotatable spindle holding a cutting tool adapted for engagement with a workpiece and a numerical control unit which includes apparatus for receiving a pre-programmed tape defining the details of a milling process, one of these details being a pre-set feedrate, and which further includes a feedrate override means controllable to modify the feedrate from value, pre-set value comprising: a. sensor means measuring a given spindle parameter and producing therefrom a signal proportional to milling force exerted on the cutting element during the milling process, b. circuit means providing a reference force signal, c. means summing said reference force signal with said milling force signal to provide an error signal equal to the difference therebetween, d. a controller means producing a control signal from said error signal when said milling force signal differs from said reference force signal, and e. means coupling said control signal to the feedrate override means to modify feedrate in proportion thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as recited in claim 6 wherein said spindle parameter measured by said sensor means comprises spindle deflection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as recited in claim 7 wherein said spindle deflection is measured along directions perpendicular to the spindle axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as recited in claim 6 wherein said spindle parameter measured by said sensor means comprises spindle torque.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |