US3769488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Workload allocation for one or more tools in a laser cloth cutting system
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1972-01-19
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1992-01-19
Abstract
Abstract A cloth cutting system wherein cloth is carried in a single layer into a cutting area wherein a laser beam is focused on the cloth and is directed by computer commands to travel within the cutting area so as to cut a plurality of patterns through the cloth rapidly and accurately.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hasslinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 17:57
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/08; B23K26/083; B23K26/0853; A; A41; A41H; A41H3/00; B23K26/0006; B26; B26F; B26F1/00; B23K2103/00; B23K2103/30; B23K2103/38; B26F2210/00; B26F2210/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S83/00; Y10S83/929; Y10S83/936; Y10S83/937; Y10S83/939; Y10S83/94
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of guiding a plurality of tools along the perimeters of a set of patterns distributed along an elongate surface movable along its longitudinal axis in response to signals representing the perimeters and locations of said set of patterns in their desired positions on said surface, comprising: a. assigning to each said tool an area of operation which extends along said axis by a length which is at least twice the longest dimension of any of said patterns along said axis and spacing apart said areas along said axis; b. successively advancing said elongate surface along said axis through said areas of operation in equal steps so that after each said step a successive one of a first series of spaced apart groups of said set of patterns is positioned fully in one of said areas of operation, said areas of operation being spaced from one another so that after each said step a successive one of a respective additional series of spaced apart groups of said set of patterns, whose member groups alternate cyclically with member groups of said first series of spaced apart groups, is positioned fully in each of the other of said areas of operation; and c. after each said advancement actuating each said tool with the signals representing the patterns in the pattern group then located in the area of operation of that tool.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
230 words
A method of guiding a plurality of tools along the perimeters of a set of patterns distributed along an elongate surface movable along its longitudinal axis in response to signals representing the perimeters and locations of said set of patterns in their desired positions on said surface, comprising: a. assigning to each said tool an area of operation which extends along said axis by a length which is at least twice the longest dimension of any of said patterns along said axis and spacing apart said areas along said axis; b. successively advancing said elongate surface along said axis through said areas of operation in equal steps so that after each said step a successive one of a first series of spaced apart groups of said set of patterns is positioned fully in one of said areas of operation, said areas of operation being spaced from one another so that after each said step a successive one of a respective additional series of spaced apart groups of said set of patterns, whose member groups alternate cyclically with member groups of said first series of spaced apart groups, is positioned fully in each of the other of said areas of operation; and c. after each said advancement actuating each said tool with the signals representing the patterns in the pattern group then located in the area of operation of that tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
The method of claim 1 characterized further in that said tools are actuated by: a. assigning to each said tool a respective series of spaced apart, transverse segments of said surface, with members of the respective series cyclically alternating, all of said segments having the same width which is no greater than half the length of the area of operation of the tool to which said segments are assigned; b. so spacing the tools along said axis that after each advancement of said surface a successive segment of a respective series of said segments is centered in each of said areas; and c. after each advancement applying to each said tool the signals representing all patterns whose longitudinal midpoints along said axis fall within the segment centered in the work area of that tool.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
to successively position fully within the work area of the other of said tools a second series of alternate segments of said material which are to be operated upon along the perimeters of a second series of said set of patterns, members of said first and second series of segments alternating with one another; and d. control means for operating each of said tools in response to those signals which represent the patterns along whose perimeters material segments in position in the work area of that tool are to be operated upon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
to successively position fully within the work area of the other of said tools a second series of alternate segments of said material which are to be operated upon along the perimeters of a second series of said set of patterns, members of said first and second series of segments alternating with one another; and d. control means for operating each of said tools in response to those signals which represent the patterns along whose perimeters material segments in position in the work area of that tool are to be operated upon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
traversing said beam over said operating area along the perimeters of those of said patterns whose reference points fall within the transverse strip stopped within said area; and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
traversing said beam over said operating area along the perimeters of those of said patterns whose reference points fall within the transverse strip stopped within said area; and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
traversing said beam over the operating area assigned to said given tool along the perimeters of those of said patterns whose longitudinal centers fall within the transverse strip stopped within said area; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
traversing said beam over the operating area assigned to said given tool along the perimeters of those of said patterns whose longitudinal centers fall within the transverse strip stopped within said area; and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
turning off said projector when said beam is between said patterns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
turning off said projector when said beam is between said patterns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
turning off said projector when said beam is between said patterns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
turning off said projector when said beam is between said patterns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 2 characterized further in that said signals digitally represent successive segments of successive pattern perimeters and are applied to each said tool serially, segment after segment, pattern after pattern until said tool has been guided along the perimeters of all patterns positioned fully within its work area.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
249 words
A method of guiding a pair of tools along the perimeters of a set of patterns positioned over an elongate surface movable along its longitudinal axis in response to a record of signals representing the perimeters and locations of said patterns comprising the steps of: a. assigning to each said tool an area of operation which extends along the longitudinal axis of said elongate surface by a length L which is at least twice as long as the longest dimension of any of said patterns along said axis, and spacing apart said areas along said axis by an odd multiple of L/2; b. advancing said elongate surface along its longitudinal axis through said assigned areas of operation in a series of steps, each L long and stopping said surface after each advance so that a successive transverse strip of L/2 length is located fully within the first of said assigned areas; c. actuating one of said tools when the first and subsequent odd transverse strips are located in its Assigned area of operation, said actuation being in response to the signals representing those patterns whose longitudinal centers along said axis fall within said first and subsequent odd transverse strips; and d. actuating the other one of said tools when the second and subsequent even strips are located in its assigned area of operation, said actuation being in response to the signals representing those patterns whose longitudinal centers along said axis fall within said second and subsequent odd transverse strips.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
249 words
A method of guiding a pair of tools along the perimeters of a set of patterns positioned over an elongate surface movable along its longitudinal axis in response to a record of signals representing the perimeters and locations of said patterns comprising the steps of: a. assigning to each said tool an area of operation which extends along the longitudinal axis of said elongate surface by a length L which is at least twice as long as the longest dimension of any of said patterns along said axis, and spacing apart said areas along said axis by an odd multiple of L/2; b. advancing said elongate surface along its longitudinal axis through said assigned areas of operation in a series of steps, each L long and stopping said surface after each advance so that a successive transverse strip of L/2 length is located fully within the first of said assigned areas; c. actuating one of said tools when the first and subsequent odd transverse strips are located in its Assigned area of operation, said actuation being in response to the signals representing those patterns whose longitudinal centers along said axis fall within said first and subsequent odd transverse strips; and d. actuating the other one of said tools when the second and subsequent even strips are located in its assigned area of operation, said actuation being in response to the signals representing those patterns whose longitudinal centers along said axis fall within said second and subsequent odd transverse strips.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of claim 4 characterized further in that: a. said tools include laser beam projectors; b. said elongate surface carries a layer of material through which said patterns are to be cut by said beams; and c. actuation of a given one of said tools includes:
Claim 18
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of guiding a tool along the perimeters of a set of patterns over an elongate surface movable along its longitudinal axis in response to a record of signals digitally representing the perimeters and locations of said patterns comprising the steps of: a. assigning to said tool an area of operation which extends along the longitudinal axis of said elongate surface by a length L which is at least twice as long as the longest dimension of any of said patterns; b. advancing said elongate surface along its longitudinal axis through said assigned area of operation in a series steps each L/2 long and stopping said surface after each advance so that a successive transverse strip L/2 in length is located fully within said assigned area; and c. actuating said tool, after each successive transverse strip has stopped fully within its assigned area of operation, in response to the signals representing those patterns whose location along said axis bears a predetermined relationship to said stopped transverse strip.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of guiding a tool along the perimeters of a set of patterns over an elongate surface movable along its longitudinal axis in response to a record of signals digitally representing the perimeters and locations of said patterns comprising the steps of: a. assigning to said tool an area of operation which extends along the longitudinal axis of said elongate surface by a length L which is at least twice as long as the longest dimension of any of said patterns; b. advancing said elongate surface along its longitudinal axis through said assigned area of operation in a series steps each L/2 long and stopping said surface after each advance so that a successive transverse strip L/2 in length is located fully within said assigned area; and c. actuating said tool, after each successive transverse strip has stopped fully within its assigned area of operation, in response to the signals representing those patterns whose location along said axis bears a predetermined relationship to said stopped transverse strip.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 6 characterized further in that: a. said tool includes a laser beam projector; b. said elongate surface carries a layer of material through which said patterns are to be cut by said beam; and c. actuation of said tool includes:
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 7 characterized further in that said predetermined relationship is that the longitudinal center of said pattern along said axis falls within said stopped transverse strip.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of guiding a tool, which is movable within a flat plane, along the perimeters of a set of patterns over an elongate panel of material in response to stored signals digitally representing the perimeters and locations of said patterns on said elongate panel, comprising the steps of: a. providing said tool with an operating range which extends along said selected axis farther than twice the longest dimension of any of said patterns; b. advancing said panel of material in a flat condition along said axis and substantially parallel to said plane in successive equal steps, each step bringing a successive transverse reference strip of equal width of said panel of material into the operating range of said tool; and c. traversing said tool over each transverse reference strip that has come within its operating range in response to the signals representing those patterns whose location along said axis bears a predetermined relationship to the position of said transverse reference strip along said axis.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
165 words
A method of guiding a tool, which is movable within a flat plane, along the perimeters of a set of patterns over an elongate panel of material in response to stored signals digitally representing the perimeters and locations of said patterns on said elongate panel, comprising the steps of: a. providing said tool with an operating range which extends along said selected axis farther than twice the longest dimension of any of said patterns; b. advancing said panel of material in a flat condition along said axis and substantially parallel to said plane in successive equal steps, each step bringing a successive transverse reference strip of equal width of said panel of material into the operating range of said tool; and c. traversing said tool over each transverse reference strip that has come within its operating range in response to the signals representing those patterns whose location along said axis bears a predetermined relationship to the position of said transverse reference strip along said axis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 characterized further in that said relationship is that the longitudinal center of said pattern falls within said reference strip.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus comprising: a. a record medium containing signals representing the perimeters and locations of a set of patterns to be cut through an elongate panel of material; b. first and second tools, each having means for traversing it independently of the other over separate work areas, each work area being at least twice as long as the longest of said patterns; c. means for moving said panel of material along its length successively through said work areas in equal steps whose length relative to that of said work areas is selected
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus comprising: a. a record medium containing signals representing the perimeters and locations of a set of patterns to be cut through an elongate panel of material; b. first and second tools, each having means for traversing it independently of the other over separate work areas, each work area being at least twice as long as the longest of said patterns; c. means for moving said panel of material along its length successively through said work areas in equal steps whose length relative to that of said work areas is selected
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
175 words
A numerically controlled tool responsive to a record medium containing signals representing the perimeters and locations of a set of patterns to be followed along an elongate panel of material and comprising in combination: a. means for providing signals representing the perimeters and locations of a set of patterns to be followed along an elongate panel of material; b. first and second tools each having means for traversing it independently of the other over separate work areas each work area being at least twice as long as the longest of said patterns; c. means for moving said panel of material along its length successively through said work areas flat, in equal steps whose length is selected to position respective sets of alternate, equally widthed, transverse strips of said material in said first and second areas respectively; and d. control means for operating each of said tools in response to those signals that represent the patterns whose location along said axis bears a predetermined relationship to the position of said transverse reference strip along said axis.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
175 words
A numerically controlled tool responsive to a record medium containing signals representing the perimeters and locations of a set of patterns to be followed along an elongate panel of material and comprising in combination: a. means for providing signals representing the perimeters and locations of a set of patterns to be followed along an elongate panel of material; b. first and second tools each having means for traversing it independently of the other over separate work areas each work area being at least twice as long as the longest of said patterns; c. means for moving said panel of material along its length successively through said work areas flat, in equal steps whose length is selected to position respective sets of alternate, equally widthed, transverse strips of said material in said first and second areas respectively; and d. control means for operating each of said tools in response to those signals that represent the patterns whose location along said axis bears a predetermined relationship to the position of said transverse reference strip along said axis.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
50 words
The tool of claim 12 characterized further in that the width of each said reference strip along said axis exceeds the length of the longest of said patterns along said axis, and in that said predetermined relationship is that the longitudinal midpoint of said pattern falls within said reference strip.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
279 words
A system for guiding a plurality of cutting tools over an elongate panel of material so as to jointly cut a plurality of patterns through said panel in a desired array comprising in combination: a. a plurality of cutting tools spaced along a selected axis, each tool being movable in a plane within a separate work area; b. means for moving an elongate panel of material with its longitudinal axis aligned with said selected axis through a succession of stationary positions in said work areas so that a different set of spaced apart transverse strips of said panel becomes positioned in the work area of each of said cutting tools; c. digital servo means for moving each said tool within its work area independently of the other in response to a pair of velocity-representative pulse trains after each said movement of said panel; d. a cutting sequence tape having stored thereon a plurality of data groups, each data group representing the perimeters of those patterns whose longitudinal centers are to fall within a respective set of transverse strips successivEly positioned in a given one of said work areas, data groups representing patterns whose longitudinal centers along said axis are to fall in each said strip being separately identified with the tool in whose work area that strip is to be centered; and e. digital computing means for deriving from each said data group a pair of velocity-representative pulse trains and for applying said pulse trains to the respective digital servo means when the transverse strip which is to contain the longitudinal centers of the patterns represented by said data group is positioned within the work area of said tool.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
279 words
A system for guiding a plurality of cutting tools over an elongate panel of material so as to jointly cut a plurality of patterns through said panel in a desired array comprising in combination: a. a plurality of cutting tools spaced along a selected axis, each tool being movable in a plane within a separate work area; b. means for moving an elongate panel of material with its longitudinal axis aligned with said selected axis through a succession of stationary positions in said work areas so that a different set of spaced apart transverse strips of said panel becomes positioned in the work area of each of said cutting tools; c. digital servo means for moving each said tool within its work area independently of the other in response to a pair of velocity-representative pulse trains after each said movement of said panel; d. a cutting sequence tape having stored thereon a plurality of data groups, each data group representing the perimeters of those patterns whose longitudinal centers are to fall within a respective set of transverse strips successivEly positioned in a given one of said work areas, data groups representing patterns whose longitudinal centers along said axis are to fall in each said strip being separately identified with the tool in whose work area that strip is to be centered; and e. digital computing means for deriving from each said data group a pair of velocity-representative pulse trains and for applying said pulse trains to the respective digital servo means when the transverse strip which is to contain the longitudinal centers of the patterns represented by said data group is positioned within the work area of said tool.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |