US3828318A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Operator programmed numerical control system
Assignee: CAM Industries Inc
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Filing: 1972-04-12
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Granted: 1974-08-06
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Expires: 1992-04-12
Abstract
Abstract A numerical control system specifically designed for programming by the machine tool operator and a simplified programming method therefor which allows the control to be completely programmed by the operator without resort to complex data bearing media or codes. The operator begins by examining some description of the required machining operations such as a part drawing to determine the desired positioning operations and the sequence of positioning steps. The co-ordinates of each step in the positioning sequence are determined relative to some predetermined reference point or ''''zero position''''. The digital information relating to each such step is programmed into the control by placing that information into data switches on each of a plurality of program panels. The control system is then activated to sequence operation by transferring the contents of the first of these control panels into the control and then carrying out the positioning operation specified in that particular panel. After the desired position is reached, a machining operation takes place and the control system sequences to the next program panel and carries out the next step in the positioning sequence.
Inventors
- 👤 C Bennett
- 👤 P Coates
- 👤 R Coates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 07:30
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/409; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
356 words
A numerical control system for positioning a machine tool along at least one axis of movement by moving said tool from a start position along said axis to a desired position, said system comprising movement sensing means operative to sense direction of movement of said machine tool and distance of movement in increments from said start position, said movement sensing means operating to provide a first output signal indicative of said direction of movement and a second output signal for every increment of distance traveled by said machine tool from said start position, actual position indicating means connected to receive said first and second output signals from said movement sensing means and operative to derive therefrom a digital value indicative of the present position of the machine tool along said axis, a plurality of program panel means for providing a sequence of numerical control data for moving said machine tool to a sequence of desired positions along said axis, each of said program panel means including at least one control data set means which may be manually operated to preset a digital value therein indicative of a desired position along said axis, said control data set means operating upon receipt of an activating signal to provide a digital output signal indicative of the digital value preset therein, sequencing means for sequentially activating the control data set means of said plurality of program panel means, adder/subtracter means operatively connected to said actual position indicating means and to said program panel means, said adder/subtractor means operating to compare the digital output signal from said control data set means with the digital value indicative of the present position of the machine tool from said actual position indicating means and to generate a first digital output signal indicative of the distance from the machine tool to the desired position and a second output signal indicative of the direction for the machine tool to travel to the desired position and drive means operatively connected to receive said first and second output signals from said adder/subtractor means, said drive means operating to control the positioning of said machine tool along said axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
356 words
A numerical control system for positioning a machine tool along at least one axis of movement by moving said tool from a start position along said axis to a desired position, said system comprising movement sensing means operative to sense direction of movement of said machine tool and distance of movement in increments from said start position, said movement sensing means operating to provide a first output signal indicative of said direction of movement and a second output signal for every increment of distance traveled by said machine tool from said start position, actual position indicating means connected to receive said first and second output signals from said movement sensing means and operative to derive therefrom a digital value indicative of the present position of the machine tool along said axis, a plurality of program panel means for providing a sequence of numerical control data for moving said machine tool to a sequence of desired positions along said axis, each of said program panel means including at least one control data set means which may be manually operated to preset a digital value therein indicative of a desired position along said axis, said control data set means operating upon receipt of an activating signal to provide a digital output signal indicative of the digital value preset therein, sequencing means for sequentially activating the control data set means of said plurality of program panel means, adder/subtracter means operatively connected to said actual position indicating means and to said program panel means, said adder/subtractor means operating to compare the digital output signal from said control data set means with the digital value indicative of the present position of the machine tool from said actual position indicating means and to generate a first digital output signal indicative of the distance from the machine tool to the desired position and a second output signal indicative of the direction for the machine tool to travel to the desired position and drive means operatively connected to receive said first and second output signals from said adder/subtractor means, said drive means operating to control the positioning of said machine tool along said axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
The numerical control system of claim 1 wherein said actual position indicating means includes reversible up/down counter means having a count input connected to receive the second output signals from said movement sensing means and a direction of count input connected to receive the first output signals from said direction sensing means, said reversible up/down counter means operating to count in a direction controlled by said first output signal from said movement sensing means to register a count in response to the second output signal from said movement sensing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The numerical control system of claim 2 wherein said reversible up-down counter means includes a reset input, said reversible up/down counter means being operative in response to an input signal at said reset input thereof to zero the count indication registered thereby.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The numerical control system of claim 3 which includes zero means connected to selectively supply a reset signal to the reset input of said reversible up/down counter means to provide a new start position for said machine tool.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
The numerical control system of claim 4 wherein said sequencing means includes sequencing reversible counter means having a count up input and a count down input, said sequencing reversible counter means having a plurality of outputs, each output being individually connected to provide an actuating signal to one of said program panel means, said actuating output signal being provided by said sequencing reversible counter means upon the registration thereby of a predetermined count corresponding to a specific one of said plurality of outputs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
The numerical control system of claim 5 which includes pulse input means connected to the up input of said sequencing reversible counter means to provide sequencing pulses thereto, said sequencing reversible counter means operating to register an increasing count in response to said sequencing pulses, and back-step pulse means connected to the down input of said sequencing reversible counter means, said backstep input means operative to provide an input signal to cause said sequencing reversible counter means to count down and register a decreasing count, said decreasing count causing an activating signal to be sent to reactivate a previously activated program panel means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
The numerical control system of claim 1 wherein said drive means includes creep distance control means for generating a creep position signal indicative of a predetermined creep position and comparator means operatively connected to said creep distance control means and said parallel adder/ subtractor means for comparing said first digital output signal from said parallel adder/subtractor means with said creep position signal, said comparator means being operative when said first digital output signal reaches a desired relationship with said creep position signal to provide a creep control signal, said drive means operating in response to said creep control signal to reduce the speed of movement of said machine tool along said axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
The numerical control system of claim 6 wherein said drive means includes zero detector means operatively connected to said parallel adder/subtractor means for determining when said first digital output signal reaches zero and creep distance control means for generating a creep position signal indicative of a predetermined creep position and comparator means operatively connected to said creep distance control means and said parallel adder/subtractor means for comparing said first digital output signal from said parallel adder/subtractor means with said creep position signal, said comparator means being operative when said first digital output signal reaches a desired relationship with said creep position signal to provide a creep control signal, said drive means operating in response to said creep control signal to reduce the speed of movement of said machine tool along said axis.
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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) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |