Method and apparatus for numerical control of members independently movable along coincident axes

Claim 1

The method of controlling the successive positioning of a part relative to a tool member which are both independently movable along a common axis relative to a base, and wherein successive values of a signaled command number (W) call for movements of the part to make the positions of the member, measured in part coordinates from a first origin on the part, agree with such values, said method comprising a. signaling a first number (wzCP) whose value represents the desired part coordinate position of said member, b. signaling a second number (ZTM) whose value dynamically changes and always represents the position of said member in base coordinates measured from a second origin on the base, c. in response to signaling of a new value of the command number (W), changing said first number (wzCP) by an amount equal to the difference between the new and the previous values of the command number, d. changing said first number by an amount equal to the change in the value of said second number when said member is moved, and e. moving said part along the base to keep its position in base coordinates equal to said first number but offset by an amount equal to the value of said second number.

Claim 2

The method of controlling the successive positioning of a part relative to a tool member which are both independently movable along a common axis relative to a base, and wherein successive values of a signaled command number (W) call for movements of the part to make the positions of the member, measured in part coordinates from a first origin on the part, agree with such values, said method comprising a. signaling a first number (wzCP) whose value represents the desired part coordinate position of said member, b. signaling a second number (ZTM) whose value dynamically changes and always represents the position of said member in base coordinates measured from a second origin on the base, c. in response to signaling of a new value of the command number (W), changing said first number (wzCP) by an amount equal to the difference between the new and the previous values of the command number, d. changing said first number by an amount equal to the change in the value of said second number when said member is moved, and e. moving said part along the base to keep its position in base coordinates equal to said first number but offset by an amount equal to the value of said second number.

Claim 17

The method of controlling the successive positioning of a part relative to a tool member, where both the part and the member are independently movable along a common axis relative to a base, in response to successive values of a signaled command number (W) which represents the desired position of the member in part coordinates referenced to a first origin on the part, said method comprising a. signaling a first number (wzCP) representing the desired relative position of said member in part coordinates, b. signaling a second number (ZTM) which changes to dynamically represent the position of said member in base coordinates referenced to a second origin on the base, c. signaling a third number (WMP) equal to the differnece between said first and second numbers and which represents the desired position of said part in converse base coordinates measured relative to said second origin, d. in response to signaling of a new value of said command number (W), changing said first nuMber (wzCP) by an amount equal to the difference between the new and previous value of the command number, e. changing said first number (wzCP) by an amount equal to the change in said second number which occurs whenever said member is moved, and f. moving said part along the base to keep its position in converse base coordinates in agreement with the value of said third number (WMP).

Claim 18

The method of controlling the successive positioning of a part relative to a tool member, where both the part and the member are independently movable along a common axis relative to a base, in response to successive values of a signaled command number (W) which represents the desired position of the member in part coordinates referenced to a first origin on the part, said method comprising a. signaling a first number (wzCP) representing the desired relative position of said member in part coordinates, b. signaling a second number (ZTM) which changes to dynamically represent the position of said member in base coordinates referenced to a second origin on the base, c. signaling a third number (WMP) equal to the differnece between said first and second numbers and which represents the desired position of said part in converse base coordinates measured relative to said second origin, d. in response to signaling of a new value of said command number (W), changing said first nuMber (wzCP) by an amount equal to the difference between the new and previous value of the command number, e. changing said first number (wzCP) by an amount equal to the change in said second number which occurs whenever said member is moved, and f. moving said part along the base to keep its position in converse base coordinates in agreement with the value of said third number (WMP).

Claim 19

The method of controlling the successive positioning of a first point (TT) on a member relative to a first origin on a part where both the member and the part are independently movable along a common axis relative to a base, said first origin being the origin (0) for a part coordinate scale and displaced by a first offset (WOFF) from a first reference point (RP1) fixed relative to the part, and said first point (TT) being displaced by a second offset (TOFF) from a second reference point (RP2) fixed relative to the member, said method comprising a. signaling a command number (W) whose value represents the desired position of said first point in part coordinates, and from time-to-time changing that value, b. signaling a first number (wzCP) representing the desired position of said first point in part coordinates, c. signaling a second number (ZTM) dynamically representing the position of said second reference point in base coordinates referenced to a second origin (0'') fixed on the base, d. signaling a third number (WMP) which represents the desired position of said first reference point in converse base coordinates, by adding to said first number the first and second offsets and subtracting said second number, e. in response to signaling of a new value of said command number (W), changing said first number by an amount equal to the difference between the new value and the previous value of the command number, f. changing the value of said first number by an amount equal to any changes which occur in the value of said second number, and g. moving said part and member relative to the base to keep the positions of said first and second reference points, as measured in the respective converse base and base coordinates, in agreement with the respective values of said third and second numbers, whereby changes in said command number (W) always result in said first point being located at the corresponding position in part coordinates by movement of said part, despite the fact that said member may be moved from time-to-time with corresponding changes in said second number.

Claim 20

The method of controlling the successive positioning of a first point (TT) on a member relative to a first origin on a part where both the member and the part are independently movable along a common axis relative to a base, said first origin being the origin (0) for a part coordinate scale and displaced by a first offset (WOFF) from a first reference point (RP1) fixed relative to the part, and said first point (TT) being displaced by a second offset (TOFF) from a second reference point (RP2) fixed relative to the member, said method comprising a. signaling a command number (W) whose value represents the desired position of said first point in part coordinates, and from time-to-time changing that value, b. signaling a first number (wzCP) representing the desired position of said first point in part coordinates, c. signaling a second number (ZTM) dynamically representing the position of said second reference point in base coordinates referenced to a second origin (0'') fixed on the base, d. signaling a third number (WMP) which represents the desired position of said first reference point in converse base coordinates, by adding to said first number the first and second offsets and subtracting said second number, e. in response to signaling of a new value of said command number (W), changing said first number by an amount equal to the difference between the new value and the previous value of the command number, f. changing the value of said first number by an amount equal to any changes which occur in the value of said second number, and g. moving said part and member relative to the base to keep the positions of said first and second reference points, as measured in the respective converse base and base coordinates, in agreement with the respective values of said third and second numbers, whereby changes in said command number (W) always result in said first point being located at the corresponding position in part coordinates by movement of said part, despite the fact that said member may be moved from time-to-time with corresponding changes in said second number.

Claim 25

The method of controlling the successive positioning of first and second members (25 and 14) independently movable relative to a base along a common axis by signaling respective first and second command numbers (W or Z) referenced in part coordinates to a first origin at a predetermined location on the first member, said method comprising a. signaling a third number (wzCP) which represents the desired relative position of said members in part coordinates, b. signaling a fourth number (ZTM) which dynamically represents the position of said second member in base coordinates relative to a second origin fixed on the base, c. signaling fifth and sixth numbers (WMP and ZMP) and causing said first and second members to move along the common axis to base coordinate positions which correspond to the respective values of such numbers, d. in response to a change in said first command number (W) to a new value,

Claim 26

The method of controlling the successive positioning of first and second members (25 and 14) independently movable relative to a base along a common axis by signaling respective first and second command numbers (W or Z) referenced in part coordinates to a first origin at a predetermined location on the first member, said method comprising a. signaling a third number (wzCP) which represents the desired relative position of said members in part coordinates, b. signaling a fourth number (ZTM) which dynamically represents the position of said second member in base coordinates relative to a second origin fixed on the base, c. signaling fifth and sixth numbers (WMP and ZMP) and causing said first and second members to move along the common axis to base coordinate positions which correspond to the respective values of such numbers, d. in response to a change in said first command number (W) to a new value,

Claim 27

The method of controlling the positions of two members movable independently relative to a base along a common axis in response to respective signaled command numbers (W or Z) which define the desired relative position of a first point (RP2) on the second member relative to a second point on the first member, said second point being a first origin (0) for a part coordinate scale along which said relative position is measured, said method comprising a. signaling the desired relative position of the first point in part coordinates as a first number (wzCP), b. signaling the position of said first point, in base coordinates measured from a second origin (0'') fixed on the base, as a second number (ZTM), c. signaling third and fourth numbers (WMP and ZMP) which represent the respective desired positions of said first origin in base coordinate values and said first point in converse base coordinate values, by setting said third number equal to the difference between said first and second numbers and by setting said fourth number equal to said second number, d. in response to signaling of a new value of tee command number (W) calling for movement of the first member to relocate said first point in part coordinates,

Claim 28

The method of controlling the positions of two members movable independently relative to a base along a common axis in response to respective signaled command numbers (W or Z) which define the desired relative position of a first point (RP2) on the second member relative to a second point on the first member, said second point being a first origin (0) for a part coordinate scale along which said relative position is measured, said method comprising a. signaling the desired relative position of the first point in part coordinates as a first number (wzCP), b. signaling the position of said first point, in base coordinates measured from a second origin (0'') fixed on the base, as a second number (ZTM), c. signaling third and fourth numbers (WMP and ZMP) which represent the respective desired positions of said first origin in base coordinate values and said first point in converse base coordinate values, by setting said third number equal to the difference between said first and second numbers and by setting said fourth number equal to said second number, d. in response to signaling of a new value of tee command number (W) calling for movement of the first member to relocate said first point in part coordinates,

Claim 29

The method of controlling the successive positioning of a first point (TT) on a member (14) relative to a first origin on a part (25), where both the member and the part are independently movable along a common axis relative to a base, said first origin being the origin (0) for a part coordinate scale and displaced by a first offset (WOFF) from a first reference point fixed relative to the part, and said first point (TT) being displaced by a second offset (TOFF) from a second reference point (RP2) fixed relative to the member, said method comprising a. signaling from time-to-time either a fist or a second type of positioning command number (W or Z) which respectively call for movement of the part or movement of the member to locate said first point at a position in part coordinates corresponding to the value of the command number, b. signaling a first number (wzCP) which in value designates the desired position of said first point in part coordinates, c. signaling a second number (ZTM) which in value represents the desired position of said second reference point (RP2) in base coordinates referred to a second origin (0'') fixed on the base, d. signaling a third number (WMP) which is formed and changed to be eqUal to the sum of said first number plus said first and second offsets minus said second number, e. signaling a fourth number (ZMP) which is formed and changed to be equal to said second number plus any offset distance between said second origin (0'') and a third origin (0'''') for auxiliary base coordinates, f. in response to signaling of a new value of a command number of either type (Z or W), changing the first number (wzCP) by an amount equal to the difference between the new value and the previous value of such command number, g. in response to the signaling of a new value of a command number of the second type (Z), changing the value of the second number (ZTM) by an amount equal to the difference between the new value and the previous value of the command number, h. moving said member to keep the position of said second reference point along the auxiliary base coordinates in agreement with the value of said fourth number (ZMP), and i. moving said part to keep the position of said first reference point along the converse of said base coordinates in agreement with the value of said third number (WMP).

Claim 30

The method of controlling the successive positioning of a first point (TT) on a member (14) relative to a first origin on a part (25), where both the member and the part are independently movable along a common axis relative to a base, said first origin being the origin (0) for a part coordinate scale and displaced by a first offset (WOFF) from a first reference point fixed relative to the part, and said first point (TT) being displaced by a second offset (TOFF) from a second reference point (RP2) fixed relative to the member, said method comprising a. signaling from time-to-time either a fist or a second type of positioning command number (W or Z) which respectively call for movement of the part or movement of the member to locate said first point at a position in part coordinates corresponding to the value of the command number, b. signaling a first number (wzCP) which in value designates the desired position of said first point in part coordinates, c. signaling a second number (ZTM) which in value represents the desired position of said second reference point (RP2) in base coordinates referred to a second origin (0'') fixed on the base, d. signaling a third number (WMP) which is formed and changed to be eqUal to the sum of said first number plus said first and second offsets minus said second number, e. signaling a fourth number (ZMP) which is formed and changed to be equal to said second number plus any offset distance between said second origin (0'') and a third origin (0'''') for auxiliary base coordinates, f. in response to signaling of a new value of a command number of either type (Z or W), changing the first number (wzCP) by an amount equal to the difference between the new value and the previous value of such command number, g. in response to the signaling of a new value of a command number of the second type (Z), changing the value of the second number (ZTM) by an amount equal to the difference between the new value and the previous value of the command number, h. moving said member to keep the position of said second reference point along the auxiliary base coordinates in agreement with the value of said fourth number (ZMP), and i. moving said part to keep the position of said first reference point along the converse of said base coordinates in agreement with the value of said third number (WMP).