US3848490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for controlling a cutting tool
Assignee: Gerber Technology LLC
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Filing: 1973-11-02
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1993-11-02
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for controlling a cutting blade which cuts pattern pieces from layups of sheet material held in a compressed condition by vacuum employs a pressure sensor to detect previous cuts near the blade as the blade advances along a cutting path through the layup. The sensor has a pickup which translates with the blade along the cutting path and the reduced pressure produced by the vacuum in the previous cuts is sensed as the blade comes into close proximity to the cuts. When a cut is detected, control mechanism regulating the motions of the blade through the layup respond to the detected cut and vary the cutting parameters of the blade to permit more accurate cutting in regions adjacent the cut.
Inventors
- 👤 R Arel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:44
CPC Classifications
B; B26; B26F; B26F1/00; B26F1/38; G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/416; G05B19/4163; B26F2001/388; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/04; Y10T83/0524; Y10T83/0572; Y10T83/525; Y10T83/538; Y10T83/687; Y10T83/6875; Y10T83/6905; Y10T83/691; Y10T83/692
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
In combination in an automatically controlled cutting machine having a cutting table with a cutting tool and a support surface on which sheet material to be cut is spread and held by means of a vacuum holddown system, the table also including means for moving the cutting tool and the sheet material on the surface relative to one another along a line of cut with the tool advancing in cutting engagement with the material, the improvement comprising: means for sensing previous cuts by the tool in the sheet material in the region of the cutting tool as the tool advances through the sheet material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
In combination in an automatically controlled cutting machine having a cutting table with a cutting tool and a support surface on which sheet material to be cut is spread and held by means of a vacuum holddown system, the table also including means for moving the cutting tool and the sheet material on the surface relative to one another along a line of cut with the tool advancing in cutting engagement with the material, the improvement comprising: means for sensing previous cuts by the tool in the sheet material in the region of the cutting tool as the tool advances through the sheet material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises a pressure sensor for detecting the reduced pressure produced by the vacuum system in a previous cut.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises a pressure sensor having a pressure pickup located adjacent and traveling with the cutting tool as the tool advances through the sheet material along the line of cut.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein: a presser foot is connected to the means for moving and surrounds the cutting tool for holding the sheet material during a cutting operation; and the pickup of the pressure sensor is carried by the presser foot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein: the presser foot has a pressing surface making contact with the sheet material during a cutting operation and a sensing chamber is defined in the foot and exposed at the pressing surface; and the pressure sensor pickup is connected with the sensing chamber in the presser foot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein the pressure sensor is a pressure switch mounted in the presser foot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein: the means for sensing comprises a sensor having a pickup mounted adjacent the cutting tool and responsive to leakage caused by the vacuum holddown system through the previous cut in the sheet material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improvement of claim 7 wherein: the pickup is mounted immediately in advance of the cutting tool.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for controlling the cutting blade of an automatically controlled cutting machine having a support table on which a layup of sheet material is held compressed by a vacuum system, means for translating the cutting blade and the layup relative to one another at variable feed rates and means for rotating the cutting blade in the sheet material to establish tangency of the blade and the cutting path through the sheet material comprising: means for sensing previous cuts in the material in close proximity to the cutting path as the cutting blade translates along the cutting path; and means responsive to the sensing means for varying the motion of the cutting blade in the material as the blade translates into close proximity to the previous cut.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for controlling the cutting blade of an automatically controlled cutting machine having a support table on which a layup of sheet material is held compressed by a vacuum system, means for translating the cutting blade and the layup relative to one another at variable feed rates and means for rotating the cutting blade in the sheet material to establish tangency of the blade and the cutting path through the sheet material comprising: means for sensing previous cuts in the material in close proximity to the cutting path as the cutting blade translates along the cutting path; and means responsive to the sensing means for varying the motion of the cutting blade in the material as the blade translates into close proximity to the previous cut.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus for controlling the cutting blade as defined in claim 9 wherein: the sensing means comprises a pressure sensor coupled with the cutting blade for translation with the blade along the cutting path adjacent the surface of the layup to detect the reduced pressure created by the vacuum system in the previous cut.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
ApparatUs for controlling as defined in claim 9 wherein the pressure sensor is a pressure switch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus for controlling the cutting blade as defined in claim 10 wherein: the means for varying comprises means for reducing the feed rate of the cutting blade through the sheet material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus for controlling the cutting blade as defined in claim 10 wherein: the means for varying comprises means for yawing the cutting blade relative to the cutting path and away from the previous cut.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus for controlling the blade as defined in claim 10 wherein: the cutting blade is a reciprocating blade; and the means for varying comprises means for reducing the stroking rate of the blade.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of controlling a cutting blade as the blade is guided along a cutting path through a layup of sheet material held in a compressed condition by means of vacuum generated within the layup comprising the steps of: sensing a previous cut in the sheet material in the vicinity of the blade as the blade advances along the cutting path; and changing a cutting parameter of the blade when a previous cut is sensed and as the blade passes the previous cut to modify the cutting operation in the vicinity of the previous cut.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of controlling a cutting blade as the blade is guided along a cutting path through a layup of sheet material held in a compressed condition by means of vacuum generated within the layup comprising the steps of: sensing a previous cut in the sheet material in the vicinity of the blade as the blade advances along the cutting path; and changing a cutting parameter of the blade when a previous cut is sensed and as the blade passes the previous cut to modify the cutting operation in the vicinity of the previous cut.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of controlling a cutting blade as defined in claim 15 wherein the step of sensing comprises: sensing the vacuum holding the sheet material in a compressed condition at the previous cut.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the step of sensing further comprises sensing the effects of the vacuum at the surface of the layup.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the step of sensing still further comprises sensing the reduced pressure caused by the vacuum in the previous cut at the surface of the layup.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of controlling a cutting blade as defined in claim 15 wherein the step of changing comprises slowing the cutting operation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of controlling as defined in claim 19 wherein the step of slowing comprises reducing the feed rate of the cutting blade.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of controlling as defined in claim 20 wherein the step of reducing includes stopping the advancement of the cutting blade.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method fo controlling as defined in claim 19 wherein the cutting blade is a reciprocating cutting blade and the step of slowing comprises reducing the stroking rate of the reciprocating cutting blade.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method of controlling a cutting blade as defined in claim 15 wherein the step of changing comprises rotating the cutting blade slightly about an axis perpendicular to the layup out of alignment with the cutting path to establish an angular relationship between the blade and the cutting path with the leading edge of the blade rotated away from the previous cut.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of controlling as defined in claim 23 further including the step of returning the cutting blade into alignment with the cutting path after the cutting blade passes the vicinity of the previous cut.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method of controlling a cutting blade as defined in claim 15 including the additional step of reestablishing the changed cutting parameter to the condition prior to the change after the cutting blade passes the vicinity of the previous cut.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3780607A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |