Numerically controlled engraving machine system

Claim 1

The method of translating into numerical indicia the course of a hand-held engraving tool having a tip making an engraving cut in the face plane of a substantially flat workpiece so that said cut may be automatically simulated by a computer-controlled, powered engraving tool, comprising the steps of: a. defining the course of the hand-held tool as a plurality of component motions given as independent variables X, Y, Z, Alpha , and a dependent variable where: X is the lateral motion of the tool substantially parallel to the face plane of the workpiece; Y is the motion of the tool perpendicular to X and substantially parallel to the face plane of the workpeice; Z is the depth motion of the tool substantIally perpendicular to the face plane of the workpiece; Alpha is the tilting motion of the tool about an axis passing through the cutting tip of the tool and substantially parallel to the face plane of the workpiece; and theta is the rotational motion of the tool about an axis passing through the cutting tip of the tool and substantially perpendicular to the face plane of the workpiece, and further wherein theta is the heading of the tool defined as the angle of the tangent to the tool path at the cutting tip of the tool; b. defining each variable as a function of a common parameter: the string length ''''u'''' along the cutter point path, thus: X fx (u) Y fy (u) Z fz (u) theta f (u) Alpha f (u); c. expressing each variable as a polynomial in u; such as: X a + bu + cu2 + du3 + . . . Y e + fu + gu2 + hu3 + . . . Z i + ju + ju2 + lu3 + . . . theta m + nu + pu2 + qu3 + . . . Alpha r + su + tu2 + vu3 + . . . d. programming a digital computer to derive the coefficients of the polynomial equations of (c); e. deriving by means of said digital computer said coefficients and f. controlling the course of the powered engraving tool by means of said coefficients to regenerate the course of said hand-held engraving tool making an engraving cut.

Claim 2

The method of translating into numerical indicia the course of a hand-held engraving tool having a tip making an engraving cut in the face plane of a substantially flat workpiece so that said cut may be automatically simulated by a computer-controlled, powered engraving tool, comprising the steps of: a. defining the course of the hand-held tool as a plurality of component motions given as independent variables X, Y, Z, Alpha , and a dependent variable where: X is the lateral motion of the tool substantially parallel to the face plane of the workpiece; Y is the motion of the tool perpendicular to X and substantially parallel to the face plane of the workpeice; Z is the depth motion of the tool substantIally perpendicular to the face plane of the workpiece; Alpha is the tilting motion of the tool about an axis passing through the cutting tip of the tool and substantially parallel to the face plane of the workpiece; and theta is the rotational motion of the tool about an axis passing through the cutting tip of the tool and substantially perpendicular to the face plane of the workpiece, and further wherein theta is the heading of the tool defined as the angle of the tangent to the tool path at the cutting tip of the tool; b. defining each variable as a function of a common parameter: the string length ''''u'''' along the cutter point path, thus: X fx (u) Y fy (u) Z fz (u) theta f (u) Alpha f (u); c. expressing each variable as a polynomial in u; such as: X a + bu + cu2 + du3 + . . . Y e + fu + gu2 + hu3 + . . . Z i + ju + ju2 + lu3 + . . . theta m + nu + pu2 + qu3 + . . . Alpha r + su + tu2 + vu3 + . . . d. programming a digital computer to derive the coefficients of the polynomial equations of (c); e. deriving by means of said digital computer said coefficients and f. controlling the course of the powered engraving tool by means of said coefficients to regenerate the course of said hand-held engraving tool making an engraving cut.

Claim 8

The method of translating into numerical indicia the course of a hand-held engraving tool having a tip making an engraving cut in the substantially cylindrically shaped surface of a workpiece created by a generating element so that said cut may be automatically simulated by a computer-controlled, powered engraving tool, comprising the steps of: a. defining the course of the hand-held tool as a plurality of component motions given as independent variables X, Yr, Z, and Alpha , and a dependent variable theta , where: X is the lateral motion of the tool substantially parallel to the generating element of said surface; Yr is the motion of the tool substantially parallel to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the tool, and substantially perpendicular to the generating element of said surface; Z is the depth motion of the tool substantially perpendicular to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the tool; Alpha is the tilting motion of the tool about an axis passing through the cutting tip of the tool and substantially parallel to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the tool; and theta is the rotational motion of the tool about an axis passing through the cutting tip of the tool and substantially perpendicular to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the tool and further wherein theta is the heading of the tool defined as the angle of the tangent to the tool path at the cutting tip of the tool; b. defining each variable as a function of a common parameter: the string length ''''u'''' along the cutter point path, thus: X fx (u) Yr fyr (u) Z fz (u) theta f (u) Alpha f (u); c. expressing each variable as a polynomial in u, such as: X a + bu + cu2 + du3 + . . . Yr e + fu + gu2 + hu3 + . . . Z i + ju + ku2 + lu3 + . . . theta m + nu + pu2 + qu3 + . . . Alpha r + su + tu2 + vu3 + . . . d. programming a digital computer to derive the coefficients of the polynomial equations of (c); e. deriving by means of said digital computer said coefficients; and f. controlling the course of the powered engraving tool by means of said coefficients to regenerate the course of said hand-held engraving tool making an engraving cut.

Claim 9

The method of translating into numerical indicia the course of a hand-held engraving tool having a tip making an engraving cut in the substantially cylindrically shaped surface of a workpiece created by a generating element so that said cut may be automatically simulated by a computer-controlled, powered engraving tool, comprising the steps of: a. defining the course of the hand-held tool as a plurality of component motions given as independent variables X, Yr, Z, and Alpha , and a dependent variable theta , where: X is the lateral motion of the tool substantially parallel to the generating element of said surface; Yr is the motion of the tool substantially parallel to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the tool, and substantially perpendicular to the generating element of said surface; Z is the depth motion of the tool substantially perpendicular to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the tool; Alpha is the tilting motion of the tool about an axis passing through the cutting tip of the tool and substantially parallel to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the tool; and theta is the rotational motion of the tool about an axis passing through the cutting tip of the tool and substantially perpendicular to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the tool and further wherein theta is the heading of the tool defined as the angle of the tangent to the tool path at the cutting tip of the tool; b. defining each variable as a function of a common parameter: the string length ''''u'''' along the cutter point path, thus: X fx (u) Yr fyr (u) Z fz (u) theta f (u) Alpha f (u); c. expressing each variable as a polynomial in u, such as: X a + bu + cu2 + du3 + . . . Yr e + fu + gu2 + hu3 + . . . Z i + ju + ku2 + lu3 + . . . theta m + nu + pu2 + qu3 + . . . Alpha r + su + tu2 + vu3 + . . . d. programming a digital computer to derive the coefficients of the polynomial equations of (c); e. deriving by means of said digital computer said coefficients; and f. controlling the course of the powered engraving tool by means of said coefficients to regenerate the course of said hand-held engraving tool making an engraving cut.

Claim 15

A method of simulating a preselected hand-engraved pattern in a workpiece by automatic means, comprising the steps of: a. expressing the preselected hand-engraved pattern in terms of numerical indicia as input into a digital control computer; b. introducing the numerical indicia to the input of said digital control computer; c. directing said digital control computer by means of a control program based upon said numerical indicia to control an engraving machine having a power driven reciprocating engraving tool and a plurality of axis motors positioning the movements of the engraving tool operative on a workpiece simulative of the motions of a handheld tool operative on a workpiece wherein a digital computer is programmed to process an input containing coded digital information descriptive of a cut of an engraving pattern made by an engraving tool having a cutting tip making said cut in the face plane of a substantially flat workpiece, and provide an output of coefficients of a plurality of continuous polynomials descriptive of said cut for input into said control computer, comprising the steps of: a. providing the input of said computer with data containing the following: X points along the engraving cut, Y points along the engraving cut, Z points along the engraving cut, Alpha points along the engraving cut, wherein: X is the lateral motion of the tool substantially parallel to the face plane of the workpiece; Y is the motion of the tool perpendicular to X and substantially parallel to the face plane of the workpiece; Z is the depth motion of the tool substantially perpendicular to the face plane of the workpiece; and Alpha is the tilting motion of the tool about an axis passing through the cutting tip of the tool and substantially parallel to the face plane of the workpiece: b. computing the string length (un) along the cut as determined by the X and Y points in accordance with the following formula:

Claim 16

A method of simulating a preselected hand-engraved pattern in a workpiece by automatic means, comprising the steps of: a. expressing the preselected hand-engraved pattern in terms of numerical indicia as input into a digital control computer; b. introducing the numerical indicia to the input of said digital control computer; c. directing said digital control computer by means of a control program based upon said numerical indicia to control an engraving machine having a power driven reciprocating engraving tool and a plurality of axis motors positioning the movements of the engraving tool operative on a workpiece simulative of the motions of a handheld tool operative on a workpiece wherein a digital computer is programmed to process an input containing coded digital information descriptive of a cut of an engraving pattern made by an engraving tool having a cutting tip making said cut in the face plane of a substantially flat workpiece, and provide an output of coefficients of a plurality of continuous polynomials descriptive of said cut for input into said control computer, comprising the steps of: a. providing the input of said computer with data containing the following: X points along the engraving cut, Y points along the engraving cut, Z points along the engraving cut, Alpha points along the engraving cut, wherein: X is the lateral motion of the tool substantially parallel to the face plane of the workpiece; Y is the motion of the tool perpendicular to X and substantially parallel to the face plane of the workpiece; Z is the depth motion of the tool substantially perpendicular to the face plane of the workpiece; and Alpha is the tilting motion of the tool about an axis passing through the cutting tip of the tool and substantially parallel to the face plane of the workpiece: b. computing the string length (un) along the cut as determined by the X and Y points in accordance with the following formula:

Claim 24

A method of simulating a preselected hand-engraved pattern in a workpiece by automatic means, comprising the steps of: a. expressing the preselected hand-engraved pattern in terms of numerical indicia as input into a digital control computer; b. introducing the numerical indicia to the input of said digital control computer; and c. directing said digital control computer by means of a control program based upon said numerical indicia to control an engraving machine having a power driven reciprocating engraving tool and a plurality of axis motors positioning the movements of the engraving tool operative on a workpiece simulative of the motions of a handheld tool operative on a workpiece wherein a digital computer is programmed to process an input containing coded digital information descriptive of a cut of an engraving pattern made by an engraving tool having a cutting tip making said cut in a substantially cylindrically shaped surface of a workpiece created by a generating element and provide an output of coefficients of a plurality of continuous polynomials descriptive of said cut for input into said control computer, comprising the steps of: a. providing the input of said computer with data containing the following: X points along the engraving cut, Yr points along the engraving cut, Z points along the engraving cut, Alpha points along the engraving cut, wherein: X is the lateral motion of the tool substantially parallel to the generating element of said surface; Yr is the motion of the tool substantially parallel to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the too, and substaNtially perpendicular to the generating element of said surface; Z is the depth motion of the tool substantially perpendicular to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the tool; Alpha is the tilting motion of the tool about an axis passing through the cutting tip of the tool and substantially parallel to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the tool; b. computing the string length (un) along the cut as determined by the X and Yr points in accordance with the following formula:

Claim 25

A method of simulating a preselected hand-engraved pattern in a workpiece by automatic means, comprising the steps of: a. expressing the preselected hand-engraved pattern in terms of numerical indicia as input into a digital control computer; b. introducing the numerical indicia to the input of said digital control computer; and c. directing said digital control computer by means of a control program based upon said numerical indicia to control an engraving machine having a power driven reciprocating engraving tool and a plurality of axis motors positioning the movements of the engraving tool operative on a workpiece simulative of the motions of a handheld tool operative on a workpiece wherein a digital computer is programmed to process an input containing coded digital information descriptive of a cut of an engraving pattern made by an engraving tool having a cutting tip making said cut in a substantially cylindrically shaped surface of a workpiece created by a generating element and provide an output of coefficients of a plurality of continuous polynomials descriptive of said cut for input into said control computer, comprising the steps of: a. providing the input of said computer with data containing the following: X points along the engraving cut, Yr points along the engraving cut, Z points along the engraving cut, Alpha points along the engraving cut, wherein: X is the lateral motion of the tool substantially parallel to the generating element of said surface; Yr is the motion of the tool substantially parallel to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the too, and substaNtially perpendicular to the generating element of said surface; Z is the depth motion of the tool substantially perpendicular to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the tool; Alpha is the tilting motion of the tool about an axis passing through the cutting tip of the tool and substantially parallel to the plane tangent to the curved surface of the workpiece at the cutting tip of the tool; b. computing the string length (un) along the cut as determined by the X and Yr points in accordance with the following formula: