US3963364A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tool control system and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-14
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Granted: 1976-06-15
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Expires: 1994-06-14
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method are provided for controlling automatic machines such as a metal cutting tool to perform predetermined operations on a work-piece. Different means are provided for sensing the workpiece as to shape, diameter or length to determine the degree of its adjustment or wear. An inspection device or probe is provided with a transducing means operable to generate signals which are indicative of workpiece dimensions and or location. The signals are analyzed by means of computing circuits which generate control signals for performing such functions such as cycle starting, correction of tool adjustment and varying the control program to permit the performance of predetermined operations on the work by the tool.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome H. Lemelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:56
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23Q; B23Q17/00; B23Q17/09; B23Q17/0904; B23Q17/0909; B23B; B23B49/00; B23B49/001; B23P; B23P25/00; B23P25/003; B23P25/006; G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/401; G05B19/404; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/35; G05B2219/35554; G05B2219/36; G05B2219/36503; G05B2219/36504; G05B2219/37; G05B2219/37032; G05B2219/37228; G05B2219/37245; G05B2219/37345; G05B2219/37351; G05B2219/37357; G05B2219/37405; G05B2219/37409; G05B2219/37415; G05B2219/37417; G05B2219/37418; G05B2219/37559; G05B2219/40; G05B2219/40383; G05B2219/49; G05B2219/49134; G05B2219/49302; G05B2219/50; G05B2219/50031; G05B2219/50063; G05B2219/50139; G05B2219/50145; G05B2219/50249; G05B2219/50294; G05B2219/50296; G05B2219/50315; G05B2219/50379; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T408/00; Y10T408/16; Y10T408/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of controlling a machine tool comprising: disposing a sensor in scanning relationship with a tool defining part of a production machine wherein said tool part is operable to become varied in its configuration during its operation on a workpiece, effecting relative movement between said tool part and said sensor to permit said sensor to scan said tool part and to generate an output signal which is indicative of the configuration of said tool part, comparing said output signal derived in scanning said tool part with a reference signal representative of a desired tool configuration, generating a difference signal which is indicative of the difference between said sensor output signal and said reference signal and a variation in the configuration of said tool from a standard configuration, and applying said difference signal to control the operation of said tool whereby said tool predeterminately performs on said workpiece.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of controlling a machine tool comprising: disposing a sensor in scanning relationship with a tool defining part of a production machine wherein said tool part is operable to become varied in its configuration during its operation on a workpiece, effecting relative movement between said tool part and said sensor to permit said sensor to scan said tool part and to generate an output signal which is indicative of the configuration of said tool part, comparing said output signal derived in scanning said tool part with a reference signal representative of a desired tool configuration, generating a difference signal which is indicative of the difference between said sensor output signal and said reference signal and a variation in the configuration of said tool from a standard configuration, and applying said difference signal to control the operation of said tool whereby said tool predeterminately performs on said workpiece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said relative movement between said tool part and said sensor is effected while said tool performs an operation on said workpiece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tool part includes a rotary cutting means and said sensor is operable to scan at least a portion of said rotary cutting means for generating said output signal indicative of the configuration thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said rotary cutting means of said tool includes at least one cutting edge subject to wear during the operation of said tool and said sensor is operable to scan said cutting edge and to generate output signals which are indicative of the condition of said cutting edge during the scanning operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein said sensor is operable to detect variations in the diameter of said rotary cutting means and to generate output signals which are indicative of said variations in diameter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
99 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tool part comprises a cutting means at the end thereof and wherein the length of said tool part which includes said cutting means may vary with wear or variations in the mounting thereof on said machine, said method including effecting relative movement between said sensor and the end of said tool part to permit said sensor to scan and detect variations in the length of said tool part and effect said variations in said output signal thereof which are representative of the variations in the length of said tool part.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
An automatic production machine for performing preprogrammed operations on work comprising in combination with a tool head and a spindle rotatably supported by said tool head, a cutting tool supported by said spindle and means for power rotating said spindle to permit said cutting tool to machine work which is predeterminately positioned with respect to said production machine, an inspection transducer supported by said tool head and operable to detect variations in the configuration of said tool as said cutting tool rotates and operates on work, means for generating signals on the output of said transducer, means for receiving said signals generated by said transducer and means for utilizing said received signals for controlling the operation of said tool on said work.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
122 words
An automatic production machine for performing preprogrammed operations on work comprising in combination with a tool head and a spindle rotatably supported by said tool head, a cutting tool supported by said spindle and means for power rotating said spindle to permit said cutting tool to machine work which is predeterminately positioned with respect to said production machine, an inspection transducer supported by said tool head and operable to detect variations in the configuration of said tool as said cutting tool rotates and operates on work, means for generating signals on the output of said transducer, means for receiving said signals generated by said transducer and means for utilizing said received signals for controlling the operation of said tool on said work.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
An automatic production machine in accordance with claim 7 wherein said transducer comprises a radiation generating means operable to generate and direct scanning radiation in the direction of said cutting tool and means supported by said tool head for receiving said scanning radiation after it has been modulated by said cutting tool and for converting said received radiation to electrical signals indicative of the condition of said cutting tool.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An automatic production machine in accordance with claim 7 wherein said transducer includes means for generating and transmitting vibrational energy through said spindle and said cutting tool.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
An automatic production machine in accordance with claim 9 wherein said means for generating vibrational energy is operable to generate vibrations in said tool of sufficient intensity to enhance the cutting action of said cutting tool.
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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) | 1979-06-15 | 1979-12-15 | 1980-06-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-15 | 1983-12-15 | 1984-06-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-15 | 1987-12-15 | 1988-06-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |