US4507738A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Numerical control method
Assignee: Fanuc Corp
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Filing: 1982-10-08
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Granted: 1985-03-26
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Expires: 2002-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A numerical control method for moving a tool along a commanded curve on a curved surface, which includes entering the curved surface defined by data representing a mathematical expression or by a group of numerical data, entering numerical control data specifying a projected curve obtained by projecting the commanded curve onto a predetermined plane, successively finding positional coordinates on the commanded curve through use of the curved surface data and numerical control data specifying the projected curve, and controlling the position of the tool on the basis of the positional coordinates.
Inventors
- 👤 Ryoichiro Nozawa
- 👤 Hideaki Kawamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:09
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/41; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/49; G05B2219/49239
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A numerical control method for moving a tool along a commanded curve on a curved surface, comprising the steps of: entering the curved surface defined by one of data representing a mathematical expression and a group of numerical data; entering numerical control data specifying a projected curve obtained by projecting the commanded curve onto a predetermined plane; finding positional coordinates successively on the commanded curve through use of the curved surface data and numerical control data specifying the projected curve; and controlling the position of the tool on the basis of said positional coordinates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A numerical control method for moving a tool along a commanded curve on a curved surface, comprising the steps of: entering the curved surface defined by one of data representing a mathematical expression and a group of numerical data; entering numerical control data specifying a projected curve obtained by projecting the commanded curve onto a predetermined plane; finding positional coordinates successively on the commanded curve through use of the curved surface data and numerical control data specifying the projected curve; and controlling the position of the tool on the basis of said positional coordinates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
A numerical control method according to claim 1, wherein said step of finding the positional coordinates on the commanded curve comprises the steps of: performing a pulse distribution operation based on the numerical control data specifying the projected curve; finding positional coordinates successively on the plane of projection by adding up distributed pulses obtained as a result of the pulse distribution operation; and finding positional coordinates successively on the commanded curve based on the data defining the curved surface and on each of the positional coordinates on the plane of projection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A numerical control method according to claim 2, wherein the projected curve is approximated by a multiplicity of straight line segments, one block of numerical control data is created for each straight line segment, and positional coordinates are found on the commanded curve each time a pulse distribution operation based on one block of the numerical control data is completed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A numerical control method according to claim 2, wherein positional coordinates are found on the commanded curve at regular time intervals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A numerical control method according to claim 1, wherein the projected curve is approximated by a multiplicity of straight line segments, and one block of numerical control data is created for each straight line segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
A numerical control method according to claim 1, wherein said step of finding positional coordinates on the commanded curve includes the steps of: finding the positional coordinates of an end point in a block of data using the numerical control data, which end point lies on the projected curve; and finding positional coordinates on the commanded curve based on the positional coordinates of said end point and the data defining the curved surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A numerical control method according to claim 1, further comprising: finding an incremental value along each of a plurality of axes using the positional coordinates on the commanded curve; performing a pulse distribution operation on the basis of said incremental value; and moving the tool along the commanded curve in dependence upon the distributed pulses obtained as a result of the pulse distribution operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
A numerical control method according to claim 2, further comprising: finding an incremental value along each of a plurality of axes using the positional coordinates on the commanded curve; performing a pulse distribution operation on the basis of said incremental value; and moving the tool along the commanded curve in dependence upon the distributed pulses obtained as a result of the pulse distribution operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-25 | 1988-09-24 | 1989-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-25 | 1992-09-24 | 1993-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-25 | 1996-09-24 | 1997-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |