IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,993,412
Granted Patent B2
US 6,993,412 · App. 10/454,369 · Granted Jan 31, 2006

Method for controlling an industrial processing machine

Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,993,412
App. No.
10/454,369
Granted
Jan 31, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and system for describing a three-dimensional path of an industrial processing machine, such as a machine tool, a robot and the like, is disclosed. According to the disclosed method and system, the path is described by a curve that includes at least one interpolation, wherein at least one interpolation parameter is a function of an angle along the three-dimensional path.

Claims (20)

1. A method for controlling an industrial processing machine, comprising the steps of:

defining a contour of a workpiece to be machined in a coordinate system;

defining at least one continuous three-dimensional machining path in a cylindrical coordinate system, the cylindrical coordinates being a rotation angle of a tool relative to the workpiece, a feed distance of a tool relative to the workpiece, and a distance of the tool from the origin of the coordinate system;

performing at least one interpolation along the continuous three-dimensional machining path; and

guiding a movement of the workpiece or tool, or both, along the interpolated continuous three-dimensional machining path,

wherein the at least one interpolation along the continuous three-dimensional machining path is a function of the rotation angle.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interpolation is performed by using at least one polynomial function.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the interpolation is performed by using at least one spline function.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional machining path defines an eccentric contour of a workpiece.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional machining path defines a freeform surface of a workpiece.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional machining path defines a guided movement of at least one moving body.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the movement is guided so that the workpiece and the tool move relative to each other.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing machine is a turning machine.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the three-dimensional machining path comprises a plurality of path segments and the interpolation is performed at connecting points between adjacent path segments.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein at the connecting points, at least one of a slope or a curvature of the adjacent path segments is continuous.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing machine is selected from the group consisting of robot, lathe, milling machine, grinder, sander, planer, and painting machine.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the coordinate system is a Cartesian coordinate system.

13. A processing machine with a tool for machining a workpiece, said processing machine comprising a controller that defines, based on a defined contour of a workpiece to be machined in a coordinate system, at least one continuous three-dimensional machining path in a cylindrical coordinate system, wherein the coordinates of the cylindrical coordinate system are a rotation angle of the tool relative to the workpiece, a feed distance of the tool relative to the workpiece, and a distance of the tool from the origin of the coordinate system; performs at least one interpolation along the continuous three-dimensional machining path; and guides a movement of the workpiece or tool, or both, along the interpolated continuous three-dimensional machining path, wherein the at least one interpolation along the continuous three-dimensional machining path is a function of the rotation angle.

14. The processing machine of claim 13 , wherein the processing machine is selected from the group consisting of robot, turning machine, lathe, milling machine, grinder, sander, planer and painting machine.

15. The processing machine of claim 13 , wherein.the coordinate system is a Cartesian coordinate system.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2003
From: UHLICH, ANDREAS
To: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Reel/Frame 014471/0685 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102 24 755 · Jun 4, 2002 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20040024487A1 · Feb 5, 2004