Patent ID: 6112133
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: G05B,Y02P,Y10S

Abstract:
A visual system for generating a CNC program to machine a part having planar and curvilinear surfaces and surfaces of revolution, comprising:a graphical user interface for inputting part information for defining a plurality of faces, each face corresponding to a surface of the part defined by the tool and work piece orientation, boundary, and type of machining function and being displayed in a separate computer window;a graphical user interface for inputting part information for defining a set of features associated with each of the plurality of faces;a graphical user interface for inputting part information for defining a set of machining operations and cutting tools associated with each element of th set of features;a datastore memory element, in communication with the graphical user interface, that maintains a datastore for storing the part information;a process optimization module, in communication with the datastore memory element, for receiving the part information, the process optimization module including a memory element for maintaining a materials machineability database for selecting operational parameters for the set of machining operations and cutting tools and thereafter selectively ordering the set of machining operations; andcode generation module, in communication with the process optimization module, that receives the ordered set of machining operations, the code generation module including a configuration graphical user interface subsystem for creating a configuration file and thereafter using the configuration file to convert the ordered set of machine operations into a CNC program for machining the part.