Patent ID: 7526359
Filing Date: 2009-04-28
Classification: G05B,G06F,G06T,Y02P

Abstract:
1. In a computer system having a computer screen, a method of horizontally structured CAD/CAM manufacturing for presentation of a model on the computer screen, the method comprising: selecting a blank for presentation on the computer screen for machining into an actual part; establishing a 3-D coordinate system on the computer screen, using a set of three references, wherein the set of three references includes datum planes, and wherein the datum planes are base datums, wherein creating the set of three references is in accordance with an existing work coordinate system that is one of an arbitrary reference coordinate system and an arbitrary measurement system; creating a plurality of process bodies in a master process model file having a data structure including: wherein said virtual blank and said new virtual blank are stored in the master process model file; and virtual machining of each machining feature of said plurality of machining features into at least one of said virtual blank and said new virtual blank, said each machining feature exhibiting an associative relationship with said coordinate system, generating machining instructions to create said actual part by machining said plurality of machining features into at least one of said virtual blank and said new virtual blank.