Patent ID: 6904394
Filing Date: 2005-06-07
Classification: G05B,G16Z,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of integrating a computer modeling process in which a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine is used for manufacture, the CNC machine having a CNC controller with Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) interpolation capabilities, the method comprising: receiving a computer aided drawing (CAD) data file; generating a NURBS based three-dimensional (3-D) geometric model of a product model defined by the CAD data file; receiving a size and dimension of a blank in which a product is to be formed; generating a NURBS based 3-D geometric model of the blank; performing an algebraic iterative process between the NURBS based 3-D geometric model of the blank and the NURBS based 3-D geometric model of the product model until an optimal orientation is ascertained and pre-defined tolerance levels are reached; calculating an optimal blank material size and shape to ensure effective use of material; performing a boolean subtraction that subtracts the NURBS based 3-D geometric model of the blank from the NURBS based 3-D geometric model of the product model such that a NURBS based 3-D geometric definition of a material to be removed from the blank is formed; performing a simulation of a product manufacture to confirm waste minimization and strength optimization prior to releasing NURBS based instruction codes to the CNC machine; and cutting alone a path defined by the NURBS based 3-D geometric definition of the material to be removed from the blank and using a pre-configured database to automatically select a tool appropriate for cutting along the path.