Patent GB-1468075-A (GB)
Title: Path generating apparatus and method particularly for generating a two-lobed epitrochoid contour
IPC: G05B19/4103
Filed: 1974-07-25
Abstract: 1468075 Contouring H CUTLER 25 July 1974 [26 July 1973] 32909/74 Heading G3N In the generation of axis pulses representing a two lobed epitrochoid contour, Fig. 2, to be followed by a tool, the movements represented by the respective axis pulse outputs of circle generators 40, { of movement in a base circle of radius 3b/2 } and 42 { of movement in a circle of radius a } are so co-ordinated, the latter movement having an angular displacement at each moment three times that of the base circle movement, that the co-ordinated movement represented by the axis pulse trains, and being the locus of the point P Fig. 2, generates the contour. The angular correlation ensures that P can be regarded as located on a given radius of a circle CG Fig. 2, of radius b/2 rolling on a circle CB of radius b. The contour may be generated by the cutting surface of a tool { milling cutter or grinding wheel } , in which case a further circle generator 44 provides output pulse trains, which are combined with the contour pulses to provide pulse trains, #X c , #Y c , representing the tool centre motion required to generate the contour, and fed to axis servosystems. Circle coordinator 46 receives co-ordinates X 1 , Y 1  ; X 2 , Y 2  and increments X 1 , Y 1 ; X 2 , Y 2  of the circular motions from generators 40, 42, and, by balancing weighted increments of the motions in disclosed manner, ensures that the required ratio 3:1 of the respective angular displacements is maintained, by controlling the emission of feed pulses FP 2  to the generator 42, the feed pulses FP 1  for generator 40 being provided by vector velocity control 50; receiving feedrate data from program store 4 and the co-ordinates and increments X s , Y s , #X s , #Y s  defining the contour; at a pulse rate ensuring that the contour is traversed at the programmed feedrate IPM. Generator 52 provides data representing the tangent to the current position of the contour, and co-ordinator 54 of generator 44 ensures, by means of controlled provision of pulses FP 3 , that the displacement of the tool centre from the current contour position is normal to the contour {i.e. to the tangent }, the radius R3 corresponding to tool size and being adjustable following tool dressing. The contour is produced in a Wankel engine housing, and, by entering a tool size value less than the actual, the contour is correspondingly enlarged to allow for apex seals. Stock can be left for subsequent machining by entering a larger tool size than actual. Incremental pulses #X c , #Y c , generated by the cutter centre path generator 56 are fed to servosystems, Fig. 1 (not shown), moving a work holder supporting a plurality of housings in the Y direction, a corresponding plurality of tools on spindles being moved in the X direction. The programmed input data includes radii R 1  = 3b/2 R 2  = a, cutter or grinding wheel radius R 3 , feedrate IPM {subject to a 0-125% manual over-ride } , sense CCW or CW of contour generation, and the co-ordinate (Y I ), Fig. 6 (not shown) of a point of inflection of the contour, at which the rotational sense of the motion generated by generator 44 must be reversed. Data for wheel dressing, tool size monitoring, setting up of axes, tool entry and exit to and from the housing may be provided. There may be facility for displays, data being entered by buttons, keyboard, or via read-only memories. The apparatus may be applied to drafting, or inspection of the epitrochoid contour.