Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for automated machining of objects of complex and unique geometry

US5121334A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
15References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 8, 1989
Grant dateJun 9, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 8, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S715/964
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the automated machining of three dimensional objects of complex and unique geometry. A computer acquires data describing an object and its surroundings and then guides a milling machine in the fabrication of the reproduction. The present invention discloses a method for preventing tool paths generated in a computer from erroneously intersecting with surface patches representing an object to be machined. The present invention also discloses methods for optimizing tool path step lengths, machine tool commands, and tool path scallop heights. In addition, the present invention discloses a method for fixturing a workpiece material to be shaped into a reproduction of a object.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.