Patent · US Expired

Machining apparatus with automatic restart function

US5293024A · kind A · utility

964Cited by
2References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 1, 1992
Grant dateMar 8, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 1, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K26/702
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A laser cutting apparatus which allows cutting to be automatically restarted or redone without intervention from an operator once a cutting error or fault occurs. In a first embodiment, when the fault occurs the apparatus discontinues processing on the product corresponding to the fault. Thereafter, it moves to, and restarts cutting at, a starting position of the next product to be cut. In a second embodiment, the apparatus corrects a fault and continues cutting on the product corresponding to the fault by restarting cutting at the fault point. It determines whether a restart is possible at the point of the fault based on the type or definition of the fault. If a predetermined number of restarts are attempted at the point of fault without a successful restart, then the apparatus moves to a new start position. In another embodiment, the apparatus uses a profile sensor to prevent machine damage by sensing the position of the cutting head relative to the workpiece.

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