Path following machining method and apparatus

US9939800B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BAE SYSTEMS PLC · GB

Inventors

• Jonathan Michael Carberry · Longridge, GB
• Austin James Cook · Longridge, GB
• David McMillan · West Newton, US
• Aron Derecichei · Los Angeles, US
• Craig Ashmore · Davisburg, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 30, 2015
• Grant date: Apr 10, 2018
• Expiry date: Apr 28, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P90/02
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for machining a workpiece (2). The method comprises specifying a path along which a cutting tool (6) is moved during machining the workpiece (2), the path comprising segments (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit point on that segment (26); defining, for each segment (26), an exit path (38) from the exit point of that segment (26) to a point remote from the workpiece (2); performing a machining process including moving the cutting tool (6) along the tool path and machining the workpiece (2); and, during the machining process, when one or more criteria are satisfied: interrupting the machining process and, without machining the workpiece (2), moving the cutting tool (6) to the exit point of the current segment (26) and then along the exit path (38) of the current segment (26).