In various embodiments, a dynamically directed workpiece positioning system may include a transport, a sensor positioned to detect a workpiece on the transport, a cutting member positioned along or downstream of the transport, and a computer system. The sensor may scan the workpiece as the workpiece is moved relative to the transport by a human operator or a positioning device. Based on the scan data, the computer system may generate commands to guide the human operator or positioning device in moving the workpiece to a desired position corresponding to a cut solution for the workpiece. Optionally, the computer system may cause the cutting member to be repositioned while the workpiece is being moved relative to the transport. Once the workpiece is in the desired position, the transport may be used to move the workpiece toward the cutting member. Corresponding methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

A tool path generating device for generating a machining program is provided with a determining unit which determines whether or not the effective cutting length of a tool would be insufficient if machining were performed using a first tool path, and an estimating unit which estimates a section of insufficiency, being the section in which the effective cutting length of the tool is insufficient. The tool path generating device is provided with a post-move travel path generating unit which generates a post-move tool path in which the path corresponding to the section of insufficiency has been moved relative to the first tool path to a path whereby the section of insufficiency can be machined using the section of the tool within the effective cutting length, and an auxiliary path generating unit which generates an auxiliary tool path for machining the uncut section remaining in the workpiece.

A tool path generating device (20) which generates a tool path (L1) for machining a hairline-shaped long narrow groove (Wa) of on a workpiece surface (W0), includes a shape data acquisition part which acquires shape data of a workpiece, a parameter setting part (23) which sets a shape parameter of a hairline corresponding to the long narrow groove (Wa), and a path generating part (24) which generates a tool path (L1) for a hairline machining, based on the shape data acquired by the data acquisition part and the shape parameter set by the parameter setting part (23).

In various embodiments, a dynamically directed workpiece positioning system may include a transport, a sensor positioned to detect a workpiece on the transport, a cutting member positioned along or downstream of the transport, and a computer system. The sensor may scan the workpiece as the workpiece is moved relative to the transport by a human operator or a positioning device. Based on the scan data, the computer system may generate commands to guide the human operator or positioning device in moving the workpiece to a desired position corresponding to a cut solution for the workpiece. Optionally, the computer system may cause the cutting member to be repositioned while the workpiece is being moved relative to the transport. Once the workpiece is in the desired position, the transport may be used to move the workpiece toward the cutting member. Corresponding methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

This disclosure concerns a method for selecting a tool-path strategy in a material processing operation. The geometry of a work piece (34) and the contact patch (36) of a tool are determined and used to define a tool-path boundary (30,32). A number of different possible tool-paths (38,40,46) are then simulated within the tool-path boundary (30) and the most preferred tool-path (38,40,46) is selected based on predefined requirements.

A method for generating tool paths across a surface of a computer aided design (CAD) model having a complex shape. The method includes defining at least one reference point on the surface of the CAD model, generating a plurality of substantially equi-spaced reference points across the surface of the CAD model; connecting each of the reference points together with straight lines such that a first tool path is formed by a culmination of the straight lines; generating a second tool path across the surface of the CAD model; and, generating a plurality of intermediate tool paths that extend linearly between the first tool path and second tool path across the surface of a CAD model.

An automated computer-implemented method for generating commands for controlling a computer numerically controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the method including the steps of selecting a maximum permitted engagement angle between a rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, selecting a minimum permitted engagement angle between the rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, and configuring a tool path for the tool relative to the workpiece in which the engagement angle gradually varies between the maximum permitted engagement angle and the minimum permitted engagement angle.

This tool path generating method, which generates a tool path for machining a corner section at which a recess section machined in a workpiece intersects with the outer circumferential surface of the workpiece, includes: a step for calculating a virtual traveling direction, which is a movement direction of a point on the rotational axis line of a rotating tool when the recess section is machined; a step for calculating the position of the corner section from the virtual traveling direction and shape data of the workpiece; and a step for generating a tool path for machining along the calculated position of the corner section.

Methods, systems, and devices for determining a positioning movement of a cutting tool based on a received virtual model, a determined start position and a determined end position, and a set of objects of a machining setup, where the set of objects may represent a current state of the set of objects. Optionally, the determining of the positioning movement may be based on user input parameters.

This program creation device comprises an operation command adjustment unit that adjusts an operation command in a machine operation program, on the basis of changes in the posture of a section to be controlled in a machine, such changes being per unit of distance or unit of time with respect to the movement path of the section to be controlled.