A method and apparatus for generating machining code of workpieces from a paper engineering drawing are provided. The method includes processing the paper engineering drawing to be a binary image; extracting dimension features and shape features of the workpieces from the binary image; and generating the machining codes of the workpieces based on the extracted dimension features and shape features of the workpieces. The machining codes indicate the dimension and shape of the workpieces. Machining codes of workpieces are generated from a paper engineering drawing directly without manual involvement.

A method for generating a numerical control program includes first-fourth steps. In the first step, elements related to the shape of a material are created on the basis of information related to the shape of the material. In the second step, processing is executed in which the elements related to the shape of the material which were created in the first step are read into areas to be subjected to processing in the third step. In the third step, a tool path is generated for each element read in the second step. In the fourth step, the tool paths generated for each element in the third step are connected.

An automatic operation system in which automatic operation control can be selectively exercised on a plurality of previously registered machining centers from a remotely located terminal via a cloud server is provided. The machining center automatic operating system includes: a cloud-side control unit that is provided in a cloud server connected to a CNC device of each machining center via a communication line, generates a machining command for each machine tool at an automatic machining command generation unit, and transmits the machining command to a corresponding CNC device; and one or more terminals that transmit inputted three-dimensional CAD design data of an intended machined product to the cloud-side control unit via the communication line and display information transmitted from the cloud-side control unit on a display unit. The cloud-side control unit includes a cloud-side storage unit holding a registration list of all the machining centers to be driven and controlled, tool information and a learned model of each machine tool. The automatic machining command generation unit applies features extracted from three-dimensional CAD design data to a corresponding learned model together with tool information, thereby automatically sets machining conditions required for cutting operation for each feature and a manufacturing process including a tool trajectory based on the machining conditions, and generates a machining command corresponding to a series of all the manufacturing processes set by determining an execution procedure based on the learned model. And the automatic machining command generation unit is provided with a function of, before the tool information is applied to the learned model, referring to the latest tool information stored in a corresponding CNC device-side storage unit and updating the tool information.

The numerical control device includes a G-code registration unit for registering associated information in which a uniquely customized custom G-code, one or more items set in the custom G-code, the type of the shape set for each of the items, and the type of extracted data extracted from the shape are associated, an associated information storage unit for storing the registered associated information, and a selected shape reception unit for receiving a shape selected by a user. The device also includes a data type acquisition unit for acquiring the type of the extracted data and the item corresponding to the selected shape, a setting data calculation unit for calculating setting data based on the selected shape, the acquired item, and the type of the extracted data, and an item data setting unit for setting, to the acquired item, the setting data calculated by the setting data calculation unit.

A method of manufacturing an aircraft part for an assembly includes creating a 3D geometry model for an aircraft part having surface features and holes represented by the 3D geometry model and sized to nominal dimensions. The method includes generating a NC machining program directly from the 3D geometry model, with instructions for a single NC machining apparatus to machine the aircraft part, and including instructions to machine the holes to nominal. And the method includes machining the aircraft part utilizing the NC machining program. For this, the NC machining apparatus utilizes a hole-forming tool set at substantially the nominal, instead of at a high or low side of a related hole-diameter tolerance range to allow for tight geometric dimensioning and tolerancing requirements, whereby the holes are machined to substantially the nominal. This method enables the full process capability of the CNC machines while utilizing inspection tolerances that are measureable.

A simulation apparatus 1 includes a touch panel 20, a display controller 11, a display screen data storage unit 12, an input control unit 13, an operation information storage unit 14, a model data storage 16, a simulation executor 15 and an NC program generator 17. The simulation executor 15 displays an image of a movable structure 12 to be operated on the touch panel 20, moves the image in accordance with a manual operation and checks occurrence of interference, and, in the case where interference occurs, stops the movement of the image and displays the occurrence of interference on the touch panel 20. Further, in the case where it is confirmed that no interference occurs, the NC program generator 17 generates an NC program based on manual operation information.

An action chart describing an operation of an automated manufacturing machine includes subperiods into which an operation period from a start to an end of the operation of the automated manufacturing machine is divided. The action chart includes element actions included in the operation of the automated manufacturing machine. The element actions on the action chart are assigned to the subperiods and each include an action identifier including qualitative information about the element action, and a numerical table or numerical parameters. The action chart is read. The action identifiers on the action chart are converted into program elements stored in a manner associated with the action identifiers. A numerical value in the numerical table or the numerical parameters is set for each program element. The program elements are combined together in an order of the subperiods on the action chart.

A method of manufacturing an aircraft part for an assembly includes creating a 3D geometry model for an aircraft part having surface features and holes represented by the 3D geometry model and sized to nominal dimensions. The method includes generating a NC machining program directly from the 3D geometry model, with instructions for a single NC machining apparatus to machine the aircraft part, and including instructions to machine the holes to nominal. And the method includes machining the aircraft part utilizing the NC machining program. For this, the NC machining apparatus utilizes a hole-forming tool set at substantially the nominal, instead of at a high or low side of a related hole-diameter tolerance range to allow for tight geometric dimensioning and tolerancing requirements, whereby the holes are machined to substantially the nominal. This method enables the full process capability of the CNC machines while utilizing inspection tolerances that are measureable.

Example systems and methods allow for use of a graphical interface to cause one or more robotic devices to construct an output product. One example method includes causing a graphical interface to be displayed on a display device, receiving input data corresponding to one or more interactions with the graphical interface indicating at least one motion path and at least one sequence of tool actions to execute at one or more points within the at least one motion path for use in construction of an output product, generating a plurality of digital nodes including at least one robot node, at least one motion command node, and at least one tool command node, and providing instructions for the at least one robot actor to move according to the sequence of robot motion commands determined by the at least one motion command node and execute the sequence of tool commands determined by the at least one tool command node to construct the output product.

Example systems and methods allow for use of a graphical interface to cause one or more robotic devices to construct an output product. One example method includes causing a graphical interface to be displayed on a display device, receiving input data corresponding to one or more interactions with the graphical interface indicating at least one motion path and at least one sequence of tool actions to execute at one or more points within the at least one motion path for use in construction of an output product, generating a plurality of digital nodes including at least one robot node, at least one motion command node, and at least one tool command node, and providing instructions for the at least one robot actor to move according to the sequence of robot motion commands determined by the at least one motion command node and execute the sequence of tool commands determined by the at least one tool command node to construct the output product.