A machine integrated positioning system shows an operator where to place a raw part in the press brake or other machinery. Further, the operator is informed if the dimensions associated with the raw part are, or are not, correct to produce the planned finished part. The operator is visually shown how the raw part is to be oriented. The operator is informed if the raw part is right-side-up, along with other pre-final placement information. If these and other conditions are not met, the machine integrated positioning system may prevent the press brake and other machinery from cycling.

A computerized method and apparatus for high pressure grit or sand blasting comprises an upright cabinet through which work pieces, supported by a roller conveyor, can be disposed for blasting. An elongated actuator assembly horizontally extending across the enclosure interior comprises a pair of rigid, spaced-apart, rails upon which a displaceable carriage can move. The carriage supports a sand blasting head and nozzle. An internal tape within the actuator assembly moves the carriage. Tape condition is monitored by software in response to a magnetic sender driven by the tape idler pulley and an adjacent Hall effect sensor that picks up timed pulses. The actuator assembly is braced by buffer wheel assemblies at each end, in contact with vertical guide rails at each cabinet interior end. The hose-fed sand blasting head secured to the carriage directs sand or towards a target work piece be processed. The actuator assembly is vertically displaceable via cables controlled by an overhead servo motor, so that the sand blasting nozzle may be displaced in both horizontal and vertical. A programmable logic controller, armed with suitable software, provides operator menus for initiating various steps used in setup options, executing blast functions, moving the carriage blasting.

The invention relates to a method (100) for orientation of a workpiece (20) to be processed, comprising the steps of: a) providing a processing path (27) fixed on the workpiece for processing the workpiece (20); b) selecting a rigid transformation (30) of the positioning of the workpiece (20); c) simulating the processing path (27) taking account of the rigid transformation (30) of the positioning of the workpiece (20); d) determining at least one process variable (40) of the machining of the workpiece (20); wherein the steps b) to d) are repeated by modifying the at least one rigid transformation (30) of the positioning of the workpiece (20) until the at least one process variable (40) reaches a target value (43).

Example implementations may relate to providing a dynamic jig in a three-dimensional (3D) coordinate system. Specifically, a control system may (i) receive task data specifying a manipulation of one or more parts at a specified location; (ii) determine: (a) one or more work surfaces and (b) a first position of each of the one or more work surfaces, such that the one or more work surfaces collectively provide a jig to facilitate the specified manipulation of the parts; (iii) a plurality of guide end effectors that are positionable by one or more robotic devices such that the end effectors provide the work surfaces at the respectively determined first positions; and (iv) operate the one or more robotic devices to position the guide end effectors to provide the one or more work surfaces at the respectively determined first positions, thereby forming the jig from the one or more work surfaces.

The invention relates to a method (100) for orientation of a workpiece (20) to be processed, comprising the steps of: a) providing a processing path (27) fixed on the workpiece for processing the workpiece (20); b) selecting a rigid transformation (30) of the positioning of the workpiece (20); c) simulating the processing path (27) taking account of the rigid transformation (30) of the positioning of the workpiece (20); d) determining at least one process variable (40) of the machining of the workpiece (20); wherein the steps b) to d) are repeated by modifying the at least one rigid transformation (30) of the positioning of the workpiece (20) until the at least one process variable (40) reaches a target value (43).

A computerized method and apparatus for high pressure grit or sand blasting comprises an upright cabinet through which work pieces, supported by a roller conveyor, can be disposed for blasting. An elongated actuator assembly horizontally extending across the enclosure interior comprises a pair of rigid, spaced-apart, rails upon which a displaceable carriage can move. The carriage supports a sand blasting head and nozzle. An internal tape within the actuator assembly moves the carriage. Tape condition is monitored by software in response to a magnetic sender driven by the tape idler pulley and an adjacent Hall effect sensor that picks up timed pulses. The actuator assembly is braced by buffer wheel assemblies at each end, in contact with vertical guide rails at each cabinet interior end. The hose-fed sand blasting head secured to the carriage directs sand or towards a target work piece be processed. The actuator assembly is vertically displaceable via cables controlled by an overhead servo motor, so that the sand blasting nozzle may be displaced in both horizontal and vertical. A programmable logic controller, armed with suitable software, provides operator menus for initiating various steps used in setup options, executing blast functions, moving the carriage blasting.

A calibration area has a rectangular area and a peripheral area. The rectangular area includes a center area provided in the center portion and a first corner area, a second corner area, a third corner area, and a fourth corner area that are set at four corners sequentially in the circumferential direction. The center area has a line symmetry with respect to each of the two orthogonal axes passing through the center of the rectangular area. The heights of the areas are different.

An apparatus to assist a machinist in the setup of a remote computer controlled machine tool table has an X-axis electronic gauge block assembly, a Y-axis electronic gauge block assembly, and a Z-axis electronic gauge block assembly each positioned on the machine tool table, to respectively collect X-axis probe position values, Y-axis probe position values, and Z-axis probe position values. Environmental sensors collect environmental values. An electronics processing system establishes a raw X-axis probe position, a raw Y-axis probe position, and a raw Z-axis probe position. A wireless interface transmits the environmental values, the raw X-axis probe position value, the raw Y-axis probe position value, and the raw Z-axis probe position value to the remote computer and receives from the remote computer refined probe position values to assist the machinist in the setup of the machine tool table.

The present invention is a positioning work stop for use with a machine tool for and having a signaling means that operates as a placement indicator effective for providing a signal if the work piece to be machined is in its proper position for machining or for signaling if the work piece has shifted out of position for machining. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the positioning work stop comprises a stop member having a stop surface, a switch element, a signaling means, and a power supply that are electrically coupled such that the signaling means activates when the work piece is in its proper position for manufacturing and for signaling if the work piece has shifted out of position for machining.

A control device (2), for a medical apparatus, having at least one sensor (5) for three dimensionally detecting an object (8) which is configured to render graspable a vector (10) for a direction by its alignment is provided, wherein the object (8) is directed to a target area, and the vector (10) generates an intersection point with a surface of the target area. The control device (2) is adapted to recognize in which target area the intersection point is located and to actuate a predefined action for the target area by the medical apparatus.