Custom-fit versions of knitted articles are produced according to digital representations of objects for which the articles are to be manufactured. The digital representations, optionally augmented by surface fitting algorithms, allow for accurate scaling of pattern-specified stitch counts for pattern elements representing the article taking into account wales and courses densities for the material(s) from which the article is to be made. Displayed dimensionally-accurate representations of the custom-fit articles allow for user-specified style and fit preferences to be made and a final digital pattern of the article to be produced. Machine instructions representing pattern pieces to be knitted are automatically produced from the final digital pattern of the article for a target computerized knitting machine and the custom-fit article then manufactured according to the machine instructions.

Systems and methods for measuring air gaps between opposing surfaces of two structural components. In one application, such measurements are used to fabricate a shim that fills the air gap between two structural members, such as parts of an aircraft. The resonant inductive coupling-based sensing system has the capability to remotely measure an air gap using an on-board transmit system. Furthermore, the system has the capability to switch between multiple inductor-capacitor sets such as to simultaneously measure air gaps across an area so that a better profile of the air gap can be determined. The resonant inductive coupling-based gap sensor is configured as signal generating and signal sensing electronics printed or mounted on respective flexible substrates to provide a flexible and portable measurement solution.

A method of manufacturing a plurality of parts receives cutting instructions to produce a part based on a nominal model of the part. After cutting a given part, the method measures at least one particular feature of the given part with a coordinate measuring machine and subsequently calculates an error of the given part by determining an initial deviation between the cutting instructions and the nominal model. The cutting instructions are then adjusted based on the error to obtain updated cutting instructions, where the updated cutting instructions have a reduced deviation from the initial deviation with regard to the nominal model. The method then uses the updated cutting instructions to produce another part having a reduced error deviation from the nominal model.

A 3D printer includes a holding area holding material to be used to produce a part and at least one component for producing the part through layer-wise additive manufacturing. A data storage device in the 3D printer stores instructions for generating build parameter values, the instructions including empirically derived data, relationships, and/or equations. A processor in the 3D printer receives values for a public build parameter set and a category for the material wherein the category represents multiple different materials. The processor executes instructions to determine values for a private build parameter set that vary based on the properties of the material. The values for the private build parameter set are determined from the received values for the public build parameter set and the received category. The processor then uses the received values for the public build parameter set and the values for the private build parameter set to build the part.

A method for computer numerically controlled processing may include generating a user interface to enable the configuration of an edge treatment. The user interface may also be generated to enable the configuration of a design corresponding to a combination of the first object and the second object generated by applying one of a plurality of Boolean operation. A computer numerically controlled machine may be configured to deliver an electromagnetic energy in order to effect, in a material, one or more changes corresponding to the edge treatment and/or the design configured by the user. For example, the one or more changes corresponding to the edge treatment may include a variable depth engraving along at least a portion of a perimeter of a material.

An NC device, which is a numerical control device, includes: a program analyzing unit that analyzes a machining program to obtain a movement path along which to move a supply position of a material on a workpiece; a storage temperature extracting unit that extracts, from data on surface temperature of the workpiece, storage temperature in an area including the movement path on the workpiece; a layering volume calculating unit that calculates a volume of a layer forming an object on the basis of a relation between the storage temperature and a volume of the material that solidifies at the storage temperature in a given time; and a layering shape changing unit that changes a shape of the layer on the basis of the volume of the layer.

A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for monitoring and controlling a machining process of parts. Data as to dimensions of produced parts are gathered during a production process. The parts are produced based on part control plan. The data of the dimensions are plotted as to statistical information related to a distribution curve. Determination is made if a trend in the dimensional data approaches an upper control limit and a lower control limit. Corrective action is taken if the trend approaches either the upper control limit or the lower control limit.

An example method includes obtaining, by at least one processor, a plurality of categorised indications of deviations from expected dimensions for at least one object generated using an additive manufacturing apparatus wherein the categories comprise at least two of a first dimension type comprising dimensions which are expected to increase on application of a positive offset to object model data used to generate an object, a second dimension type comprising dimensions which are expected to decrease on application of a positive offset to the object to object model data used to generate an object, and a third dimension type comprising dimensions which are expected to be unaffected by application of an offset to object model data used to generate an object. The method may include determining a geometrical compensation model to apply to object model data for generating objects using additive manufacturing to compensate for anticipated deviations in dimensions.

In an example, a method includes obtaining an indication of a deviation from an expected dimension of at least one dimension of an object generated using an additive manufacturing apparatus. A geometrical compensation model to apply to object model data for generating objects using additive manufacturing to compensate for anticipated deviations in dimensions may be determined from the obtained indication. The geometrical compensation model may comprise a first value to apply to object model data to modify a specification of an external dimension; and a second, different, value to apply to object model data to modify a specification of an internal dimension.

The present invention automatically switches edges of a multi-edge tool. This numerical value control device controls a machine tool in which a multi-edge tool for turning is used to turn a workpiece, and said numerical value control device comprises: an NC command decoder unit that decodes a command of a processing program; a storage unit that stores tool information and edge information pertaining to the multi-edge tool; a tool information generation unit that generates geometric information pertaining to the multi-edge tool on the basis of the tool information and the edge information. The NC command decoder unit comprises: a tool path generation unit that calculates the tool path from the command of the processing program; an edge switching determination unit that determines whether or not the edge of the multi-edge tool needs to be switched; an edge switching path generation unit that calculates, when it has been determined that the edge needs to be switched, an edge switching path including a retreating path for switching the edge, the rotation direction and rotation amount of the multi-edge tool, and a returning path; and a tool path regeneration unit that binds the edge switching path to the tool path.