An execution plan segment of an execution plan can be received at a control unit of a computer numerically controlled machine from a general purpose computer. The execution plan segment can define operations for causing movement of a moveable head of the computer numerically controlled machine to deliver electromagnetic energy to effect a change in a material within an interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine. The execution plan segment can include a predefined safe pausing point from which the execution plan can be restarted while minimizing a difference in appearance of a finished work-product relative to if a pause and restart are not necessary. Operations of the computer numerically controlled machine can be commenced only after determining that the execution plan segment has been received up to and including the predefined safe pausing point by the computer numerically controlled machine.

A method of fabricating of an object includes causing a first heat source to heat a feed material to form a melt pool of the feed material on a surface. The method further includes causing a second heat source to heat the melt pool on the surface to regulate grain formation of the feed material in the melt pool as the melt pool cools and solidifies on the surface to form at least a portion of the object. The method also includes causing the first heat source and the second heat source to move relative to the surface as the melt pool is formed and cooled.

An apparatus (10) for joining a predetermined geometrical profile shape from a sheet material (SM) includes a positioning assembly (12) including a base member (14) and a frame (16) that is operable to receive the sheet material (SM), to configure the sheet material in a predetermined orientation and to linearly translate the sheet material along a process direction (20). A Z-bar (22) is configured to guide a first longitudinal edge (FE) and second longitudinal edge (SE) of the sheet material (SM) into adjacent alignment along the process direction (20). A welding and forging assembly (60) welds and then forges a seam between the first longitudinal edge (FE) and the second longitudinal edge (SE) of the associated sheet material (SM).

A welding apparatus has a guide rail arrangement with at least one guide rail attachable to a welding target. A carriage has a carriage housing and a rail follower assembly that is movably mountable to the guide rail arrangement for relative movement along the at least one guide rail. A feedstock source is disposed within the carriage housing and configured to deposit a feedstock material on a target surface of the welding target. An ultrasonic weld head is partially disposed within the carriage housing and has a sonotrode that extends toward the target surface so as to engage the deposited feedstock material and apply a normal welding force to the deposited feedstock material and the target surface. The sonotrode is operable to conduct ultrasonic vibrations into the deposited feedstock material and the target surface to weld the feedstock material to the target surface.

A moveable head of a computer numerically controlled machine may deliver electromagnetic energy sufficient to cause a first change in a material at least partially contained within an interior space of the CNC machine. A feature of the material may be imaged using at least one camera present inside the interior space to update a position of the material, and the moveable head may be aligned to deliver electromagnetic energy sufficient to cause a second change in the material such that the second change is positioned on the material consistent with the first change and with an intended final appearance of the material. Methods, systems, and article of manufacture are described.

A laser machining tool is disclosed. The laser machining tool includes a machining device that has a movable carriage. A machining unit, which includes a machining head, is arranged on the movable carriage. The machining head is configured to direct a laser beam of laser light onto a workpiece to be machined. A flexible fibre cable for supplying the laser light from a laser light source is connected to the machining head. The machining unit can be moved linearly together with the machining head relative to the movable carriage. The flexible fibre cable is fixed to the machining unit with a first fixing means and fixed to the movable carriage with a second fixing means. The flexible fibre cable is freely movable for enabling a linear movement of the machining unit relative to the movable carriage in a predetermined guide plane between the first and second fixing means.

A computer numerically controlled machine may include a movable head configured to deliver electromagnetic energy to a part of a working area in which the movable head may be commanded to cause delivery of the electromagnetic energy. The interior space may be defined by a housing and may include an openable barrier that attenuates transmission of light between the interior space and an exterior of the computer numerically controlled machine when the openable barrier is in a closed position. The computer numerically controlled machine may include an interlock that prevents emission of the electromagnetic energy when detecting that the openable barrier is not in the closed position. The commanding may result in the computer numerically controlled machine executing operations of a motion plan for causing movement of the movable head to deliver the electromagnetic energy to effect a change in a material at least partially contained within the interior space.

A tool may include a column system, a floating system, and/or an electrode system. The floating system may be connected to the column system. The floating system may include an energizer. The electrode system may be connected to the floating system. The floating system may automatically return the electrode system to a home position when an external force moves the electrode away from the home position.

A computer numerically controlled machine may include a movable head configured to deliver electromagnetic energy to a part of a working area in which the movable head may be commanded to cause delivery of the electromagnetic energy. The interior space may be defined by a housing and may include an openable barrier that attenuates transmission of light between the interior space and an exterior of the computer numerically controlled machine when the openable barrier is in a closed position. The computer numerically controlled machine may include an interlock that prevents emission of the electromagnetic energy when detecting that the openable barrier is not in the closed position. The commanding may result in the computer numerically controlled machine executing operations of a motion plan for causing movement of the movable head to deliver the electromagnetic energy to effect a change in a material at least partially contained within the interior space.

An execution plan segment of an execution plan can be received at a control unit of a computer numerically controlled machine from a general purpose computer. The execution plan segment can define operations for causing movement of a moveable head of the computer numerically controlled machine to deliver electromagnetic energy to effect a change in a material within an interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine. The execution plan segment can include a predefined safe pausing point from which the execution plan can be restarted while minimizing a difference in appearance of a finished work-product relative to if a pause and restart are not necessary. Operations of the computer numerically controlled machine can be commenced only after determining that the execution plan segment has been received up to and including the predefined safe pausing point by the computer numerically controlled machine.