A method for capturing a tool path, applicable to a machine tool having a controller and furnished with a tooling, includes the steps of: obtaining a data update frequency of the controller; calculating a feed rate of the controller, determining whether or not the feed rate is obtained, going to next step if positive, and going to the previous step if negative; reading G-codes of the controller to confirm the feed rate; and, based on the confirmed feed rate, recording machine coordinates transmitted from the controller for synthesizing a tool path file. The tool path file is used for simulation and analysis of machining of the machine tool. In addition, a device for capturing the tool path is also provided.

To provide a control device for a machine tool capable of performing thread cutting while reducing the load on the machine tool from the oscillating operation, without extending the cycle time, and capable of reliably shredding chips in a case of performing the non-oscillating operation in the present pass after the oscillating operation in the previous pass. A control device for a machine tool includes: an oscillating operation execution determination unit that determines whether to execute an oscillating operation that causes the cutting tool to oscillate in the radial direction of the workpiece; an oscillation command generation unit that generates an oscillation command of the oscillating operation based on a determination result; a control unit that superimposes the oscillation command on a position command of the feed axis to generate a drive command. The oscillating operation execution determination unit determines to intermittently execute the oscillating operation, and the oscillation command generation unit generates an oscillation command so that a non-oscillating cutting portion of a present pass includes a portion at which oscillating cutting was performed in a previous pass, or so that an oscillating cutting portion of the present pass includes a portion at which non-oscillating cutting was performed in the previous pass.

To provide a control device for a machine tool capable of performing thread cutting while reducing the load on the machine tool from the oscillating operation, without extending the cycle time, and capable of reliably shredding chips in a case of performing the non-oscillating operation in the present pass after the oscillating operation in the previous pass. A control device for a machine tool includes: an oscillating operation execution determination unit that determines whether to execute an oscillating operation that causes the cutting tool to oscillate in the radial direction of the workpiece; an oscillation command generation unit that generates an oscillation command of the oscillating operation based on a determination result; a control unit that superimposes the oscillation command on a position command of the feed axis to generate a drive command. The oscillating operation execution determination unit determines to intermittently execute the oscillating operation, and the oscillation command generation unit generates an oscillation command so that a non-oscillating cutting portion of a present pass includes a portion at which oscillating cutting was performed in a previous pass, or so that an oscillating cutting portion of the present pass includes a portion at which non-oscillating cutting was performed in the previous pass.

A plasma cutting system includes a plasma cutting power supply configured to provide cutting current to a torch. A controllable gas valve regulates at least one of a flow rate and a pressure supplied to the torch. A controller is operatively connected to the power supply to control a current level, and to the gas valve to adjust a valve position. The controller is configured to receive real-time torch position information from a motion control system that controls positioning of the torch. The position information includes torch positions along a first axis and a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The controller is configured to calculate respective derivatives from the torch positions along the first and second axes, and a real-time velocity magnitude of the torch from the respective derivatives, and adjust the current level and the valve position based on the calculated real-time velocity magnitude.

A plasma cutting system includes a plasma cutting power supply configured to provide cutting current to a torch. A controllable gas valve regulates at least one of a flow rate and a pressure supplied to the torch. A controller is operatively connected to the power supply to control a current level, and to the gas valve to adjust a valve position. The controller is configured to receive real-time torch position information from a motion control system that controls positioning of the torch. The position information includes torch positions along a first axis and a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. The controller is configured to calculate respective derivatives from the torch positions along the first and second axes, and a real-time velocity magnitude of the torch from the respective derivatives, and adjust the current level and the valve position based on the calculated real-time velocity magnitude.

A plasma arc torch includes a cathode extending along an axis of the torch, a pilot arc conductor, and a nozzle body. A first fluid conduit and second fluid conduit extend parallel to the axis of the torch. A first offset fitting includes a first duct coupled to and in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit, and a second duct in fluid communication with the first duct and outwardly radially offset from the first duct and extending away from the first duct in a proximal direction. A second offset fitting includes a third duct coupled to and in fluid communication with the second fluid conduit, and a fourth duct in fluid communication with the third duct and outwardly radially offset from the third duct and extending away from the third duct in the proximal direction. A spring compression plug electrically connects the pilot arc conductor to the nozzle body.

Various embodiments of power tool and method of operating same are described. The power tool may include a first position sensor, a second position sensor, a third position sensor, and a controller. The first, second, and third position sensors may each generate a signal indicative of a distance between the respective position sensor and a workpiece. The controller may determine one or more angles of the power tool with respect to the workpiece based on the first, second, and third signal and present an indication as to whether the one or more angles are within a predetermined range. The controller may further obtain a depth measurement based on the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal and generate, based on the obtained depth measurement, one or more control signals that control operation of the power tool.

Various embodiments of power tool and method of operating same are described. The power tool may include a first position sensor, a second position sensor, a third position sensor, and a controller. The first, second, and third position sensors may each generate a signal indicative of a distance between the respective position sensor and a workpiece. The controller may determine one or more angles of the power tool with respect to the workpiece based on the first, second, and third signal and present an indication as to whether the one or more angles are within a predetermined range. The controller may further obtain a depth measurement based on the first signal, the second signal, and the third signal and generate, based on the obtained depth measurement, one or more control signals that control operation of the power tool.

In a control method for the movement of a tool with a machine tool, the machine tool involves a numerically controlled machine tool, in order to produce an arbitrary required surface of a workpiece by machining. A numeric path program is created which describes the machining of the workpiece with the tool at machining points and which controls the control device. The numeric path program produces a path with respect to the geometric nature of the surface of the workpiece to be machined, with the path including a plurality of sample points and individual paths, with each individual path connecting a pair of the sample points to each other. The numeric path program is evaluated and selected on the basis of a geometric quality criterion, with the geometric quality criterion having continuity as at least one criterion.

In a control method for the movement of a tool with a machine tool, the machine tool involves a numerically controlled machine tool, in order to produce an arbitrary required surface of a workpiece by machining. A numeric path program is created which describes the machining of the workpiece with the tool at machining points and which controls the control device. The numeric path program produces a path with respect to the geometric nature of the surface of the workpiece to be machined, with the path including a plurality of sample points and individual paths, with each individual path connecting a pair of the sample points to each other. The numeric path program is evaluated and selected on the basis of a geometric quality criterion, with the geometric quality criterion having continuity as at least one criterion.