Method and system for controlling a manufacturing process for a part

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method and system for controlling a manufacturing process for a part.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method and system for controlling a manufacturing process of a part. The present invention also relates to a computer-implemented method for generating a digital design model of a part, and a computer program product for generating a digital design model of a part. [Background technology]

[0002] Computer programs for generating digital design models of parts are generally known. In particular, CAD programs (CAD: Computer-Aided Design) are known that can create digital design models of parts to be manufactured or of products made up of multiple parts. This type of digital design model associates the included design elements (e.g., a bore) with specific nominal dimensions (e.g., a 10 mm diameter) through geometric shapes represented by lines. It is not possible to directly incorporate further geometric information, such as tolerance specifications, into the design model itself.

[0003] In addition to digital design models, technical drawings and tabulated information are used to provide further geometric information according to requirements and manufacturing specifications. This tabulated information can be made available in a standardized format through standards, guidelines, tables, and reference books, such as Tabellenbuch Metall (Table Book Metal), by Roland Gomeringer, Roland Kilgus, Volker Menges, Stefan Oesterle, Thomas Rapp, Claudius Scholer, Andreas Stenzel, Andreas Stephan, and Falko Wieneke, Europa-Lehrmittel, ISBN: 978-3-758-51142-4.

[0004] Furthermore, it is known to add PMI information (product modeling information) when designing a part in a CAD system. PMI information can include information necessary for manufacturing the part, such as surface finish, materials, and tolerances. The PMI information is added as comments or labels to relevant areas of the part and is therefore not an integral part of the design model. The problem here is that CAD systems, viewers, documentation systems, etc. are often unable to process this PMI information throughout the entire process chain. This is especially true for heterogeneous software systems for CAD and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing), i.e., the creation of the digital design model and the manufacturing of the part based on the digital design model are performed by different types of software products that are not compatible with each other regarding PMI information. Summary of the Invention

[0005] From this starting point, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a manufacturing process of a part, which allows for continuous control of the manufacturing process of the part even when system interfaces are crossed.

[0006] This object is achieved by a method comprising the features of independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. A system for manufacturing a component is the subject of a further independent claim 9, a computer-implemented method for generating a digital design model of a component is the subject of a further independent claim 11, and a computer program capable of generating a design model for the method according to the invention is the subject of a further independent claim 15.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for controlling a manufacturing process of a part, the method comprising the following steps:

[0008] First, a color table is prepared, which contains a number of colors assigned according to a color coding system. Each color is associated with further geometric information that defines a geometric tolerance. "Geometric tolerance" is understood to mean an allowable deviation from a nominal dimension, e.g., defined by a lower and / or upper deviation limit.

[0009] A digital design model of the part is also prepared. The digital design model may be provided, for example, in the form of a CAD file. The digital design model includes at least one design element having a nominal dimension. The surface of the design element is colored with a unique color from a color table. Using the color table, a geometric tolerance is associated with the design element via color, specifying the allowable geometric deviation from the nominal dimension of the design element. In other words, the geometric tolerance of the design element is not derived directly from the design model using text information or the like, but is derived indirectly via the color and the geometric tolerance associated with this color via the color table.

[0010] To manufacture a part, a control unit of a machining device that executes the manufacturing process of the part loads a digital design model of the part, and after the loading operation, reads the allowable geometric tolerances of the design elements from a color table that establishes an association between the surface colors of the design elements and the geometric tolerances.

[0011] Finally, the manufacturing process performed by the machine tool is controlled based on the retrieved acceptable geometric tolerances of the design elements.

[0012] The technical advantage of this method is that by coding the geometric tolerances of design elements using colors from a color table, as opposed to PMI information, the color codes can be transferred unambiguously across heterogeneous system landscapes, enabling the consistent transfer of tolerance information across interfaces between the software used to create the digital design model (CAD program) and the machine tools that machine the workpieces according to the digital design model, and, if necessary, the measuring devices that measure the machined workpieces based on the digital design model. This transfer can be done, for example, through standardized exchange formats (e.g., STEP 242). As a result, tolerance information is available along the entire process chain and can be used for the automated manufacturing and measurement of parts.

[0013] According to one exemplary embodiment, the step of controlling the manufacturing process carried out by the processing machine is followed by a part measurement process in which the colors associated with the design elements are used to check whether the acceptable geometric tolerances of the design elements defined by the colors are adhered to. That is, the color coding of the digital design model and the geometric tolerances contained in this model can be used not only to control the manufacturing process, but also to check the part for compliance with the geometric tolerances.

[0014] According to one exemplary embodiment, the color table includes at least one color palette having a start color, an end color, and intermediate colors between the start color and the end color. The start color defines a first end of the color palette, and the end color defines a second end of the color palette. At least some of the intermediate colors between the start color and the end color are associated with one or more sets of tolerance values ​​from a deviation chart. Thus, the color palette forms a color space sub-range of the overall color space that can provide tolerance information so that different tolerance information can be systematically located, for example, for manufacturing ISO fits.

[0015] According to one exemplary embodiment, the starting and ending colors of a color palette are defined by a numerical color code including at least three color code values. Intermediate colors in the color palette are formed by holding two color code values, each representing a starting color and an ending color, constant for the intermediate color and varying the third color code value to form different intermediate colors. In other words, at least two color code values ​​are the same for all colors in the color palette, and different colors in the color palette are formed by varying the third color code value to define the color codes of different colors in the color palette. Thus, it is possible to achieve a gradual change in color from the starting color to the ending color along the color palette, while the color space is used unambiguously, systematically, and space-savingly.

[0016] According to one exemplary embodiment, consecutive intermediate colors in the color palette are spaced equidistantly. In this regard, two consecutive intermediate colors in the color palette have the same integer difference in third color code value. In other words, the step size of the third color code value between two consecutive intermediate colors is the same. The step size can depend on the amount of tolerance information encoded by the color palette. The integer difference value or step size can be 1 (the number one) or an integer multiple of 1. This ensures that intermediate colors are determined by evenly and systematically distributing the intermediate colors between the start and end colors.

[0017] According to one exemplary embodiment, the color table includes a set of multiple color palettes, each having a start color and an end color. The start color and end color of the color palette are each defined by a numerical color code including at least three color code values. The color palettes of the set of color palettes each have a start color with at least two color code values ​​that are the same, and the start color of the color palette is changed by changing the third color code value. The third color code values ​​that make the start colors of the color palettes different from each other are color code values ​​other than the color code values ​​used to form intermediate colors between the start color and end color of each color palette. Preferably, each of the third color code values ​​of consecutive color palettes of the set of color palettes has the same step size or the same difference value.

[0018] According to one exemplary embodiment, a set of color palettes is associated with the values ​​of a tolerance dimension chart or deviation chart, and in each case at least one column of the tolerance dimension chart or deviation chart is represented by a color palette of the set of color palettes. Thus, through the color palette set, a deviation chart, such as according to the "standard shaft" or "standard bore" tolerance system of the table book Metall, Europa-Lehrmittel, ISBN: 978-3-758-51142-4, can be color-coded with multiple chart sections, each of which includes multiple chart parts indicating a tolerance position (letters A-ZC) and / or a tolerance grade (numbers 1-18). Similarly, any other system of gradually increasing or decreasing geometric changes in tolerance values ​​can be represented.

[0019] According to one exemplary embodiment, the color table includes at least one color space region defined by a center color having a numerical color code including at least three color code values. This center color is associated with basic production information. In each case, one piece of detailed production information is associated with a color (also called an edge color) located within the color space region around the center color and resulting from a gradual change in at least one color code value of the numerical color code of the center color. This detailed production information specifies the basic production information. As a result, the spot-like color space region including the center color and the edge colors arranged around this center color can be used to code manufacturing information, which can be incorporated into the design model in a color-coded form during creation and can be read and used by the control unit of the machining machine during the CAM process.

[0020] According to a further aspect, a system for manufacturing a part is disclosed, the system including at least one processing machine capable of performing a manufacturing process on a workpiece to produce the part, and a control unit for controlling the processing machine, the control unit configured to perform the following steps:

[0021] First, a color table is loaded that contains a plurality of colors assigned according to a color coding system, each associated with further geometric information that defines a geometric tolerance.

[0022] The method also loads a digital design model of the part, including at least one design element having a nominal dimension. The surfaces of the design element are colored with a unique color from a color table. A geometric tolerance is associated with the design element via the color from the color table. The geometric tolerance specifies how much geometric deviation from the nominal dimension of the design element is allowed.

[0023] Next, the control unit reads out the allowable geometric tolerance of the design element from the color table according to the color of the surface of the design element, i.e., determines, based on the color table, what geometric tolerance is associated with the color with which the surface of the design element is colored.

[0024] Finally, the control unit controls the manufacturing process performed by the machine tool based on the retrieved acceptable geometric tolerances of the design elements.

[0025] According to one exemplary embodiment, a system includes a measuring device for measuring a part machined by a processing machine, the measuring device having a control unit configured to control a measurement process for measuring the part, the control unit including: - loading a color table containing a plurality of colors assigned according to a color coding system, each of which is associated with further geometric information defining a geometric tolerance; - loading a digital design model of a part including at least one design element having a nominal dimension; wherein the surface of the design element is colored with a unique color from a color table, and a geometric tolerance indicating an allowable geometric deviation from a nominal dimension of the design element is associated with the design element via the color from the color table; and the control unit further - retrieving the allowable geometric tolerances of the design element from a color table according to the color of the surface of the design element; - controlling at least one measuring step on an area of ​​the part related to the design element to check whether the geometrical tolerances determined by the color of the design element are respected; It is designed to perform the following:

[0026] According to a further aspect, a computer-implemented method for generating a digital design model of a part is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of:

[0027] First, a color table is loaded containing multiple colors assigned according to a color coding system, with each color associated with further geometric information that defines the geometric tolerances.

[0028] A digital design model of the part is generated, the digital design model including at least one design element having nominal dimensions, for example, performed at least in part by a human user.

[0029] Select acceptable geometric tolerances for design elements, associated with prescribed colors via a color table.

[0030] This color is assigned to the design element so that the surface of the design element has a color associated with this selected geometric tolerance, and thus the digital design model provides information regarding the design element's allowable geometric tolerance via this color and color table.

[0031] Finally, the digital design model of the part is stored along with the colors from the color table associated with the surfaces of the design elements.

[0032] This method has the technical advantage that a digital design model of the part is created that allows for the incorporation of tolerance information related to the design elements into the design model in a technically simple and coded form, which can then be used system-independently in the manufacturing process of the part.

[0033] According to one exemplary embodiment of a method for generating a digital design model, the color table includes at least one color palette having a start color defining a first end of the color palette and an end color defining a second end of the color palette. At least some of the intermediate colors between the start and end colors are associated with a set of values ​​from a tolerance or deviation chart. Such color palettes are used to define color space subranges for which tolerance information can be provided, allowing for systematic placement of different tolerance information within the available overall color space, for example, for ISO fit manufacturing.

[0034] According to one exemplary embodiment, the start and end colors of the color palette are defined by a numerical color code including at least three color code values. Intermediate colors in the color palette are formed by holding two color code values, including the start and end colors, constant for the intermediate colors and varying the third color code value to form different intermediate colors. In other words, at least two color code values ​​are the same for all colors in the color palette, and different colors in the color palette are formed by varying the third color code value to define the color codes of different colors in the color palette. In this way, a gradual change in color from the start color to the end color along the color palette is achieved, and the color space is used in a systematic and space-saving manner.

[0035] According to one exemplary embodiment, consecutive intermediate colors in the color palette are equidistant, and consecutive intermediate colors in the color palette have the same integer difference value in the third color code value. In other words, the step size in the third color code value between two consecutive intermediate colors is the same. The step size can depend on the amount of tolerance information encoded by the color palette. The integer difference value or step size can be 1 (the number one) or an integer multiple of 1. This ensures that intermediate colors are determined by evenly and systematically distributing the intermediate colors between the start color and the end color.

[0036] According to a final aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising commands, which when executed by a computer: - preparing a color table including a plurality of colors assigned according to a color coding system, each of the colors being associated with further geometric information defining a geometric tolerance; - providing a design surface on a graphical user interface of a computer on which a user can create at least one digital design model of a part including at least one design element having nominal dimensions; - providing input options that allow a user to associate geometric tolerance information with a design element; - after a user inputs the geometric tolerance information, determining in a color table a color associated with the geometric tolerance information; - assigning the determined colors to the design elements so that the surfaces of the design elements have a coloration corresponding to the selected colors, and thus the digital design model provides information about the acceptable geometric tolerances of the design elements via the colors and color tables; - after receiving a store command, storing the digital design model of the part together with the colors of the color table assigned to the surfaces of the design elements; A computer program for causing a computer to execute the above is disclosed.

[0037] A technical advantage of this computer program is that it can create design models that include color-coded information regarding allowable geometric tolerances, and use this color-coded tolerance information to control the manufacturing process of the part and / or use this tolerance information as a database in measurement processes performed after the part is manufactured, thereby ensuring consistent use of tolerance information across process interfaces.

[0038] The term "design model" in this disclosure is preferably understood to mean a three-dimensional digital model of a part. The design model can be created by a CAD program and defines the geometric characteristics of the part based on nominal dimensions.

[0039] The expression "design elements" in the sense of the present disclosure is understood to mean areas of a design model to which nominal dimensions and geometric tolerances are assigned, such as bores, shafts, radii, chamfers, grooves, ring grooves, flanges, ribs, shells, etc. "Design elements" are often also called "features".

[0040] The term "color table" in the sense of the present disclosure is understood to mean a collection of many different colors that can be achieved by varying the color values ​​of the base colors of a color model, which can be for example the RGB color model or the CMYK color model.

[0041] The term "color palette" as used in this disclosure is understood to mean a set of colors having a start color, an end color, and a number of intermediate colors that lie between the start color and the end color in the color model underlying the color table.

[0042] The term "color space region" in the sense of the present disclosure is understood to mean a range of a color table that is arranged around a center color in a color space and includes a plurality of colors that are generated by slightly varying one or more color code values ​​of the center color based on the color code of the center color.

[0043] The expression "basic manufacturing information" in the sense of the present disclosure is understood to mean information about the manufacturing method, which can be rough machining or fine machining, such as milling, turning, grinding, electrical discharge machining, polishing, shaping, additive manufacturing processes, etc.

[0044] The expression "detailed manufacturing information" in the sense of the present disclosure is understood to mean information that can be used to specify basic manufacturing information by adding some process information such as, for example, "roughness", "fineness", "tool speed", etc.

[0045] The terms "approximately", "substantially" or "about" in the sense of the present invention mean a deviation of ±10%, preferably ±5%, from the respective exact value and / or a deviation in the form of a change that is not important for functionality.

[0046] Further developments, advantages and possible uses of the invention also become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and the drawings. Essentially, all features described and / or shown herein are subject matter of the invention, individually or in any combination, regardless of whether they are summarized or referred to again in the claims. The content of the claims also forms part of this description.

[0047] The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments and with reference to several drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0048] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an example design model of a part with two color-coded design elements. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example color table having multiple fields with unique colors associated with them via color codes. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a color palette of a color table associated with tolerance information of an H7 standard bore. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing, as an example, two color palettes of a color table, where the first color palette is assigned tolerance information for an H6 standard bore and the second color palette is assigned tolerance information for an H7 standard bore. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a color space region having a center color and multiple edge colors arranged around the center color. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system including a processing machine for manufacturing a part and a measuring device for measuring the part. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating steps of a method for controlling a manufacturing process. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating steps in a method for generating a digital design model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] 1 shows, by way of example, a two-dimensional representation of a design model 1 of a part. The part can be formed in the form of a single piece or can consist of several pieces. The design model 1 can be created, for example, by a CAD program. The design model 1 can have one or more design elements 2. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the design model 1 has several design elements 2 in the form of bores.

[0050] The design element 2 has a defined geometry with nominal dimensions in the design model 1. For example, the diameter of the bore can be 10 mm, and this diameter is accurately reproduced by the contour of the bore in the design model 1. In order to integrate specifications regarding the tolerances of the bore into the design model 1, for example to obtain a particular clearance fit, the surfaces 2.1 of the design element 2, specifically the surfaces 2.1 that define the geometry of the design element 2, have a color that allows incorporating information about the geometric tolerances into the design model 1, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0051] A color table 3 is used to assign information about the desired geometric tolerances to the design elements 2. Figure 2 shows an example of an excerpt from this kind of color table 3, where color fields have been replaced by different hatching patterns because colors are not available. It should be understood that each hatching pattern represents a specific color.

[0052] The color table 3 is based on a color model, such as the RGB color model or the CMY / CMYK color model. The color table 3 includes multiple fields, each of which has a different color 3.1. The colors 3.1 of the fields are each uniquely defined by a color code 5 that defines the color based on the color components or base colors of the respective color model. In the RGB color model, for example, a color can be defined by three color code values ​​5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 that represent the proportions of the base colors red (R), green (G), and blue (B) of each color. The color table can span a portion of the color space of the respective color model or the entire color space.

[0053] Further geometric information that defines a geometric tolerance is at least partially associated with each color 3.1, and thus with each field of color table 3. In other words, information regarding the acceptable range of geometric deviations from the nominal dimension is associated with the color based on the assignment of the further geometric information to the respective color 3.1 in color table 3. One example of such a geometric tolerance is ±10 μm.

[0054] By assigning a color 3.1 from the color table 3 to a surface 2.1 of a design element 2, a geometrical tolerance is directly associated with this design element 2. That is, not only does the design model 1 contain the specification of the nominal dimensions of the design element 2, but the design element 2 is also associated with information about its permissible geometrical tolerance by means of the color of its surface 2.1 and the color table 3. The use of color as an information carrier has the advantage that information can be transmitted even in the case of heterogeneous systems (e.g., between CAD and CAM), since in the case of heterogeneous systems the color is conveyed unambiguously and therefore information about the geometrical tolerance can be read out independently of the systems along the process chain.

[0055] 3 shows in tabular form an excerpt from an exemplary color table 3 having fields associated with geometric tolerance information. The excerpt from color table 3 forms a color palette 4 according to a color coding system. Color palette 4 has a start color 4.1 and an end color 4.2. The start color 4.1 and end color 4.2 are specified by color code values ​​5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 according to a selected color code. This illustrative example uses the RGB color model, and therefore the color codes are specified in the scheme R:xxx, G:yyy, B:zzz, where xxx represents the red component of the respective color, yyy represents the green component, and zzz represents the blue component.

[0056] Color palette 4 in Figure 3 illustrates a color table 3 used to encode information about standard bore H7 by color palette colors, for example. For example, the color palette has a starting color 4.1, "blue," determined by color code 5, where color code values ​​5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 are "0," "0," and "255." The ending color 4.2 of color palette 4 is determined by color code 5, where color code values ​​5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 are "0," "193," and "255." It is understood that color palette 4 can be longer or shorter to accommodate the amount of tolerance information to be represented.

[0057] The left column of the table according to FIG. 3 shows the colors (represented by different hatching patterns), with the second to fourth columns (from the left) showing the color code values ​​5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 for color code 5. In columns five and six, tolerance information is associated with the respective color 3.1, taken by way of example from the table book Metall, Europa-Lehrmittel, ISBN: 978-3-758-51142-4. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tolerance information refers to a standard bore H7. Column five, labeled "ES," lists the upper deviation limit in μm, and column six, labeled "EL," lists the lower deviation limit in μm.

[0058] The color palette 4 has a number of intermediate colors between the start color 4.1 and the end color 4.2. According to the proposed color coding system, the intermediate colors of the color palette 4 are obtained by keeping the two color code values ​​5.1 and 5.3 constant and gradually increasing the third color code value 5.2 (green color value). The third color code value 5.2 preferably increases in discrete step sizes. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the step size is 8, although larger or smaller step sizes, such as a step size of 1, can also be selected. Because the colors in the color code 5 are unique, they can be used independently of the interface to transmit multiple pieces of information provided by the color table 3, which functions as a look-up table.

[0059] For example, if a standard bore H7 can tolerate an upper deviation of 12 μm and a lower deviation of 0 μm, then when creating the design model 2, the surface 2.1 of the design element 2 that forms the standard bore can be associated with color 3.1, where the color code values ​​5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 are "0," "9," and "255." Preferably, the surface 2.1 of the design element 2 is also colored this color. That is, to a human user, this surface remains blue, corresponding to the standard bore H7 in the guidelines used, for example, by automobile manufacturers. However, this standard bore also carries tolerance information that specifies what geometric tolerances should be used to manufacture the standard bore.

[0060] When the design model 1 is used to manufacture the part by a CAM system, the required geometric tolerances can be read from the color 3.1 associated with the surface 2.1 and the color table 3, and the machining machine can be controlled to manufacture a standard bore based on this tolerance.

[0061] FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a color table 3 including multiple color palettes 4a, 4b that can represent a tolerance system for a tolerance dimension or deviation chart. For example, multiple color palettes 4a, 4b can be used to represent a tolerance dimension chart that includes multiple chart segments, each representing a tolerance position (letters A-ZC) and / or a tolerance class (numbers 1-18). For clarity, color fields are not shown in FIG. 4. However, it is understood that the rows of color palettes 4a, 4b relate to colors defined by color code values ​​5.1, 5.2, and 5.3, respectively.

[0062] In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 4, the first color palette 4a refers to an H6 fit, and the second color palette 4b refers to an H7 fit. Each color 3.1 in the color palettes 4a, 4b has associated tolerance information, i.e., in each instance of the color palettes 4a, 4b, an upper deviation limit is shown in the column labeled "ES" and a lower deviation limit is shown in the column labeled "EL", both in μm.

[0063] Each color palette 4a, 4b has two constant color code values ​​5.1 and 5.3, which are red and blue components in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. Color code value 5.2 varies in increments of 8 from 1 to 193 in the illustrated exemplary embodiment to form intermediate colors. It is understood that the length of color palettes 4a, 4b can vary and the step size can be larger or smaller.

[0064] Since the color code values ​​5.1, 5.3, which are constant in each color palette 4a, 4b, increase or decrease by a constant value, varying the starting color 4.1 of the color palette advantageously positions table sections with similar / identical tolerance positions and / or similar / identical tolerance classes next to each other in the color space. This value is preferably 1, i.e., the color palettes are positioned immediately next to each other in the color space. As a result, to a human observer of the design model 1 using the color coding according to the invention, the bore appears to be a standard bore with tolerance position H. However, this unique color coding can enable, for example, a CAM application or a metrology application to read out which tolerance values ​​the bore must comply with based on the information coded in the color palettes 4a, 4b.

[0065] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the color code value 5.1, indicating the red component, is R=0 across color palette 4b encoding the H7 standard bore and R=1 across color palette 4a encoding the H6 standard bore. Following this system, a further color palette with a red component of R=2 may also be used to encode tolerance information for the H5 standard bore.

[0066] Figure 5 shows an example color space region 6 that can be used, for example, to code information about a manufacturing process. The color space region 6 is defined by a center color 6.1 having a defined numerical color code. The color code has at least three color code values ​​6.1.1, 6.1.2, and 6.1.3. The color code values ​​6.1.1, 6.1.2, and 6.1.3 can specify color components, for example, according to the RGB color model.

[0067] The center color 6.1 can have associated with it basic manufacturing information, which can specify the manufacturing process, for example drilling, cutting, eroding, honing, etc.

[0068] As can be seen from FIG. 5, color space region 6 has edge colors 6.2 that surround and are distributed around center color 6.1 in the color space. These edge colors 6.2 can be obtained by gradually changing (e.g., by a specified step size, specifically, a step size of 1) the three color code values ​​6.1.1, 6.1.2, and 6.1.3 of center color 6.a. For example, if center color 6.1 has an RGB color code of (0 / 255 / 0), edge color 6.2 can be obtained by slightly changing the RGB components of center color 6.1 by (1 / 255 / 0), (1 / 255 / 1), (1 / 254 / 1), (2 / 255 / 1), (2 / 255 / 2), (2 / 254 / 2), etc. Needless to say, the step size does not necessarily have to be 1. However, a small step size, eg less than 10, is preferred so that the edge color 6.2 of the color space region 6 also remains visually perceptible as similar to the center color 6.1.

[0069] Edge color 6.2 can be provided with detailed production information that further specifies the basic production information associated with center color 6.1. For example, a process called "drilling" can be coded with center color 6.1, and edge colors 6.2 surrounding center color 6.1 can be associated with information such as drilling speed that further specifies the drilling process. This allows information that further specifies the manufacturing method for producing a part area to be coded via a spot-like, locally defined region of color space.

[0070] The use of the above-mentioned color table 3 in the manufacturing process will now be described.

[0071] 6 is a schematic diagram of a part manufacturing system 20. The system 20 has an input interface 11.1 that allows loading a design model 1 of the part to be manufactured or information derived from this design model 1. The design model 1 can in particular be loaded in the form of a CAD file. The system 20 also includes a processing machine 10 that is controlled by a control unit 11. The design model 1 of the part to be manufactured is supplied to or loaded by the control unit 11, thereby providing the control unit 11 with the information stored in the design model 1.

[0072] The control unit 11 is designed to load a color table 3. As mentioned above, the color table 3 includes a number of colors 3.1 assigned according to a color coding system, each of which is associated with a piece of further geometric information defining a geometric tolerance.

[0073] The digital design model 1 of the part loaded in the input interface 11.1 includes at least one design element 2 having nominal dimensions. In the design model 1, the design element 2 has a surface 2.1 colored with a specific color 3.1 from a color table 3. That is, the design element 2 is associated with a geometric tolerance via the color 3.1 from the color table 3, which defines how much geometric deviation from the nominal dimension of the design element 2 is acceptable.

[0074] At this point, it is possible to determine the allowable geometric tolerances of the design element 2 based on the color table 3 and the colored surface 2.1 of the design element 2. For this purpose, the color code of the color of the surface 2.1 of the design element is extracted from the design model 1, and the control unit 11 determines, based on the color table 3, the geometric tolerances to which this surface 2.1 must be manufactured.

[0075] The control unit 11 then controls the manufacturing process carried out by the processing machine 10 based on the allowable geometric tolerances of the retrieved design elements 2 .

[0076] It is understood that the method for manufacturing a part need not be limited to a single machine 10, but may be performed on multiple machines 10 in sequence.

[0077] The system 20 for manufacturing parts may also include a measuring device 12 capable of measuring parts machined by at least one machine 10 .

[0078] The measuring device 12 can be associated with a further control unit 13 which receives the design model 1 of the part or information derived from the design model 1 at an interface 13.1.

[0079] The measuring device 12 is designed to measure the part under the control of a control unit 13. For this purpose, the following steps are carried out:

[0080] First, a color table 3 is loaded, which contains a number of colors 3.1 assigned according to a color coding system. "Loading" here means any process by which a control unit accesses the color table 3. Each color 3.1 in the color table 3 is associated with further geometric information that defines a geometric tolerance.

[0081] Also, a digital design model 1 of a part is loaded, for example via interface 13.1. The part includes at least one design element 2 having a nominal dimension. A surface 2.1 of the design element 2 is colored with a unique color 3.1 from a color table 3. Tolerance information is associated with the design element 2 via color 3.1, which is uniquely linked to a geometric tolerance in color table 3 and specifies how much geometric deviation of the design element 2 from the nominal dimension is acceptable.

[0082] The allowable geometric tolerances of this design element 2 are read from the color table 3 by the control unit 13, i.e. by determining which geometric tolerances are associated in the color table 3 with the color 3.1 of the surface 2.1 of the design element 2.

[0083] Finally, at least one measurement step is carried out on the area of ​​the part related to the design element and a check is made to verify whether the geometric tolerances defined by the color 3.1 of the design element 2 are adhered to.

[0084] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating steps in a method for controlling a manufacturing process for a part.

[0085] First, a color table is prepared (S10) that includes a plurality of colors assigned according to a color coding system, each of which is associated with further geometric information that defines a geometric tolerance. The color table can be provided, for example, by being stored in a memory unit.

[0086] Further, a digital design model of the part is prepared (S11), which includes at least one design element having a nominal dimension. The digital design model can be provided, for example, by storing it in a memory unit. The surface of the design element is colored with a unique color from a color table. Here, a geometric tolerance is associated with the design element via the color from the color table. The geometric tolerance specifies how much geometric deviation from the nominal dimension of the design element is acceptable.

[0087] The digital design model of the part is loaded (S12) into a control unit associated with or included in a machine that will manufacture the part, which reads the allowable geometric tolerances of the design elements from a color table and determines within the color table the geometric tolerances associated with the surface colors of the design elements.

[0088] Finally, the manufacturing process performed by the processing machine is controlled based on the read-out allowable geometric tolerances of the design elements (S13).

[0089] 8 is a block diagram illustrating steps in a method for generating a digital design model of a part. The digital design model may be generated, for example, through a CAD program.

[0090] First, a color table is loaded containing multiple colors assigned according to a color coding system, with each color associated with further geometric information that defines the geometric tolerance (S20).

[0091] Next, at least one digital design model of the part is created (S21) that includes at least one design element having nominal dimensions. This step can be performed by a human user or in an at least partially automated manner.

[0092] Next, acceptable geometric tolerances for the design elements are selected, which are associated with prescribed colors via a color table (S22), preferably by a human user.

[0093] This color is then associated with the design element so that the surface of the design element has this color (S23). Thus, the digital design model provides information about the allowable geometric tolerance of the design element via this color and the color table.

[0094] Finally, the digital design model of the part is stored with the colors from the color table associated with the surfaces of the design elements (S24).

[0095] In the following, a computer program designed to generate a digital design model 1 that can incorporate geometric tolerances in a color-coded manner is described. In particular, the computer program can be a CAD program.

[0096] First, the computer program prepares a color table 3 having a plurality of colors 3.1 assigned according to a color coding system. The term "preparing" refers to loading and / or displaying the color table 3 on a graphical user interface of a computer device. Each color 3.1 is associated with further geometric information that defines a geometric tolerance.

[0097] The computer program prepares a design surface on the computer's graphical user interface, on which a user can create a digital design model 1 of the part. The design model 1 has at least one design element 2 with nominal dimensions.

[0098] To enable information regarding acceptable geometric tolerances to be added to the design element 2, an input option is provided that allows a user to associate geometric tolerance information with the design element 2. The input option can be, for example, an input field, a lookup table, or a selection menu.

[0099] After the user inputs the geometric tolerance information, the computer program determines the color 3.1 associated with the geometric tolerance information in the color table 3 based on the color table 3.

[0100] This determined color 3.1 is then associated with the design element 2 so that the surface 2.1 of the design element 2 is colored according to the selected color 3.1, and thus the digital design model 1 contains information about this color 3.1 and the allowable geometric tolerances of the design element 2 via the color table 3.

[0101] After receiving the store command, the digital design model 1 of the part is stored together with the colors 3.1 of the color table 3 associated with the surfaces 2.1 of the design elements 2.

[0102] The invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments, it being understood that many variations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0103] Reference Code List 1 Design model 2. Design Elements 2.1 Surface 3. Color Table 3.1 Color 4. Color Palette 4a First Color Palette 4b Second Color Palette 4.1 Starting color 4.2 End Color 5 Color Code 5.1 Primary Color Code Value 5.2 Secondary Color Code Values 5.3 Tertiary Color Code Values 6 color space regions 6.1 Center color 6.1.1 Primary Color Code Value 6.1.2 Secondary Color Code Values 6.1.3 Tertiary Color Code Values 6.2 Edge Color 10 Processing machine 11 Control Unit 11.1 Interface 12 Measuring equipment 13 Control Unit 13.1 Interface 20 Systems

Claims

1. 1. A computer-implemented method for controlling a manufacturing process for a part, comprising: - preparing (S10) a color table (3) comprising a plurality of colors (3.1) assigned according to a color coding system, each of which is associated with further geometric information defining a geometric tolerance; - preparing (S11) a digital design model (1) of a part comprising at least one design element (2) having nominal dimensions; wherein a surface (2.1) of the design element (2) is colored with a specific color (3.1) from the color table (3), and a geometric tolerance is associated with the design element (2) via the color (3.1) from the color table (3), the geometric tolerance indicating how much geometric deviation from a nominal dimension of the design element (2) is acceptable, and the method further comprises: a step (S12) in which the control unit (11) of the processing machine (10) for manufacturing said part loads the digital design model (1) of said part and reads out from the color table (3) the allowable geometric tolerances of said design elements (2) according to the colors of said surfaces (2.1) of said design elements (2); - controlling (S13) the manufacturing process carried out by said processing machine (10) based on said read-out acceptable geometric tolerances of said design elements (2); A method comprising:

2. after said step of controlling the manufacturing process carried out by said processing machine (10), using said color (3.1) associated with said design element (2) to carry out a measurement process on said part to check whether said acceptable geometric tolerance of said design element (2) defined by said color (3.1) is observed; The method of claim 1.

3. The color table (3) includes at least one color palette (4), the color palette (4) having a start color (4.1) defining a first end of the color palette (4) and an end color (4.2) defining a second end of the color palette (4), and at least some of the intermediate colors between the start color (4.1) and the end color (4.2) are associated with one or more sets of tolerance values ​​from a deviation chart.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The starting color (4.1) and the ending color (4.2) of the color palette (4) are defined by a numerical color code (5) including at least three color code values ​​(5.1, 5.2, 5.3), and the intermediate colors of the color palette (4) are formed by keeping constant two color code values ​​(5.1, 5.2), each having the starting color (4.1) and the ending color (4.2), for the intermediate colors, and varying a third color code value (5.3) to form different intermediate colors. The method of claim 3.

5. the consecutive intermediate colors of the color palette (4) are spaced equidistantly, and the integer difference value of the third color code values ​​(5.3) of pairs of two consecutive intermediate colors in the color palette (4) is the same; The method of claim 4.

6. The color table (3) includes a set of a plurality of color palettes (4), each having a start color (4.1) and an end color (4.2), the start color (4.1) and the end color (4.2) of the color palettes (4) being defined by a numerical color code (5) including at least three color code values ​​(5.1, 5.2, 5.3), the color palettes (4) of the set of color palettes each have a start color (4.1) having at least two color code values ​​(5.1, 5.3) that are the same, and the third color code value (5.2) is changed to change the start color (4.1) of the color palette (4).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. To the set of color palettes (4) values ​​of a tolerance dimension chart or deviation chart are associated, and in each case at least one column of the tolerance dimension chart or deviation chart is represented by a color palette (4) of the set of color palettes; The method of claim 6.

8. The color table (3) comprises at least one color space region (6) defined by a center color (6.1) having a numerical color code including at least three color code values ​​(6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3), with basic manufacturing information associated with the center color (6.1), and with each of the colors (6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3) located around the center color (6.1) in the color space region (6) and resulting from a gradual change of at least one color code value (6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3) of the numerical color code of the center color (6.1) being associated with one piece of detailed manufacturing information specifying the basic manufacturing information.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A system for manufacturing a part, comprising at least one processing machine (10) capable of performing a manufacturing process on a workpiece to manufacture said part, and a control unit (11) for controlling said processing machine (10), said control unit (11) comprising: - loading a color table (3) containing a plurality of colors (3.1) assigned according to a color coding system, each of which is associated with further geometric information defining a geometric tolerance; - loading a digital design model (1) of a part including at least one design element (2) with nominal dimensions; wherein a surface (2.1) of the design element (2) is colored with a specific color (3.1) from the color table (3), and a geometric tolerance indicating how much geometric deviation from a nominal dimension of the design element (2) is acceptable is associated with the design element (2) via the color (3.1) from the color table (3), and the control unit (11) further - reading out the allowable geometric tolerances of the design element (2) from the color table (3) according to the color of the surface (2.1) of the design element (2); - controlling the manufacturing process carried out by said machine (10) based on said read-out acceptable geometric tolerances of said design elements (2); A system configured to run

10. The system (20) comprises a measuring device (12) for measuring a part machined by the processing machine (10), the measuring device (12) including a control unit (13) configured to control a measurement process for measuring the part, the control unit (13) comprising: - loading said color table (3) containing a plurality of colors (3.1) assigned according to a color coding system, each of which is associated with further geometric information defining a geometric tolerance; - loading a digital design model (1) of a part including at least one design element (2) with nominal dimensions; wherein a surface (2.1) of the design element (2) is colored with a specific color (3.1) from the color table (3), and a geometric tolerance indicating how much geometric deviation from a nominal dimension of the design element (2) is acceptable is associated with the design element (2) via the color (3.1) from the color table (3), and the control unit (13) further - reading out the allowable geometric tolerances of the design element (2) from the color table (3) according to the color of the surface (2.1) of the design element (2); - controlling at least one measuring step in an area of ​​said part related to said design element (2) to check whether said geometrical tolerances determined by said color (3.1) of said design element (2) are respected; The system of claim 9 configured to execute:

11. A computer-implemented method for generating a digital design model (1) of a part, comprising: - loading (S20) a color table (3) containing a plurality of colors (3.1) assigned according to a color coding system, each of which is associated with further geometric information defining a geometric tolerance; - generating (S21) at least one digital design model (1) of a part comprising at least one design element (2) having nominal dimensions; - a step (S22) of selecting an acceptable geometric tolerance of the design element (2) associated with a defined color (3.1) via said color table (3); - assigning (S23) the color (3.1) associated with the selected geometrical tolerance to the design element (2) so that the surface (2.1) of the design element (2) has the color (3.1) and thus the digital design model (1) contains information about the acceptable geometrical tolerance of the design element (2) via the color (3.1) and the color table (3); - storing (S24) the digital design model (1) of the part together with the colors (3.1) of the color table (3) associated with the surfaces (2.1) of the design elements (2); A method comprising:

12. The color table (3) includes at least one color palette (4), the color palette (4) having a start color (4.1) defining a first end of the color palette (4) and an end color (4.2) defining a second end of the color palette (4), and at least some of the intermediate colors lying between the start color (4.1) and the end color (4.2) are associated with a set of values ​​from a tolerance or deviation chart. The method of claim 11.

13. the starting color (4.1) and the ending color (4.2) of the color palette (4) are defined by a numerical color code (5) comprising at least three color code values ​​(5.1, 5.2, 5.3), and the intermediate colors of the color palette (4) are formed in that two color code values ​​(5.1, 5.2) comprising the starting color (4.1) and the ending color (4.2) are kept constant for the intermediate color, and a third color code value (5.3) is varied to form different intermediate colors; The method of claim 12.

14. the successive intermediate colors of the color palette (4) are spaced equidistantly, and the integer difference value of the third color code value (5.3) of each of the successive intermediate colors in the color palette (4) is the same; The method of claim 13.

15. A computer program comprising commands, said computer program, when executed by a computer, - preparing a color table (3) containing a plurality of colors (3.1) assigned according to a color coding system, each of which is associated with further geometric information defining a geometric tolerance; - preparing, on a graphical user interface of said computer, a design surface on which a user can generate at least one digital design model (1) of a part comprising at least one design element (2) having nominal dimensions; - providing input options that allow a user to associate geometric tolerance information with said design element (2); - after the user has inputted geometric tolerance information, determining the color (3.1) associated with said geometric tolerance information from said color table (3); - assigning said determined color (3.1) to said design element (2) so that the surface (2.1) of said design element (2) has a coloring corresponding to said selected color (3.1), and thus said digital design model (1) contains information about the allowable geometric tolerances of said design element (2) via said color (3.1) and said color table (3); - after receiving a storage command, storing the digital design model (1) of the part together with the colors (3.1) of the color table (3) assigned to the surfaces (2.1) of the design elements (2); A computer program that causes the computer to execute the above.

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