Cloud CAM System for Numerical Control Machine Tools
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software is limited by platform and hardware dependencies, requiring expensive installations and extensive user training, making it costly and difficult to use across different devices and locations.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based system that generates machining control data for numerical control machine tools using a server with integrated CAM software, a machine tool library, and a cutter-fixture library, accessible through a built-in browser on various devices via the Internet, allowing users to upload part models, select machining parameters, and generate executable program codes without local software installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If desktop client application software is used for CAM operations, then the software can provide comprehensive manufacturing procedures and strategies, but it requires expensive hardware installations, extensive user training, and cannot be easily accessed across different devices and locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between users and CAM software. The server hosts the comprehensive CAM software with all manufacturing procedures and strategies, while users access it through simple web browsers on various devices. This intermediary architecture allows full-featured CAM operations without requiring complex local installations or specialized hardware on user devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a web-based copy of the desktop CAM software functionality. Instead of requiring users to install the full desktop application, the system replicates CAM capabilities through web interfaces that can be accessed from any device with a browser, eliminating the need for platform-specific installations while maintaining comprehensive manufacturing capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If desktop CAM software is installed locally, then the software can be used offline, but it requires expensive commercial software purchases, operating system compatibility, and regular updates and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows users to access CAM software functionality through web browsers without requiring local installation, updates, or maintenance. The server automatically manages software updates and maintenance, while users simply access the service through their browsers. This eliminates the need for users to allocate resources for software acquisition, installation, and maintenance while maintaining ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The web-based platform provides universal access to CAM software functionality across all devices and operating systems. A single server installation serves multiple users on different devices (desktops, laptops, tablets, mobile phones) without requiring separate installations or compatibility adjustments, reducing overall software and maintenance costs while improving accessibility.
3Manufacturing precision
If comprehensive CAM software with multiple features is provided, then the software can handle complex manufacturing procedures, but the user interface becomes complex requiring extensive training and skill mastery
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the complex CAM software functionality into modular web-based interfaces. Each manufacturing operation (milling, turning, drilling, etc.) is presented as a separate, manageable task with its own simplified interface. This allows comprehensive manufacturing capabilities to be maintained while presenting information in digestible, easy-to-learn segments rather than overwhelming users with all features simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The web server acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of comprehensive CAM operations. It provides intelligent defaults, automated parameter selection, and guided workflows that handle complex manufacturing logic in the background, while presenting simplified interfaces to users. This maintains manufacturing precision through sophisticated software capabilities while reducing the user learning curve through intuitive web-based interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (100) and method for generating machining control data of a numerical control machine tool. The system (100) comprises a server (10) and at least one terminal device (30). The server (10) is installed with computer-aided manufacturing software, a numerical control machine tool model library and a cutter and fixture library. The terminal device (30) is connected to the server (10) through the Internet (20) to generate machining program data of a part model and/or to carry out machining simulation of a part model. The method for generating machining control data of a numerical control machine tool comprises: sending a part model file to the server (10) through the Internet (20); and generating program code that can be executed by the numerical control machine tool. The system (100) and the method have the beneficial technical effects of being convenient to operate, low in cost and flexible and easy to use and so on.