Cloud API Expertise Integration for Industrial Cutting Programs

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Automated cutting systems face limitations in productivity, flexibility, and effectiveness due to lack of access to the latest software-based technologies, improper implementation, and siloed expertise that hinders collaboration and continuous improvement.

Innovation Solution

A cloud-based expertise integration system that delivers supplier expertise via APIs, allowing for optimized part program designs and processing parameters to be generated and applied on industrial cutting systems, enabling real-time updates and collaboration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If end users implement software-based techniques locally, then they can access cutting parameters, but implementation is often improper or incomplete due to lack of capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation qualityVSAvoiduser capability requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud-based expertise integration system that acts as an intermediary between suppliers and end users. This system receives part programs, applies expertise data to optimize cutting parameters, and returns improved programs. This mediator eliminates the need for end users to have deep software capabilities while ensuring proper implementation of cutting techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables automatic optimization of part programs through cloud-based expertise integration. The expertise integration system autonomously analyzes part programs, applies appropriate cutting parameters and techniques, and generates optimized programs without requiring manual intervention from end users, thereby ensuring consistent quality implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If updates are delivered through traditional licensing channels, then suppliers can distribute software updates, but end users rarely stay up-to-date and updates are delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware currencyVSAvoidupdate delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the cloud-based expertise integration system continuously receives usage data from end users' cutting systems and sends back optimized part programs and expertise data. This continuous feedback loop ensures that updates and improvements are automatically delivered and applied, keeping end users current with the latest techniques without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes continuous connectivity between the cloud-based expertise integration system and end user systems. The system continuously monitors, updates, and optimizes part programs in real-time or near-real-time, ensuring that cutting parameters are always current without the delays associated with traditional periodic licensing updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If expertise remains siloed in individual systems, then each system maintains its own data, but collaboration and global expertise growth are hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollaborative capabilityVSAvoidexpertise sharing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges individual system expertise data into a centralized cloud-based expertise integration system. Multiple end users' cutting systems contribute data to the cloud platform, which consolidates and analyzes this information to generate improved part programs and expertise data that are then distributed back to all users, creating a collaborative ecosystem where expertise grows collectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cloud-based expertise integration system serves multiple functions: it collects data from various end users, analyzes expertise patterns across different applications, generates optimized part programs for different cutting scenarios, and distributes updates to multiple systems. This universal platform enables collaboration across the entire supplier and user community rather than isolating expertise in single systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If cloud-based expertise integration is implemented, then optimal cutting parameters are always current, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter optimalityVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cloud-based expertise integration system acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of data collection, analysis, and optimization in the cloud, while presenting a simple interface to end users. The system receives part programs, automatically applies expertise data, and returns optimized programs without requiring users to understand or manage the underlying complexity of the expertise integration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3921786B1Systems and methods for cloud-based expertise delivery via apis
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 HYPERTHERM INC
  • EP3921786B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3921786B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3921786B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for processing a part from a workpiece using an industrial cutting system. The method includes receiving first data corresponding to the part to be processed from the workpiece using the industrial cutting system. The method further includes receiving second data corresponding to expertise data generated over a time period. The method also includes identifying features of the part based on the first data and the second data. The method further includes generating a part program design including geometry data and processing parameters for at least one of the features of the part. The method also includes processing the part from the workpiece using the industrial cutting system based on the part program design.