CNC Billing Method Using Axis Trajectory and Material Removal Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
High initial investments for sophisticated equipment like computerized numerical control machines deter clients due to the financial burden, as existing billing methods rely on fixed purchase or leasing rates rather than the equipment's actual productivity or added value.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a pay-per-use billing method that calculates the invoice amount based on the machine's added value or productivity, such as the trajectory of its axes, volume of material removed from work pieces, and processing time, allowing clients to pay for the machine's value created during operation rather than a fixed price or rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed purchase price or leasing rate is charged for the computerized numerical control machine, then the machine provider receives a guaranteed income, but the client faces a high initial investment burden that deters purchase
Solution Approach 1:
The billing method transitions from a static fixed price or leasing rate to a dynamic pay-per-use model where the invoice amount varies based on actual machine usage and productivity metrics. This dynamic approach allows the machine provider to receive guaranteed income through minimum usage thresholds while enabling clients to pay only for actual value received, reducing initial investment burden
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the billing parameter from a fixed monetary amount to a variable amount based on multiple parameters including trajectory length, volume of material removed, and processing time. This parameter change enables the billing to reflect actual machine productivity and value creation, resolving the contradiction between provider income security and client investment burden
2Ease of manufacture
If the machine is paid for according to a fixed purchase price or leasing rate, then the billing structure is simple, but it does not reflect the actual value or productivity created by the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring machine operation parameters (trajectory, material removal volume, processing time) and using this information to dynamically adjust the billing amount. This feedback loop ensures the billing reflects actual value creation while maintaining automated calculation simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The billing system integrates multiple functions: it tracks machine usage, calculates productivity metrics, determines invoice amounts based on multiple parameters, and transmits billing information. This multi-functional approach maintains simplicity while capturing comprehensive value creation information
3Ease of operation
If the invoice amount is based on usage time only, then the billing calculation is straightforward, but it does not account for the productivity or added value generated during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The billing calculation is segmented into multiple independent components: trajectory length calculation, material removal volume measurement, processing time tracking, and final invoice amount computation. This segmentation maintains calculation simplicity while incorporating multiple productivity indicators to accurately reflect value creation
Data Source
AI summary
There is described an efficient and simple method of billing a client for using a computerized numerical control machine. The invoice amount to be billed is based on at least one trajectory of at least one axis during operation, on a volume of a stock removed from a work piece during operation, and on a processing time information related to working on the work piece. One concept of the method therefore is a pay-per-use concept relating the added value created by the computerized numerical control machine to the invoice amount.