Occupying Structures Reduce Machining Volume in Multi-Object Workpieces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Machining multiple objects from a single workpiece is labor intensive and inefficient due to the need to load and unload individual workpieces from milling machines, resulting in excessive machining time and equipment wear.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the creation of a workpiece computer model with a temporary support frame and occupying structures that minimize the amount of material to be machined by strategically placing objects within the workpiece, reducing the volume of material that needs to be removed during machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple objects are machined from a single workpiece, then productivity increases, but the amount of material to be machined increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating occupying structures in advance within the workpiece model. These structures are positioned to fill excess unoccupied regions before the actual machining process begins, thereby pre-determining the final machined shape and reducing the volume of material that needs to be removed during machining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of material volume by introducing occupying structures that alter the effective volume of the workpiece. By modifying the workpiece model to include these structures, the actual machining operation processes less material, effectively changing the volume parameter from the original excess material to the optimized reduced volume.
2Loss of time
If occupying structures are added to fill excess unoccupied regions, then machining time is reduced, but the complexity of workpiece modeling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically generating occupying structures through computer software. The software identifies excess unoccupied regions in the workpiece model and autonomously creates appropriate occupying structures to fill them, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing the perceived complexity for the user while still achieving the optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical modeling processes with computer-based software automation. Instead of physically modeling or manually calculating optimal workpiece configurations, the system uses computational algorithms to automatically generate occupying structures, substituting mechanical/manual operations with digital processing.
3Ease of operation
If occupying structures are generated automatically, then ease of operation improves, but software complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The software system performs self-service by automatically identifying excess unoccupied regions and generating appropriate occupying structures without user intervention. This automation improves ease of operation as users simply need to provide the basic workpiece model and desired objects, while the software handles the complex optimization tasks independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The software acts as an intermediary between the user's simple input (workpiece model and object requirements) and the complex optimization process. It mediates by translating high-level user requirements into detailed occupying structure configurations, shielding users from software complexity while providing automated functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for providing a workpiece computer model including a plurality of objects defined in a body of material. A temporary support frame is provided as part of a two-sided machining process in which the workpiece is partially milled from an obverse side. The machine-control instructions are also based on one or more occupying structures added to the workpiece to fill in one or more excess unoccupied regions of the workpiece that would otherwise be machined away during machining of the objects. Providing such occupying structure(s) reduces the amount of machining that needs to be performed.