Part Program Generator for Surface Texture Measuring Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface texture measuring apparatuses using two-dimensional CAD data struggle to create part programs that avoid interference between the camera and the work piece, especially when measuring objects with large unevenness, as they lack three-dimensional shape information and cannot automatically recognize steps or projections on the displacement path.
Innovation Solution
A part program generating device that includes a sensor for non-contact measurement, a measurement condition definer for user input, and a part program generator that converts the measurement procedure into a control program with a 'circumvention move' command to safely displace the sensor around obstacles, calculating a safety height and path to avoid interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two-dimensional CAD data is used for off-line teaching, then the measurement procedure can be programmed efficiently, but the system cannot automatically recognize three-dimensional obstacles like steps or projections on the displacement path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional CAD data to three-dimensional CAD data, adding the Z-axis dimension to represent height information. This enables the system to detect obstacles like steps and projections on the displacement path, allowing automatic generation of safe measurement procedures that avoid collisions between the camera and workpiece features.
2Speed
If the camera is displaced directly from start point to target point, then the measurement speed is maximized, but the camera may collide with obstacles on the displacement path
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the displacement path using three-dimensional CAD data to detect obstacles before the camera actually moves. By预先 identifying steps or projections on the path, the system can pre-calculate safe displacement routes, allowing the camera to maintain high speed while avoiding collisions through proactive path planning.
3Reliability
If manual interference checking is performed to ensure camera safety, then collision risk is reduced, but the complexity and time required for part program creation increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic interference checking by utilizing three-dimensional CAD data to self-analyze the displacement path for obstacles. The measurement procedure automatically adjusts to avoid collisions without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining camera safety while significantly reducing the complexity and time of part program creation.
4Extent of automation
If three-dimensional CAD data is used instead of two-dimensional CAD data, then automatic obstacle recognition becomes possible, but the data processing complexity and system requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical interference checking with an automated computational system that processes three-dimensional CAD data. By using computer-based algorithms to analyze the displacement path and detect obstacles automatically, the system achieves high-level automation while managing data processing complexity through software rather than manual procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A part program generating device includes a CAD data memory storing CAD data of a work piece, a measurement condition definer receiving an input operation performed by a user and defining a measurement procedure, and a part program generator converting the measurement procedure defined by the measurement condition definer into a part program language. The measurement condition definer provides the user with, as a graphical user interface, an editing window capable of editing the measurement procedure in an editing language and a command icon providing a command to be used for defining the measurement procedure as an icon. The command icon includes a circumvention move command icon instructing to overcome a barrier when displacing a sensor from a start point to a target point.