Wire EDM Arc Path Editing Through Block-Based Program Revision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire electrical discharge machines face challenges in accurately editing machining programs, particularly when dealing with arc-shaped portions, as they require multiple steps for correction, increasing the workload and potential for errors.

Innovation Solution

A program editing device and method that divides the machining path into blocks with route information, allowing for intuitive editing on a display unit, where operators can change arc-shaped portions by calculating and revising the corresponding blocks based on user input, reducing the number of processing steps and improving accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the operator specifies multiple points in a corner portion and moves the selected point to a desired corrected position, then the machining path can be corrected, but the number of processing steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachining path accuracyVSAvoidnumber of processing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The machining path is divided into multiple blocks, each representing a specific section or feature (e.g., straight lines, arcs, corners). This segmentation allows the operator to directly select and edit individual blocks containing arc-shaped portions without needing to specify multiple points manually, thereby reducing the number of processing steps while maintaining machining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses graphical display of the machining path where blocks are visually represented. The operator can directly interact with the displayed block representation to initiate editing, eliminating the need for manual point specification and reducing operational complexity while preserving accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Shape

If the machining path includes arc-shaped portions, then the cut shape can be curved, but the opposing area changes causing deviation from the specified path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurved cut shapeVSAvoidpath following accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores correction data for arc-shaped portions during program creation or pre-processing. This correction information is embedded in the block data before machining begins, allowing the control device to automatically apply compensations during execution, thereby maintaining both curved shape capability and path following accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the actual machining results are compared with the specified path, and correction data is generated or adjusted based on this comparison. This feedback loop enables continuous improvement of path accuracy while maintaining the ability to produce curved shapes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11347199B2Program editing device, wire electrical discharge machine and program editing method

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 FANUC LTD

AI summary

A program editing device is configured such that, when an arc-shaped partial path is selected from a machining path displayed on a display unit based on route information of each of plural blocks, the program editing device calculates a change amount of the radius of curvature of the selected partial path in accordance with an operation of changing the state of the arc of the selected partial path and revises the block corresponding to the selected partial path based on the change amount.