Wire EDM Path Generation with Dummy Shape Reference

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wire electrical discharge machining, operators face difficulties in accurately checking the machining position of a keyway within a circular hole, leading to potential incorrect machining due to the inability of existing systems to visually confirm the positional relationship between the formed circular hole and the keyway.

Innovation Solution

A machining program creation apparatus generates both a machining path for the keyway and a dummy path representing the object's shape, allowing a generic machining path drawing device to display both, thereby enabling confirmation of the machining position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a generic machining path drawing device is used to display the machining path, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to display the workpiece shape and confirm machining position is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining path drawing deviceVSAvoidpositional relationship information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dummy machining path that copies the workpiece shape geometry. This dummy path is generated from the workpiece shape data and displayed alongside the actual machining path, allowing the generic drawing device to show both the workpiece shape and machining path without requiring specialized functionality. The dummy path serves as a visual reference that preserves the positional relationship information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If only the machining path is displayed, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision verification is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining path checkingVSAvoidmachining position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the display of the dummy machining path (representing workpiece shape) and the actual machining path into a single visual interface. Both paths are drawn on the same screen using the generic machining path drawing device, allowing operators to easily check the machining path while simultaneously verifying the machining position against the workpiece shape reference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3139232B1Machining program creation apparatus for wire electrical discharge machiine
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 FANUC LTD
  • EP3139232B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3139232B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3139232B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

A machining program creation apparatus for a wire electrical discharge machine for creating a machining program for cutting a predetermined machining shape in an object to be machined includes a machining shape definition unit defining the machining shape; a workpiece shape definition unit defining a shape of the object to be machined; a machining reference position designation unit designating a reference position to be used when the machining shape is machined; a first machining path generation unit for generating a first machining path for cutting the machining shape based on the machining shape, the shape of the object to be machined, and the machining reference position; a second machining path generation unit for generating the shape of the object to be machined as a second machining path based on the shape of the object to be machined and the machining reference position; and a machining path drawing unit for drawing the first and the second machining paths. The machining path drawing unit draws the first machining path and the second machining path on the same screen.