Lumonics Inc.

Other

Dan Martin

Robert H Schmidt

A system for robotic control of an object having x, y and z axis translational movement and C and D axis rotational movement capability. The object, which may be a robotic element such as a manipulator or machining tool or a laser beam positioner is controlled by the system for automatic tracking and orientation of the object over the surface of a workpiece including automatically determining the normal vector to the surface of the workpiece. It provides controllable movement and orientation of the object along selectable axes for accurate tracking of the workpiece surface by the object. The system allows processing of the workpiece by the object even when the axis of the object is oriented at an angle other than normal to the surface of the workpiece. The system when used to control a laser beam provides for control of the of the focal point of the beam at a particular displacement from the machining nozzle tip, using a least mean squares curve fitting technique and a sampled capacitive sensing device operative in the refractory interval between laser pulses and further provides for identification of a mounting fixture unique to a workpiece by sensing coding on the surface of the fixture thereby to select a particular part machining program.

Robotic movement of object over a workpiece surface

Laser machining system with x, y and z axis translational movement and C and D axis rotational movement of a beam positioning device to perform automatic tracking over the surface of a workpiece at a constant distance utilizing a sampled capacitive sensing device operative in the refractory interval between laser pulses. The system also automatically determines the normal vector to the part surface and is controllable along a selectable axis for accurate tracking the focal point of the beam across the surface of the workpiece even when the beam is oriented at an angle other than normal to the surface of the workpiece. The system also provides for control of the of the focal point of the beam at a particular displacement from the machining nozzle tip, using a least means squares curve fitting technique and further provides for identification of a mounting fixture unique to a workpiece by sensing coding on the surface of the fixture thereby to select a particular part machining program.

Automatic control of laser beam tool positioning

A system and method for using a camera and an associated display means for facilitating the loading of the distinguishing characteristics of a workpiece into the control system for a machining system to allow machining of workpieces in accordance with a stored program.

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Dan Martin