Determining an operating path of a tool in relation to a

Abstract

For determining a path of movement of a tool along shoe bottom marginal portions a series of points along such path is selected and information regarding such points stored in the form of digitized co-ordinate axis values by a computer, from which information the path can subsequently be derived. The selected points are spaced by a predetermined distance (which may be the same for each pair of adjacent points) regardless of shoe bottom contour. To this end, when each point is digitized, the tool and shoe bottom are relatively moved apart by the predetermined distance along a first axis, extending heightwise of the shoe bottom. Thereafter in returning the tool and shoe bottom into engagement along said one dimension under operator control, appropriate compensating movement also takes place automatically along a lengthwise axis and/or along widthwise axis. In addition, relative movement may also be effected between the tool and surface under operator control along said widthwise axis, compensating movement then automatically taking place along said lengthwise axis. In either case, the compensating movement serves to maintain the predetermined distance between the tool and the workpiece surface.