The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 09, 1992
Filed:
Jun. 08, 1989
Donald R Riley, Edina, MN (US);
Barney Klamecki, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Jeong-Ho Ahn, Seoul, KR;
Yang Zhu, St. Paul, MN (US);
Elizabeth D Rekow, Fridley, MN (US);
Arthur G Erdman, New Brighton, MN (US);
Regents of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the automated machining of three dimensional objects of complex and unique geometry. A computer acquires data describing an object and its surroundings and then guides a milling machine in the fabrication of the reproduction. The present invention discloses a method for preventing tool paths generated in a computer from erroneously intersecting with surface patches representing an object to be machined. The present invention also discloses methods for optimizing tool path step lengths, machine tool commands, and tool path scallop heights. In addition, the present invention discloses a method for fixturing a workpiece material to be shaped into a reproduction of a object.