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:
Sep. 24, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 26, 2000
William B. Scott, Rochelle, IL (US);
W.A. Whitney Co., Rockford, IL (US);
Abstract
A control system is provided for a laser-equipped machine tool which is capable of preventing self-burning. The temperature of the workpiece proximate the cut is monitored, and a numerical control compares the actual workpiece temperature to a prestored temperature limit, empirically determined, which is predictive of the onset of self-burning. If the workpiece temperature approaches or reaches the limit, an abort signal is generated. Upon generation of an abort signal the control processor deenergizes the laser to prevent commencement of self-burning. In addition the processor stores the cutting parameters and the coordinate locations of the aborted cut, so that the processor can later return to finish the cut, and sets a cool-down timer. The processor then causes movement to a next available cutting position, tests the temperature at that position, then commences cutting. When cutting in the second location is complete, if a cool-down timer has expired, the cutting head is traversed to the aborted position, and then the processor retrieves stored information and completes the cut.