Direct client initiated cnc tool setting

Abstract

Computer numerical control (CNC) machines execute a process automatically unless a condition occurs that triggers one or more alarms that terminate the process. Accordingly, CNC laser cutting post-process inspection is usually non-existent or minimal. However, with CNC laser welding it is more common for a visual inspection or automated inspection to be performed to verify that the process was completed. Similar issues occur when single piece parts are required in addition to which executing an offline inspection requires additional complexity in re-working any piece part. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide enterprises and facilities employing CNC laser cutting/welding systems with a means to overcome these limitations. Further, providing intuitive user interfaces allows the user to perform tasks directly through a touch screen interface they are viewing the work piece/piece-parts upon.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 automatically inspecting a piece-part processed by a computer numerical control (CNC) machine once a predetermined process with the CNC machine has been completed comprising re-executing at least one movement of at least one of a platform supporting the piece-part forming a first part of the CNC machine and a tool forming a second part of the CNC machine, wherein   the movement is part of the predetermined process; and   the CNC machine tool captures an image of a plurality of images at least one of during the movement and upon completion of the movement.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the image of the plurality of images are transmitted from the CNC machine tool via a network to at least one of a remote server for storage and to a remote system associated with at least one of a first enterprise purchasing the piece-part and a second enterprise manufacturing the piece-part.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 receiving a re-work command in association the image of the plurality of images;   re-positioning the CNC machine, tool and piece-part in dependence upon a location on the piece-part associated with the image;   performing a re-work of the piece-part; and   capturing a re-work image of the piece-part at the location associated with the image of the plurality of images.   
     
     
         4 . A method comprising:
 executing a first series of movements of a machine tool relative to one or more piece parts being processed;   executing a first series of machine tool processes with a first predetermined tool of the machine tool with respect to the one or more piece parts to generate one or more processed piece parts;   re-executing the first series of movements of the machine relative to the one or more processed piece parts;   re-performing the first series of machine tool processes but with a camera instead of the first predetermined tool and acquire images of the regions of the one or more processed piece parts which were subject to the first series of machine tool processes; and   storing the acquired images within a database in association with an identifier of the piece-part.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising
 generating a unique identifier for the processed piece-part with the machine tool;   executing a second series of machine tool processes with a second predetermined tool of the machine tool to form a representation of the unique identifier within or upon the processed piece-part.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising
 establishing a process of the first series of machine tool processes as defective;   establishing a subset of the acquired images relating to that portion of the processed piece-part processed with the process of the first series of machine tool processes;   transmitting either the subset of the acquired images or the acquired images to an enterprise for whom the processed piece-part is being manufactured;   establishing an indication of an acceptance or a rejection of the processed piece part by the enterprise; and   upon establishing a rejection of the processed piece part performing a re-work process upon the processed piece part.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising
 establishing a process of the first series of machine tool processes as defective;   establishing a subset of the acquired images relating to that portion of the processed piece-part processed with the process of the first series of machine tool processes;   establishing selection of an advice option by an operator of the machine tool;   upon selection of the advice option transmitting either the subset of the acquired images or the acquired images to an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the machine tool; and   receiving data from the OEM; wherein   the data relates to at least one of first data relating to re-working the processed piece-part and second data relating to an adjustment of one or more settings for the predetermined tool for one or more processes of the first series of machine tool processes.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising
 establishing a process of the first series of machine tool processes as defective;   establishing a subset of the acquired images relating to that portion of the processed piece-part processed with the process of the first series of machine tool processes;   establishing selection of an advice option by an operator of the machine tool;   upon selection of the advice option transmitting either the subset of the acquired images or the acquired images to a machine tool user community in conjunction with data relating to the one or more piece parts and the first series of machine tool processes;   receiving data from a member of the machine tool user community; wherein   the data relates to at least one of first data relating to re-working the processed piece-part and second data relating to an adjustment of one or more settings for the predetermined tool for one or more processes of the first series of machine tool processes.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising
 establishing a process of the first series of machine tool processes as defective;   establishing a subset of the acquired images relating to that portion of the processed piece-part processed with the process of the first series of machine tool processes;   establishing selection of an advice option by an operator of the machine tool;   upon selection of the advice option transmitting either the subset of the acquired images or the acquired images to an online community associated with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the machine tool in conjunction with data relating to the one or more piece parts and the first series of machine tool processes;   receiving data from the online community; wherein   the data relates to one or more upgraded processes of the first series of machine tool processes; and   the one or more upgraded processes were initially established by another operator upon another machine tool from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) which were provided to the OEM and verified by the OEM through a verification process performed by the OEM.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising
 presenting the acquired images to an operator;   establishing one or more locations on the processed piece part in dependence upon indications made by the operator together with an indication of a new process to be performed;   executing the new process upon the one or more locations of the processed piece part.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising
 presenting to an operator one or more images associated with the one or more piece parts to be processed together with indications of the first series of machine tool processes to be performed;   establishing one or more locations established in dependence upon indications made by the operator with respect to the one or more images;   executing the machine tool process at the one or more locations in addition to the first series of machine tool processes.   
     
     
         12 . A system comprising:
 an original equipment manufacturer's (OEM's) machine tool comprising a first microprocessor, a user interface, a first memory storing first executable instructions for execution by the second microprocessor and a first network interface for interfacing the machine tool to a communications network, wherein the first executable instructions configure the machine tool to:
 execute a first series of movements of the machine tool relative to one or more piece parts being processed; 
 execute a first series of machine tool processes with a first predetermined tool of the machine tool with respect to the one or more piece parts to generate one or more processed piece parts; 
 re-execute the first series of movements of the machine relative to the one or more processed piece parts; 
 re-perform the first series of machine tool processes but with a camera instead of the first predetermined tool and acquire images of the regions of the one or more processed piece parts which were subject to the first series of machine tool processes; and 
 store the acquired images within a database in association with an identifier of the piece-part. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the first executable instructions further configure the machine tool to:
 generate a unique identifier for the processed piece-part with the machine tool; 
 execute a second series of machine tool processes with a second predetermined tool of the machine tool to form a representation of the unique identifier within or upon the processed piece-part. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the first executable instructions further configure the machine tool to:
 establish a process of the first series of machine tool processes as defective; 
 establish a subset of the acquired images relating to that portion of the processed piece-part processed with the process of the first series of machine tool processes; 
 transmit either the subset of the acquired images or the acquired images to an enterprise for whom the processed piece-part is being manufactured; 
 establish an indication of an acceptance or a rejection of the processed piece part by the enterprise; and 
 upon establishing a rejection of the processed piece part performing a re-work process upon the processed piece part. 
   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the first executable instructions further configure the machine tool to:
 establish a process of the first series of machine tool processes as defective; 
 establish a subset of the acquired images relating to that portion of the processed piece-part processed with the process of the first series of machine tool processes; 
 establish selection of an advice option by an operator of the machine tool; 
 upon selection of the advice option transmitting either the subset of the acquired images or the acquired images to an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the machine tool; and 
 receive data from the OEM; wherein 
 the data relates to at least one of first data relating to re-working the processed piece-part and second data relating to an adjustment of one or more settings for the predetermined tool for one or more processes of the first series of machine tool processes. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the first executable instructions further configure the machine tool to:
 establish a process of the first series of machine tool processes as defective; 
 establish a subset of the acquired images relating to that portion of the processed piece-part processed with the process of the first series of machine tool processes; 
 establish selection of an advice option by an operator of the machine tool; 
 upon selection of the advice option transmitting either the subset of the acquired images or the acquired images to a machine tool user community in conjunction with data relating to the one or more piece parts and the first series of machine tool processes; 
 receive data from a member of the machine tool user community; wherein 
 the data relates to at least one of first data relating to re-working the processed piece-part and second data relating to an adjustment of one or more settings for the predetermined tool for one or more processes of the first series of machine tool processes. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the first executable instructions further configure the machine tool to:
 establish a process of the first series of machine tool processes as defective; 
 establish a subset of the acquired images relating to that portion of the processed piece-part processed with the process of the first series of machine tool processes; 
 establish selection of an advice option by an operator of the machine tool; 
 upon selection of the advice option transmitting either the subset of the acquired images or the acquired images to an online community associated with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the machine tool in conjunction with data relating to the one or more piece parts and the first series of machine tool processes; 
 receive data from the online community; wherein 
 the data relates to one or more upgraded processes of the first series of machine tool processes; and 
 the one or more upgraded processes were initially established by another operator upon another machine tool from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) which were provided to the OEM and verified by the OEM through a verification process performed by the OEM. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the first executable instructions further configure the machine tool to:
 present the acquired images to an operator; 
 establish one or more locations on the processed piece part in dependence upon indications made by the operator together with an indication of a new process to be performed; 
 execute the new process upon the one or more locations of the processed piece part. 
   
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the first executable instructions further configure the machine tool to:
 present to an operator one or more images associated with the one or more piece parts to be processed together with indications of the first series of machine tool processes to be performed; 
 establish one or more locations established in dependence upon indications made by the operator with respect to the one or more images; 
 execute the machine tool process at the one or more locations in addition to the first series of machine tool processes.