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 fabrication method comprising:
 rendering a work project overlay within a first graphical user interface upon a display of the machine tool to an operator of a machine tool, the work project overlay comprising graphical representations of a plurality of piece parts forming a work project;   establishing a region of a work area of the machine tool through actions of the operator through a user interface of the machine tool, the region of the work area established by the operator with respect to the work project overlay;   rendering the region of the work area within the first graphical user interface;   acquiring a plurality of images of the region of the work area with a camera forming part of the machine tool to define a geometry of a sheet within the work area of the machine tool;   stitching the acquired plurality of images of the region of the work area together;   rendering the stitched images within the first graphical user interface together with the work project overlay and a representation of the region of the work area;   establishing selection of one or more piece parts within the work project overlay in dependence upon first actions of the operator through a user interface of the machine tool;   establishing a relocation of the work project overlay relative to the stitched images in dependence upon second actions of the operator through the user interface of the machine tool;   receiving an indication to process the selected one or more piece parts;   executing a predetermined process with a tool attached to a robot of the machine tool.   
     
     
         2 . The fabrication method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the predetermined process is one of:
 cutting and the tool is a laser cutter; 
 cutting and the tool is a plasma cutter; 
 welding and the tool is a welding system; 
 drilling and the tool is a drill. 
   
     
     
         3 . The fabrication method according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the camera is either:
 attached to the robot of the machine tool and is employed for both acquiring the images of the region of the work area and visualizing the predetermined process when executed with the tool attached to the robot; 
   or
 a different camera to that employed in visualizing the predetermined process when executed with the tool attached to the robot and is referenced to the robot of the machine tool. 
   
     
     
         4 . The fabrication method according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 generating a piece part of the one or more piece parts after rendering the work project overlay and the acquired plurality of images to the operator; wherein   the generation of the piece part is performed by the operator through a second graphical user interface; and   the second graphical user interface is one of the first graphical user interface and a graphical user interface upon a portable electronic device wirelessly connected to the machine tool.   
     
     
         5 . The fabrication method according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 generating a piece part of the one or more piece parts after rendering the work project overlay and the acquired plurality of images to the operator; wherein   the generation of the piece part is performed by a process comprising:
 imaging a series of visual indications made upon the sheet by an individual with the camera or a second camera; and 
 processing the series of visual indications to generate a profile for the piece part. 
   
     
     
         6 . The fabrication method according to  claim 5 , wherein
 a visual indication of the series of visual indications is one of:
 a freehand drawn line; 
 a freehand drawn line with an adjacent indication drawn by the individual, the adjacent indication identifying the freehand drawn line as a curve rather than one or more straight line segments; 
 a freehand drawn line with an adjacent marking drawn by the individual, the adjacent marking identifying the freehand drawn line as an element of a specific type; and 
 a series of freehand drawn lines which are interpreted as a continuous line. 
   
     
     
         7 . The fabrication method according to  claim 5 , wherein
 a visual indication of the series of visual indications is a freehand drawn line with an adjacent marking drawn by the individual; wherein   the adjacent marking indicates a specific function; and   the specific function is dependent upon the adjacent marking and the type of machine tool.   
     
     
         8 . The fabrication method according to  claim 5 , wherein
 at least one of:
 the visual indications are made within a predetermined colour where the predetermined colour is either defined by the machine tool or defined to the machine tool by the individual via a user interface; and 
 the machine tool automatically ignores markings of a predetermined colour or predetermined range of colours where the predetermined colour or the predetermined range of colours are established by the machine tool in dependence upon an identification of a material for the sheet entered by the individual. 
   
     
     
         9 . The fabrication method according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 generating a piece part of the one or more piece parts after rendering the work project overlay and the acquired plurality of images to the operator; wherein   the generation of the piece part is performed by a process comprising:
 receiving an indication from the user of a template file; 
 rendering the template file within a second graphical user interface upon the display of the machine tool; 
 receiving an indication of a selection of an element of the template file by the operator; 
 rendering only the selected element of the template file within the second graphical user interface; 
 receiving an indication of a manipulation of the selected element of the template file; and 
 rendering the manipulated selected element within the graphical user interface. 
   
     
     
         10 . The fabrication method according to  claim 9 , wherein
 at least one of:
 the template file is stored in a non-numerical control file format; 
 the machine tool processes any overlapping piece parts as a single piece part; and 
 the operator is able to add standard elements to the piece part. 
   
     
     
         11 . 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:
 render a work project overlay within a first graphical user interface upon a display of the machine tool to an operator of a machine tool, the work project overlay comprising graphical representations of a plurality of piece parts forming a work project; 
 establish a region of a work area of the machine tool through actions of the operator through a user interface of the machine tool, the region of the work area established by the operator with respect to the work project overlay; 
 render the region of the work area within the first graphical user interface; 
 acquire a plurality of images of the region of the work area with a camera forming part of the machine tool to define a geometry of a sheet within the work area of the machine tool; 
 stitch the acquired plurality of images of the region of the work area together; 
 render the stitched images within the first graphical user interface together with the work project overlay and a representation of the region of the work area; 
 establish selection of one or more piece parts within the work project overlay in dependence upon first actions of the operator through a user interface of the machine tool; 
 establish a relocation of the work project overlay relative to the stitched images in dependence upon second actions of the operator through the user interface of the machine tool; 
 receive an indication to process the selected one or more piece parts; 
 execute a predetermined process with a tool attached to a robot of the machine tool. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the predetermined process is one of:
 cutting and the tool is a laser cutter; 
 cutting and the tool is a plasma cutter; 
 welding and the tool is a welding system; 
 drilling and the tool is a drill. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the camera is either:
 attached to the robot of the machine tool and is employed for both acquiring the images of the region of the work area and visualizing the predetermined process when executed with the tool attached to the robot; 
   or
 a different camera to that employed in visualizing the predetermined process when executed with the tool attached to the robot and is referenced to the robot of the machine tool. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the first executable instructions further configure the machine tool to:
 generate a piece part of the one or more piece parts after rendering the work project overlay and the acquired plurality of images to the operator; wherein 
 the generation of the piece part is performed by the operator through a second graphical user interface; and 
 the second graphical user interface is one of the first graphical user interface and a graphical user interface upon a portable electronic device wirelessly connected to the machine tool. 
   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the first executable instructions further configure the machine tool to:
 generate a piece part of the one or more piece parts after rendering the work project overlay and the acquired plurality of images to the operator; wherein 
 the generation of the piece part is performed by a process comprising:
 image a series of visual indications made upon the sheet by an individual with the camera or a second camera; and 
 process the series of visual indications to generate a profile for the piece part. 
 
   
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 a visual indication of the series of visual indications is one of:
 a freehand drawn line; 
 a freehand drawn line with an adjacent indication drawn by the individual, the adjacent indication identifying the freehand drawn line as a curve rather than one or more straight line segments; 
 a freehand drawn line with an adjacent marking drawn by the individual, the adjacent marking identifying the freehand drawn line as an element of a specific type; and 
 a series of freehand drawn lines which are interpreted as a continuous line. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 a visual indication of the series of visual indications is a freehand drawn line with an adjacent marking drawn by the individual; wherein   the adjacent marking indicates a specific function; and   the specific function is dependent upon the adjacent marking and the type of machine tool.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 at least one of:
 the visual indications are made within a predetermined colour where the predetermined colour is either defined by the machine tool or defined to the machine tool by the individual via a user interface; and 
 the machine tool automatically ignores markings of a predetermined colour or predetermined range of colours where the predetermined colour or the predetermined range of colours are established by the machine tool in dependence upon an identification of a material for the sheet entered by the individual. 
   
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein
 the first executable instructions further configure the machine tool to:
 generate a piece part of the one or more piece parts after rendering the work project overlay and the acquired plurality of images to the operator; wherein 
 the generation of the piece part is performed by a process comprising:
 receive an indication from the user of a template file; 
 render the template file within a second graphical user interface upon the display of the machine tool; 
 receive an indication of a selection of an element of the template file by the operator; 
 render only the selected element of the template file within the second graphical user interface; 
 receive an indication of a manipulation of the selected element of the template file; and 
 render the manipulated selected element within the graphical user interface. 
 
   
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 19 , wherein
 at least one of:
 the template file is stored in a non-numerical control file format; 
 the machine tool processes any overlapping piece parts as a single piece part; and 
 the operator is able to add standard elements to the piece part.