초록 ▼

A manufacturing system includes a 3-dimensional computer system having memory. A graphics definition of an article is located in the system memory. The computer system includes an interface for defining a graphics virtual surface in the system memory. The computer system further includes computer ai

A manufacturing system includes a 3-dimensional computer system having memory. A graphics definition of an article is located in the system memory. The computer system includes an interface for defining a graphics virtual surface in the system memory. The computer system further includes computer aided design software for generating a graphics virtual member in the system memory where the virtual member incorporates at least a portion of the graphic virtual surface. Additionally the computer system includes computer aided manufacturing software for generating manufacturing instructions for manufacturing a tangible member corresponding to the virtual member. A numerically controlled machine tool suitable for machining the tangible part is interfaced with the computer system for receiving a control program corresponding to the manufacturing instruction for production of the tangible part by the numerically controlled machine tool.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of producing tools for forming and assembling an article from parts using a 3-dimensional graphics computer which comprises generating, in said 3-dimensional graphics computer, a definition of an article to be formed at least in part by a tool, said definition generated as a graphics data s

A method of producing tools for forming and assembling an article from parts using a 3-dimensional graphics computer which comprises generating, in said 3-dimensional graphics computer, a definition of an article to be formed at least in part by a tool, said definition generated as a graphics data set in a data base in said 3-dimensional graphics computer system, selecting at least a portion of the definition of said article in said 3-dimensional graphics computer, generating further data in said data base defining virtual images of component parts of tools which interact with said selected portions of said definition of said article, downloading said further data to a means for forming parts, operating said means for forming parts with said further data to form said component parts of tools, assembling said component parts of said tools into tools, operating said tools to form parts of said article generating, in said computer, from said description of said product, an assembly data model of means for forming a spatial reference system for assembling said parts of said article, and downloading said description of said spatial reference system plurality from said computer to means forming a physical spatial reference system for assembling said article, and positioning said parts of said article in said spatial reference system for assembly.