Automated determination of jet orientation parameters in three-dimensional fluid jet cutting

摘要

Methods, systems, and techniques for automatically determining jet orientation parameters to correct for potential deviations in three dimensional part cutting are provided. Example embodiments provide an Adaptive Vector Control System (AVCS), which automatically determines speeds and orientation parameters of a cutting jet to attempt to insure that a part will be cut within prescribed tolerances where possible. In one embodiment, the AVCS determines the tilt and swivel of a cutting head by mathematical predictive models that examine the cutting front for each of “m” hypothetical layers in a desired part, to better predict whether the part will be within tolerances, and to determine what corrective angles are needed to correct for deviations due to drag, radial deflection, and/or taper.

主权项

1. A method in a fluid jet apparatus control system for automatically determining and generating motion instructions to control a fluid jet cutting head to cut a three dimensional target part within one or more designated tolerances using a fluid jet, comprising:
receiving an indication of a geometry of the three dimensional target part, the geometry indicative of a jet entrance contour that is not the same as a jet exit contour, such that the fluid jet, when cutting, cuts the jet entrance contour and the jet exit contour from a workpiece in at least one of different speeds or in different directions; receiving an indication of at least one of a desired surface finish, quality, or speed; automatically determining, by examining at least one of speed or direction changes at a plurality of points along the depth of the intended cut of the jet through the workpiece determined from a point on the jet entrance contour to a point on the jet exit contour, whether the examined speed of direction changes at the plurality of points predicts an intended cut that has three dimensional curvature characteristics that are outside the designated tolerances when the target part is cut at speeds corresponding to the indicated desired surface finish, quality, or speed; when determined that the intended cut has three dimensional cut curvature characteristics outside the designated tolerances, automatically determining deviation correction angles to adjust orientation of the jet to produce a cut having three dimensional curvature characteristics that are within the designated tolerances; and automatically generating and storing one or more motion instructions or data that indicate desired movement of the cutting head, taking into account the determined deviation correction angles to adjust orientation of the jet.