U.S. patent application number 13/895193 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-24 for methods for finishing surfaces using tool center point shift techniques.
This patent application is currently assigned to Apple Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Collin D. Chan.
Application Number | 20140113525 13/895193 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50485750 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140113525 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chan; Collin D. |
April 24, 2014 |
METHODS FOR FINISHING SURFACES USING TOOL CENTER POINT SHIFT
TECHNIQUES
Abstract
The described embodiments relate generally to lapping, polishing
or sanding operations of three dimensional objects having curved
surfaces. More specifically, methods and apparatuses are described
for providing a smooth and consistent looking surface along curved
or spline shaped features. In some embodiments, a robot arm is used
in conjunction with a computer numerical control (CNC) machine.
Methods involve varying the location of a tool center point with
respect to a finishing tool depending on the location of the
finishing tool with respect to the tool control path.
Inventors: |
Chan; Collin D.; (San Jose,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Apple Inc. |
Cupertino |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Apple Inc.
Cupertino
CA
|
Family ID: |
50485750 |
Appl. No.: |
13/895193 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61785371 |
Mar 14, 2013 |
|
|
|
61717080 |
Oct 22, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
451/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25J 9/1679 20130101;
G05B 2219/50207 20130101; G05B 2219/50356 20130101; B24B 9/00
20130101; G05B 2219/45202 20130101; B24B 27/0038 20130101; B24B
19/26 20130101; G05B 19/19 20130101; G05B 2219/45062 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
451/5 |
International
Class: |
B24B 51/00 20060101
B24B051/00 |
Claims
1. A method for finishing a surface of a part, the method
comprising: positioning the part in a computer numerical control
(CNC) tool, wherein the part has at least one curved surface
adjacent to at least one flat surface; and finishing the surface of
the part by moving a finishing tool along a tool control path that
travels along the at least one flat surface and the at least one
curved surface, wherein the finishing tool rotates about an axis
substantially normal to the at least one curved and at least one
flat surfaces during the finishing, wherein during the finishing a
location of a tool center point (TCP) varies with respect to the
finishing tool depending on the location of the finishing tool with
respect to the tool control path.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tool control path moves the
finishing tool in an orientation that is substantially normal to
the surface of the part.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the finishing tool travels along
the tool control path a substantially constant speed.
4. The method of claim 1, tool control path moves the finishing
tool from a first flat surface to a first curved surface and to a
second flat surface.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first curved surface is an
edge of the part.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first curved surface is a
corner of the part.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein after the finishing the part has
substantially no visually detectable defects related to the
finishing process along the tool control path.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the part is a thermoplastic
molded part.
9. A system for finishing a surface of a part, comprising: a
computer numerical control (CNC) tool configured to finish the
surface of the part; and a robotic arm positioned on the CNC tool,
the robotic arm configured to maneuver a finishing tool positioned
on an end of the robotic arm in a three dimensional tool control
path along the surface of the part, the three dimensional tool
control path including a path that travels along at least one flat
surface and the at least one curved surface of the part, the
robotic arm configured to rotate the finishing tool about an axis
substantially normal to the at least one curved surface and the at
least one flat surface during a finishing operation, wherein the
CNC tool is configured to vary a tool center point (TCP) of the
finishing tool depending on the location of the finishing tool with
respect to the three dimensional tool control path during the
finishing operation.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the part has at least one edge
that has a curved surface between a first flat surface and a second
flat surface, wherein the CNC tool is configured to maneuver the
finishing tool in a tool control path that travels from the first
flat surface to the curved surface to the second flat surface.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the CNC tool is configured to
maneuver the robotic arm such that the TCP is at a first location
while the polishing tool polishes the first flat surface and moves
to a second location while the polishing tool polishes the curved
surface and moves to a third location while the polishing tool
polishes the second flat surface.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the movement of the TCP from
the first location to the second location and to the third location
is continuous.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the part is a thermoplastic
molded part.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the part is a metal part.
15. The method of claim 9, further comprising: a dispenser
configured to dispense fluid onto the part during the
polishing.
16. A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing a
computer program executable by a processor for finishing a surface
of a part, comprising: computer code for finishing the surface of
the part on a computer numerical control (CNC) tool, the computer
code configured to maneuver a finishing tool positioned on a
robotic arm of the CNC machine along a tool control path that
travels along at least one flat surface and at least one curved
surface of the part, wherein the computer code is configured to
rotate the finishing tool about an axis substantially normal to the
at least one flat and at least one curved surfaces during the
finishing, wherein during the finishing a location of a tool center
point (TCP) varies with respect to the finishing tool depending on
the location of the finishing tool with respect to the tool control
path.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the computer code for moving a
finishing tool along a tool control path comprises computer code
for maneuvering a robotic arm of the CNC tool in three dimensions
along the tool control path.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the tool control path moves the
finishing tool in an orientation that is substantially normal to
the surface of the part.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the finishing tool is
positioned on an end of the robotic arm.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the TCP is established as a
datum point for orienting the movement of the robot in three
dimensions.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/785,371,
filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled "METHODS FOR FINISHING SURFACES USING
TOOL CENTER POINT SHIFT TECHNIQUES" and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/717,080, filed Oct. 22, 2012, entitled "METHODS
FOR FINISHING SURFACES USING TOOL CENTER POINT SHIFT TECHNIQUES,"
which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and
for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS
[0002] The described embodiments relate generally to lapping,
polishing or sanding operations for cosmetic surfaces of a three
dimensional object having cosmetic curved surfaces. More
specifically, methods and apparatuses are described for providing a
smooth and consistent looking surface along curved or spline shaped
features.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The proliferation of high volume manufactured, portable
electronic devices has encouraged innovation in both functional and
aesthetic design practices for enclosures that encase such devices.
Manufactured devices can include a casing that provides an
ergonomic shape and aesthetically pleasing visual appearance
desirable to the user of the device. The enclosures can include
three-dimensional curved surfaces in certain portions, such as at
the edges and corners of the enclosures, which can enhance the look
and feel of the devices.
[0004] The surfaces of the device enclosures are generally polished
or sanded in order to provide a fine polished surface or reflective
finish. On three-dimensional surfaces composed of splines or
curvatures, it can be difficult to polish these complex surfaces to
a uniform surface appearance. Prior techniques can result in a
tacitly smooth finish but that can leave undesirable visual
variations in surface appearance, especially at curved regions of
the enclosures.
SUMMARY
[0005] This paper describes various embodiments relating to methods
and apparatuses for providing a smooth and consistent surface along
curved or spline shaped features. Methods involve varying the
location of an identified tool center point with respect to a
finishing tool during a finishing operation.
[0006] According to one embodiment described herein, a method for
finishing a curved surface of a part is described. The method can
involve positioning the part in a computer numerical control (CNC)
tool. The part can have at least one curved surface adjacent to at
least one flat surface. The method also includes finishing the
surface of the part by moving a finishing tool along a tool control
path that travels along the flat surface and the curved surface.
The finishing tool rotates about an axis which is substantially
normal to the at least one curved and at least one flat surfaces
during the finishing. Also during the finishing, a location of a
tool center point (TCP) varies with respect to the finishing tool
depending on the location of the finishing tool with respect to the
tool control path.
[0007] According to another embodiment, a method for polishing an
edge of a part that has a curved surface between a first flat
surface and a second flat surface is described. The method can
involve positioning the part in a CNC tool. Then, the edge is
polished by moving a polishing tool along a tool control path that
travels from the first flat surface to the curved surface to the
second flat surface. During the polishing, the polishing tool
rotates about an axis substantially normal to the curved surface
and the first and second flat surfaces. A location of a TCP can
vary with respect to the finishing tool depending on the location
of the finishing tool with respect to the tool control path.
[0008] According to further embodiment, a non-transitory computer
readable medium for storing a computer program executable by a
processor for finishing a surface of a part is described. The part
can have at least one curved surface adjacent to at least one flat
surface. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes
computer code for positioning the part in a CNC tool. The
non-transitory computer readable medium also includes computer code
for finishing the surface of the part by moving a finishing tool
along a tool control path that travels along the at least one flat
surface and the at least one curved surface. The finishing tool can
rotate about an axis substantially normal to the at least one
curved and at least one flat surfaces during the finishing. During
the finishing, a location of a TCP can vary with respect to the
finishing tool depending on the location of the finishing tool with
respect to the tool control path.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The described embodiments may be better understood by
reference to the following description and the accompanying
drawings. Additionally, advantages of the described embodiments may
be better understood by reference to the following description and
accompanying drawings. These drawings do not limit any changes in
form and detail that may be made to the described embodiments. Any
such changes do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
described embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 1A shows a robot arm configured with a finishing tool
for polishing, lapping or sanding a part.
[0011] FIG. 1B shows a close-up side view of a robot arm
assembly.
[0012] FIGS. 2A-2F show partial views of part being processing
using a finishing tool.
[0013] FIGS. 3A-3B show close-up side views of a part finished
according to the process shown in FIGS. 2A-2E.
[0014] FIGS. 4A-4F show partial views of a part being processed by
a finishing tool during a finishing operation in accordance with
described embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing process steps for finishing a
surface of a part in accordance with described embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electronic device suitable
for controlling some of the processes in the described
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Representative applications of methods and apparatus
according to the present application are described in this section.
These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in
the understanding of the described embodiments. It will thus be
apparent to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments
may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In
other instances, well known process steps have not been described
in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described
embodiments. Other applications are possible, such that the
following examples should not be taken as limiting.
[0018] In the following detailed description, references are made
to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description
and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific
embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although
these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one
skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is
understood that these examples are not limiting; such that other
embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments.
[0019] High volume manufactured electronic devices can include
computer numerically controlled (CNC) machined parts with various
geometrically shaped surfaces. The machined parts can be finished
using one or more robotic tools, including using surface finishing
processes such as lapping, sanding and polishing one or more
surfaces of the part. Representative electronic devices can include
portable media players, portable communication devices, and
portable computing devices, such as an iPod.RTM., iPhone.RTM.,
iPad.RTM., and MacBook Air.RTM. as well as desktop products
including an iMac.RTM. and a Mac Pro.RTM., and other electronic
devices manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Both the
tactile and visual appearance of an electronic device can enhance
the desirability of the electronic device to the consumer.
[0020] The machining operations described herein involve lapping,
sanding or polishing of one or more surfaces of a part, such as an
enclosure of an electronic device, to imbue the part a pleasing
overall look and feel. The lapping, sanding or polishing procedures
can be generally referred to as finishing operations that can
provide smooth and consistent finished surface. The finishing
processes can be applied to numerous types of materials such as
metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) and injection molded
thermoplastics. The surfaces can have various geometrical shapes.
The methods disclosed herein can be used to provide refined highly
polished surfaces even at curved or spline shaped surfaces of the
part. Curved regions can transition smoothly into flat regions
including along corner areas without any visual change in surface
appearance. In accordance with some embodiments, the finishing
operation can be performed on an edge or a corner of a part. The
finishing procedures can be accomplished using a CNC machine
configured for finishing a surface of a part. In some embodiments,
a robotic arm is used as part of the CNC machine. The robotic arm
can maneuver a finishing tool with relation to the part being
polished or sanded.
[0021] FIG. 1A shows a five axis robotic arm 100 in accordance with
described embodiments. A five axis robotic arm such as the one
depicted in FIG. 1A can be configured to accurately maneuver a
finishing tool along a surface of a part. This maneuvering can be
referred to as a tool control path. In a finishing or polishing
operation, the tool control path moves finishing tool 112 in an
orientation that is substantially normal to the surface of the
part. Robot arm 100 can be maneuvered in at least axes 102, 104,
106, 108 and 110. In this way, finishing tool 112 can be maneuvered
along flat as well as three dimensional surfaces of the part, such
as curved or spline shaped surfaces. Finishing tool 112 can rotate
about axis 114 and contact the surface of the part along the tool
control path, thereby sanding or polishing the surface of the part.
In wet sanding operations, finishing tool 112 can be used in
conjunction with a fluid that can be dispensed from a dispenser
(e.g. tube) positioned on or off of robot arm 100. In some cases
the fluid can lubricate finishing tool 112 during a finishing
process. In accordance with one embodiment, the fluid includes
abrasive particles that abrade the surface of the part during a
finishing process.
[0022] Generally, a tool center point (TCP) of a robot, such robot
arm 100, is established as a datum point for orienting the movement
of the robot with respect to three-dimensional space. That is, the
TCP can be defined as the datum position of the robot wrist
established, for example, by the robot manufacturer to which a
tool/part can be mounted to during a particular operation. The end
of the part can then be set as the new tool center point for the
robot and tool/part assembly. For example, FIG. 1B illustrates a
close-up side view of a robot arm assembly 118 which includes a
robot arm 120 and end effector 122. End effector 122 includes a
holder 128 and finishing tool 130. The robot manufacturer can
establish a first TCP location 124 located at the end of robot arm
120. When end effector 122 is added to robot arm 120, TCP location
can be changed to a second location 126 located at the end of
finishing tool 130, which comes into contact with a part. The TCP
of finishing tool 130 can be configured to be the datum point
controlling the tool control path of finishing tool 130 as it
contacts the surface of the part. The TCP can be specified in
Cartesian, cylindrical, spherical, or other suitable coordinates.
The TCP can be stored as a value in a computer algorithm
controlling the movement of a machine, such robot arm assembly
118.
[0023] FIGS. 2A-2F show partial views of part 202 being processed
by finishing tool 112 during a finishing operation. Finishing tool
112 is configured to have the TCP 204 located at the center of the
front surface of finishing tool 112. In FIGS. 2A-2F, finishing tool
112 is rotated about axis 114 (shown in FIG. 1) as it contacts part
202. At FIG. 2A, finishing tool 112 contacts and finishes flat
vertical surface 206 of part 202. At FIG. 2B, TCP 204 of finishing
tool 112 reaches a curved surface 210 of part 202 and is rotated to
follow curved surface 210. At FIG. 2C, TCP 204 has continued is
movement along curved regions 210 and has reached the center of
curved surface 210. At FIG. 2D, finishing tool 112 is completing
the finishing of curved surface 210 and is moving towards flat
horizontal surface 208. At FIG. 2E, finishing tool 112 has
completed finishing of curved surface 210 and is finishing flat
horizontal surface 208. Note that during the finishing process
presented in FIGS. 2A-2E, TCP 204 is fixed. In particular, TCP 204
is consistently located at the center of front surface of finishing
tool 112. As shown in FIG. 2F, this fixed TCP configuration can
create defects 212 at portions of the surface of part 202, in
particular, the regions coming into and out of curved surface 210.
A close up view of these defects and other defects can be seen at
FIG. 3A-3B and described below.
[0024] FIG. 3A shows a close-up side view of a part 202 finished
according to the process shown in FIGS. 2A-2F. As shown, curved
surface 210, flat vertical surface 206 and flat horizontal surface
208 of part 202 are polished to a smooth finish. However, defects
or artifacts 312 positioned at either side of curved surface 210
can formed. Defects 312 can be in the form of breaks or steps where
the surface is uneven and can be visible as lines on the surface of
part 202. Defects may or may not be tactilely detectable. Defects
312 can be caused by the increase of angular velocity of finishing
tool 112 as finishing tool 112 moves from flat vertical surface 206
to curved surface 210, then from curved surface 210 to flat
horizontal surface 208. Due to the linear motion of the finishing
tool 112 along the flat surfaces 206/208 to/from corner surface
210, the pivoting motion approaching curved surface 210 can lead to
discrete changes in surface texture due to the change in motion.
Put another way, the dwell time of finishing tool 112 abruptly
increases as it moves from flat vertical surface 206 to curved
surface 210. Similarly, the dwell time of finishing tool 112
abruptly decreases as it moves from curved surface 210 to flat
horizontal surface 208. These abrupt changes can cause the defects
or artifacts 312 at these transition points along the surface of
part 202. FIG. 3B shows a close up view of part 202 showing
inconsistent finishing marks 314 at curved surface 210 compared to
consistent finishing marks 316 at flat surfaces 206 and 208.
[0025] Methods described herein provide a smooth and consistent
polished surface along flat or straight surfaces and curved or
spline shaped surfaces, as well as transition regions between the
flat surfaces and curved surfaces. FIGS. 4A-4F show partial views
of part 402 being processed by finishing tool 112 during a
finishing operation in accordance with described embodiments.
Finishing tool 112 is configured to have the TCP 404 located at the
varying locations of finishing tool 112. As shown in FIG. 4A, when
finishing tool 112 is polishing flat vertical surface 406 of part
402, TCP 404 is located at a front top portion of finishing tool
112. Note that the location of TCP 404 is different than the
location of TCP 104 of FIG. 2A, which is at the center of finishing
tool 112. At FIG. 4B, as finishing tool 112 is moved along the tool
control path toward curved surface 410 and is positioned between
flat vertical surface 406 and curved surface 410. Curved surface
410 can be, for example, an edge or a corner of part 402. This
transition region between flat vertical surface 406 and curved
surface 410 is the area prone to defects using the fixed TCP
finishing technique shown in FIGS. 2A-2E. Since TCP 404 has moved
with respect to its location on finishing tool 412, this allows the
speed at which finishing tool 412 travels along the surface of part
402 to remain substantially constant. That is, the finishing tool
can travel along the tool control path at a substantially constant
speed that allows continuous finishing of the surface along the
tool control path. Thus, the abrupt change of speed seen in the
fixed TCP configuration shown in FIGS. 2A-2E can be avoided,
thereby reducing the occurrence of defects caused by abrupt speed
changes.
[0026] At FIG. 4C, finishing tool 112 is positioned at the center
of curved surface 410. As show, TCP 404 has been further shifted to
a front center location of finishing tool 112. At FIG. 4D,
finishing tool 112 is completing the finishing of curved surface
410 and is moving towards flat horizontal surface 408. Finishing
tool 412 is positioned between curved surface 410 and flat
horizontal surface 406. This transition region between curved
surface 410 and flat horizontal surface 406 is the area prone to
defects using the fixed TCP finishing technique shown in FIGS.
2A-2E. Since TCP 404 has moved with respect to its location on
finishing tool 412, this allows the speed at which finishing tool
412 travels along the surface of part 402 to remain substantially
constant. Thus, the abrupt change of speed seen in the fixed TCP
configuration shown in FIGS. 2A-2E can be avoided, thereby reducing
the occurrence of defects caused by abrupt speed changes. At FIG.
4E, finishing tool 112 has completed processing of finishing
surface 410 and is finishing flat horizontal surface 408. At FIG.
4F, the finishing process is complete, resulting in part 402 having
substantially no defects along the tool control path. That is, part
402 has substantially no visually detectable defects related to the
finishing process on flat vertical 406, flat horizontal 408 and
curved 410 surfaces. In addition, substantially no defects related
to the finishing process exist between flat vertical 406 and curved
surface 410 or between flat horizontal 408 and curved 410
surfaces.
[0027] According to additional embodiments, the finishing tool can
be used to finishing more than the three surfaces 406, 410 and 408
of part 402. For example, methods described can be used to polish a
corner of a part. A corner can have three flat surfaces, three
curved edges and a curved corner positioned in the center of the
three flat surfaces and three edges. The tool control path can be
configured to travel along one or more of the surfaces of the
corner and the TCP can be configured to shift accordingly. For
example, the TCP can be at a first location while the finishing
tool polishes a first flat surface, and then moved to a second
location while the finishing tool polishes a first curved edge. The
TCP can then be moved to a third location while the finishing tool
finishes a second flat surface. Then the TCP can move to a forth
location while the finishing tool finishes the curved corner. This
pattern can continue as the tool control path run along all the
surfaces to be finished.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a flowchart 500 showing process steps for
finishing a surface of a part in accordance with described
embodiments. At 502, a part is positioned in a CNC tool. The part
has at least one curved surface adjacent to at least one flat
surface. For example, the curved surface can be a curved corner
positioned between two flat surfaces. The tool control path of the
CNC tool can be configured to travel along the at least one flat
surface and the at least one curved surface. At 504, the surface of
the part is finished by moving a finishing tool along the tool
control path. For example, the tool control path of the finishing
process shown in FIGS. 4A-4E moves from flat vertical surface 406
to curved surface 410 to flat horizontal surface 408. As describe
above with reference to FIG. 1, the finishing tool can rotate about
an axis substantially normal to the surfaces of the part. As
described above, defects that can be caused by changes in the speed
at which the finishing tool travels along the surface of the part
can be minimized by varying the location of a TCP with respect to
the finishing tool depending on the location of the finishing tool
with respect to the tool control path. Note that the rotation speed
of the finishing tool can be constant or varied during the
finishing process.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electronic device suitable
for controlling some of the processes in the described embodiment.
Electronic device 600 can illustrate circuitry of a representative
computing device. Electronic device 600 can include a processor 602
that pertains to a microprocessor or controller for controlling the
overall operation of electronic device 600. Electronic device 600
can include instruction data pertaining to manufacturing
instructions in a file system 604 and a cache 606. File system 604
can be a storage disk or a plurality of disks. In some embodiments,
file system 604 can be flash memory, semiconductor (solid state)
memory or the like. The file system 604 can typically provide high
capacity storage capability for the electronic device 600. However,
since the access time to the file system 604 can be relatively slow
(especially if file system 1004 includes a mechanical disk drive),
the electronic device 600 can also include cache 606. The cache 606
can include, for example, Random-Access Memory (RAM) provided by
semiconductor memory. The relative access time to the cache 606 can
substantially shorter than for the file system 604. However, cache
606 may not have the large storage capacity of file system 604.
Further, file system 604, when active, can consume more power than
cache 606. Power consumption often can be a concern when the
electronic device 600 is a portable device that is powered by
battery 624. The electronic device 600 can also include a RAM 1020
and a Read-Only Memory (ROM) 622. The ROM 622 can store programs,
utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The
RAM 620 can provide volatile data storage, such as for cache
606.
[0030] Electronic device 600 can also include user input device 608
that allows a user of the electronic device 600 to interact with
the electronic device 600. For example, user input device 608 can
take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, touch
screen, audio input interface, visual/image capture input
interface, input in the form of sensor data, etc. Still further,
electronic device 600 can include a display 610 (screen display)
that can be controlled by processor 602 to display information to
the user. Data bus 616 can facilitate data transfer between at
least file system 604, cache 606, processor 602, and controller
613. Controller 613 can be used to interface with and control
different manufacturing equipment through equipment control bus
614. For example, control bus 614 can be used to control a computer
numerical control (CNC) tool, a press, an injection molding machine
or other such equipment. For example, processor 602, upon a certain
manufacturing event occurring, can supply instructions to control
manufacturing equipment through controller 613 and control bus 614.
Such instructions can be stored in file system 604, RAM 620, ROM
622 or cache 606.
[0031] Electronic device 600 can also include a network/bus
interface 611 that couples to data link 612. Data link 612 can
allow electronic device 600 to couple to a host computer or to
accessory devices. The data link 612 can be provided over a wired
connection or a wireless connection. In the case of a wireless
connection, network/bus interface 611 can include a wireless
transceiver. Sensor 626 can take the form of circuitry for
detecting any number of stimuli. For example, sensor 626 can
include any number of sensors for monitoring a manufacturing
operation such as for example a Hall Effect sensor responsive to
external magnetic field, an audio sensor, a light sensor such as a
photometer, computer vision sensor to detect clarity, a temperature
sensor to monitor a molding process and so on.
[0032] The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or
features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in
any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can
be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware
and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as
computer readable code on a non-transitory computer readable medium
for controlling manufacturing operations or as computer readable
code on a non-transitory computer readable medium for controlling a
manufacturing line. The non-transitory computer readable medium is
any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be
read by a computer system. Examples of the non-transitory computer
readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory,
CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and
carrier waves. The non-transitory computer readable medium can also
be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the
computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed
fashion.
[0033] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used
specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the
described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled
in the art that the specific details are not required in order to
practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing
descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of
illustration and description. They are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise
forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in
the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view
of the above teachings.
* * * * *