Method and system for automated software control of waterjet orientation parameters

Abstract

Methods and systems for automating the control of fluid jet orientation parameters are provided. Example embodiments provide a Dynamic Waterjet Control System (a “DWCS”) to dynamically control the orientation of the jet relative to the material being cut as a function of speed and other process parameters. Orientation parameters include, for example, the x-y position of the jet along the cutting path, as well as three dimensional orientation parameters of the jet, such as standoff compensation values and taper and lead angles of the cutting head. In one embodiment, the DWCS uses a set of predictive models to determine these orientation parameters. The DWCS preferably comprises a motion program generator/kernel, a user interface, one or more replaceable orientation and process models, and a communications interface to a fluid jet apparatus controller. Optionally the DWCS also includes a CAD module for designing the target piece. In operation, the motion program generator receives input from the CAD design module and the user interface to build a motion program that can be forwarded to and executed by the controller to control the cutting process. The replaceable models provide the motion program generator with access to sets of mathematical models that are used to determine appropriate jet orientation and process parameters. For example, in some environments, these equations are used to generate the x-position, y-position, standoff compensation value, lead angle, and taper angle of each command. The DWCS also provides two way communication between itself and the controller. The controller functions are used, for example, to display the cutting path in progress while the target piece is being cut out of the workpiece. They are also used to obtain current values of the cutting apparatus, such as the current state of attached mechanical and electrical devices.

1 . A method in a computer system for automatically controlling orientation of a cutting head of a fluid jet apparatus relative to a material being cut, to produce a target piece having an overall geometry not previously programmed into the computer system, the geometry having a plurality of geometric entities, the fluid jet apparatus having a plurality of process parameters, comprising: 
 receiving a speed for each of the plurality of geometric entities of the overall geometry, wherein at least two geometric entities are associated with different speeds;    automatically determining an orientation parameter for each determined speed in accordance with the speed and the plurality of process parameters; and    automatically controlling the motion of cutting head in accordance with the automatically determined orientation parameter to cut the material to produce the target piece.