Safety and reliability guarantees for laser fabrication

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10509390-B2
Application number	US-201615334113-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 25, 2016
Priority date	Feb 12, 2015
Publication date	Dec 17, 2019
Grant date	Dec 17, 2019

Abstract

Sensor data generated by a sensor of a computer numerically controlled machine can be compared with a forecast. The forecast can include expected sensor data for the sensor, over a course of an execution plan for making a cut with a movable laser cutting head. The sensor data can be generated during execution of the execution plan. During execution of the execution plan, the sensor data can be monitored and a deviation of from the forecast can be detected. It can be determined, based on the detecting, that an anomalous condition of the computer numerically controlled machine has occurred. Based on the determining, an action can be performed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:
generating, at a server, expected sensor data for a sensor of a computer numerically controlled machine over a course of executing an execution plan, the execution plan describing actions performed by at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine in order to deliver electromagnetic energy for causing one or more changes in a material, the expected sensor data being generated based at least on the execution plan; and
sending, to the computer numerically controlled machine, the expected sensor data to least enable the computer numerically controlled machine to compare, during an execution of the execution plan, sensor data generated by the sensor of the computer numerically controlled machine during the execution of the execution plan with the expected sensor data, detecting an occurrence of an anomalous condition at the computer numerically controlled machine based at least on the comparison indicating a deviation from the expected sensor data, and performing an action in response to detecting the occurrence of the anomalous condition, the anomalous condition including a failure of a cooling unit and/or a laser of the computer numerically controlled machine detected based at least on the difference between the temperature of the computer numerically controlled machine and the ambient temperature failing to exceed a threshold value.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the execution plan includes a motion plan for the at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine, and wherein the execution plan further includes one or more commands for selectively activating the at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the execution plan is generated by at least combining the motion plan for the at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine and the one or more commands for selectively activating the at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is associated with a first component of the computer numerically controlled machine, and wherein the deviation from the expected sensor data is indicative of the anomalous condition occurring at a second component of the computer numerically controlled machine.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the anomalous condition further comprises an acceleration failure at a head of the computer numerically controlled machine configured to delivering at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy, and wherein the acceleration failure is detected based at least on a position of the head of the computer numerically controlled machine failing to match an expected position for the head of the computer numerically controlled machine.

6. A system, comprising:
a server comprising at least one data processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one data processor, cause the server to at least:
generate expected sensor data for a sensor of a computer numerically controlled machine over a course of executing an execution plan, the execution plan describing actions performed by at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine in order to deliver electromagnetic energy for causing one or more changes in a material, the expected sensor data being generated based at least on the execution plan; and
send, to the computer numerically controlled machine, the expected sensor data to least enable the computer numerically controlled machine to compare, during an execution of the execution plan, sensor data generated by the sensor of the computer numerically controlled machine during the execution of the execution plan with the expected sensor data, detecting an occurrence of an anomalous condition at the computer numerically controlled machine based at least on the comparison indicating a deviation from the expected sensor data, and performing an action in response to detecting the occurrence of the anomalous condition, the anomalous condition including a failure of a cooling unit and/or a laser of the computer numerically controlled machine detected based at least on the difference between the temperature of the computer numerically controlled machine and the ambient temperature failing to exceed a threshold value.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the execution plan includes a motion plan for the at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine, and wherein the execution plan further includes one or more commands for selectively activating the at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the execution plan is generated by at least combining the motion plan for the at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine and the one or more commands for selectively activating the at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the sensor is associated with a first component of the computer numerically controlled machine, and wherein the deviation from the expected sensor data is indicative of the anomalous condition occurring at a second component of the computer numerically controlled machine.

10. The system of claim 6 , wherein the anomalous condition further comprises an acceleration failure at a head of the computer numerically controlled machine configured to delivering at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy, and wherein the acceleration failure is detected based at least on a position of the head of the computer numerically controlled machine failing to match an expected position for the head of the computer numerically controlled machine.

11. A computer readable medium comprising a non-transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by at least one programmable processor, cause the at least one programmable processor to perform operations comprising:
generating expected sensor data for a sensor of a computer numerically controlled machine over a course of executing an execution plan, the execution plan describing actions performed by at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine in order to deliver electromagnetic energy for causing one or more changes in a material, the expected sensor data being generated based at least on the execution plan; and
sending, to the computer numerically controlled machine, the expected sensor data to least enable the computer numerically controlled machine to compare, during an execution of the execution plan, sensor data generated by the sensor of the computer numerically controlled machine during the execution of the execution plan with the expected sensor data, detecting an occurrence of an anomalous condition at the computer numerically controlled machine based at least on the comparison indicating a deviation from the expected sensor data, and performing an action in response to detecting the occurrence of the anomalous condition, the anomalous condition including a failure of a cooling unit and/or a laser of the computer numerically controlled machine detected based at least on the difference between the temperature of the computer numerically controlled machine and the ambient temperature failing to exceed a threshold value.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the execution plan includes a motion plan for the at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine, and wherein the execution plan further includes one or more commands for selectively activating the at least

Assignees

• Glowforge Inc

Inventors

• Shapiro Daniel
• Gosselin Mark
• Wright Anthony
• Putney Dean
• Ellis Timothy
• Banka Lauren

Classifications

• B23K26/703

  Cooling arrangements (by using a fluid stream B23K26/14) · CPC title

• B23K37/006

  Safety devices for welding or cutting · CPC title

• B23K26/38

  by boring or cutting · CPC title

• B23K2101/18

  Sheet panels · CPC title

• B23K37/0408

  for planar work · CPC title