Safety assurances for laser fabrication using temperature sensors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11327461-B2
Application number	US-201916677241-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 7, 2019
Priority date	Feb 12, 2015
Publication date	May 10, 2022
Grant date	May 10, 2022

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 system, comprising:
at least one data processor; and
at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one data processor, result in operations comprising:
operating a computer numerically controlled machine to deliver an electromagnetic energy to a material at least partially disposed within an interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine;
detecting, based at least on a first temperature measured by a first temperature sensor and a second temperature by a second temperature sensor, an anomalous condition while operating the computer numerically controlled machine to deliver the electromagnetic energy, at least one of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor being configured to measure a temperature of a component of the computer numerically controlled machine; and
responding to the anomalous condition by at least generating an alert, reducing an output of the electromagnetic energy, blocking the electromagnetic energy, reducing a thermal output one or more heat generating components of the computer numerically controlled machine, and/or locking a lid of the computer numerically controlled machine.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first temperature sensor have at least one of a different orientation and a different location within the computer numerically controlled machine than the second temperature sensor.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first temperature sensor is configured to measure an ambient temperature, and wherein the second temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of a working area within the interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine that contains at least a portion of the material.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the component comprises a head delivering the electromagnetic energy, a controller, a lens, a mirror, a motor, a fan, a thermal control system, an air filter, a cooling unit, a camera, a lighting device, and/or an emitter of the electromagnetic energy.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the anomalous condition includes a failure of the component of the computer numerically controlled machine.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the anomalous condition is detected based at least on a magnitude of a difference between the first temperature and the second temperature.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the executing of the instructions further results in operations comprising:
determining, based at least on the first temperature, a threshold; and
detecting the anomalous condition in response to the second temperature exceeding the threshold.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the anomalous condition is detected by at least determining whether the first temperature and/or the second temperature correspond to the anomalous condition or a non-anomalous condition.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the executing of the instructions further results in operations comprising:
receiving, from a server, expected sensor data for the 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 the electromagnetic energy to the material to cause one or more changes in the material, and the expected sensor data being generated at the server based at least on the execution plan; and
comparing, during the execution of the execution plan, the first temperature and/or the second temperature with the expected sensor data; and
detecting, based at least on the comparison indicating a deviation from the expected sensor data, the anomalous condition.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one data processor and the at least one memory comprises a controller disposed at the computer numerically controlled machine.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one data processor and the at least one memory comprises a computer communicatively coupled with the computer numerically controlled machine via wired network and/or a wireless network.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises the computer numerically controlled machine having the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer numerically controlled machine includes a motion sensor configured to determine a positon of at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine, and wherein the anomalous condition is further detected based on the positon of the at least one component of the computer numerically controlled machine.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer numerically controlled machine includes a pressure sensor configured to measure an air pressure within the interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine, and wherein the anomalous condition is further detected based on the air pressure within the interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer numerically controlled machine includes a smoke sensor configured to measure a quantity of smoke present within the interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine, and wherein the anomalous condition is further detected based on the quantity of smoke present within the interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine.

16. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
operating a computer numerically controlled machine to deliver an electromagnetic energy to a material at least partially disposed within an interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine;
detecting, based at least on a first temperature measured by a first temperature sensor and a second temperature by a second temperature sensor, an anomalous condition while operating the computer numerically controlled machine to deliver the electromagnetic energy, at least one of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor being configured to measure a temperature of a component of the computer numerically controlled machine; and
responding to the anomalous condition by at least generating an alert, reducing an output of the electromagnetic energy, blocking the electromagnetic energy, reducing a thermal output one or more heat generating components of the computer numerically controlled machine, and/or locking a lid of the computer numerically controlled machine.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions, which when executed by at least one data processor, result in operations comprising:
operating a computer numerically controlled machine to deliver an electromagnetic energy to a material at least partially disposed within an interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine;
detecting, based at least on a first temperature measured by a first temperature sensor and a second temperature by a second temperature sensor, an anomalous condition while operating the computer numerically controlled machine to deliver the electromagnetic energy, at least one of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor being configured to measure a temperature of a component of the computer numerically controlled machine; and
responding to the anomalous condition by at least generating an alert, reducing an output of the electromagnetic energy, blocking the electromagnetic energy, reducing a thermal output one or more heat generating components of the computer numerically controlled machine, and/or locking a lid of the computer

Assignees

• Glowforge Inc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• B23K37/0408

  for planar work · CPC title

• B23K2101/18

  Sheet panels · CPC title

• B23K37/0235

  the guide member forming part of a portal · CPC title

• B23K26/032

  using optical means · CPC title

• B23K26/38

  by boring or cutting · CPC title