Abstract:
A pattern contour-tracing system which is capable of intercepting and locking on the pattern contour from a position removed from the contour without the use of a leadin contour. The pattern contour-sensing head is pointed so as to travel in a line toward the contour with the sensing head steering means locked out until the sensing means detects that the sensing is within a predetermined distance of the contour. The steering means is then unlocked so that the sensing head can be automatically steered by the servo means to make a smooth transition into the path defined by the pattern contour. A photosensitive tracing system is disclosed which is operable to lead into and trace the pattern contour whether the contour is defined by a line or an edge.
Abstract:
The following specification describes a tracing scanning head having a photocell for sensing the presence of a pattern. The cell is supported on one shaft of a pair of coaxial shafts for movement transverse to the shaft axes. A pinion carried by the other shaft engages a rack carried by the one shaft for moving the photocell in response to rotation of the other shaft to compensate for the kerf or tool cutting width. A servo motor armature is fixed to the one shaft and rotates the one shaft and photocell to maintain the photocell angularly aligned with the line. A pair of easily readable knobs are provided at the upper end of the shafts to permit the offset to be easily determined. A preamplifier is carried by the one shaft to amplify low level photocell signals before they are transmitted over slip rings and brushes, and a neon bulb shielded by a metal ring casting lights the drawing pattern. A transparent shield depending from the casting protects the photocell lens. A pair of lamps cast indicia on the paper to enable the direction of scanning head travel to be easily ascertained.
Abstract:
Line or pattern edge contour tracing apparatus incorporating a triangularly shaped pair of photocells receiving either direct or pulsating light from the line or edge to be traced. The triangularly shaped photocell pair carried by a sensing head are arranged in overlapping positions across the line or edge to be traced and across the direction of sensing head movement to enable the entire area of each cell to be used in sensing line displacement or orientation. Providing successive pairs of triangularly shaped photocells arranged across the line or direction of travel and in circuits for combining their outputs provides resultant signals indicative of the deviation of the sensing head from the line or edge being traced with the output of the cells selected and combined dependent on whether an edge or line is traced and the tracing speed for controlling servo motors to drive the sensing head along the line or edge. In addition the output of selected cells are controlled to ensure the sensing head properly orients to the line when tracing at slow speed.
Abstract:
This disclosure deals with a line or pattern following system for use with a machine including first and second motors for moving a device in first and second generally perpendicular directions. The system includes an array of light sensitive elements arranged at angularly juxtaposed positions, the array being positioned adjacent said line or pattern. An image of the line or pattern falls on the array and makes an angle .theta. with reference point on the array. The system further includes means for sequentially scanning the outputs of the elements, and angle means responsive to said outputs and to said reference point for generating first and second signals. The first signal is a function of sin .theta. and is connected to control energization of the first motor, and the second signal is a function of cos .theta. and is connected to control energization of the second motor. The two motors, thus energized, produce relative motion of the array and the line or pattern, and move the array to follow the line or pattern.
Abstract:
This disclosure deals with a line or pattern following system for use with a machine including first and second motors for moving a device in first and second generally perpendicular directions. The system includes an array of light sensitive elements arranged at angularly juxtaposed positions, the array being positioned adjacent said line or pattern. An image of the line or pattern falls on the array and makes an angle .theta. with reference point on the array. The system further includes means for sequentially scanning the outputs of the elements, and angle means responsive to said outputs and to said reference point for generating first and second signals. The first signal is a function of sin .theta. and is connected to control energization of the first motor, and the second signal is a function of cos .theta. and is connected to control energization of the second motor. The two motors, thus energized, produce relative motion of the array and the line or pattern, and move the array to follow the line or pattern.