Brad W Amidon

US Patent:

8040345, Oct 18, 2011

Filed:

Nov 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/998877

Inventors:

Daniel Faken - Peabody MA, US
Craig Cook - Wayland MA, US
Brad Amidon - Arlington MA, US
Brandon Itkowitz - Sunnyvale CA, US
Scott Davidson - Jamaica Plain MA, US
Vincent M. Hammer - Milton VT, US

Assignee:

SensAble Technologies, Inc. - Wilmington MA

International Classification:

G06T 17/00

US Classification:

345420

Abstract:

The invention provides a system for modeling three-dimensional objects using hybrid geometric/volumetric representation, wherein sharp edges are created by a geometric representation that is connected to the volumetric representation. The system creates, maintains, and updates the hybrid representation according to user input. The system also provides for conversion of the hybrid representation into either a wholly geometric representation or a wholly volumetric representation, as may be needed for output to a given device, such as a display device, a printer, and/or a fabricating device.

US Patent:

51074362, Apr 21, 1992

Filed:

Apr 6, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/505385

Inventors:

Alan R. Levine - Westwood MA
Pedro H. Moura - Melrose MA
Brad W. Amidon - Somerville MA
Willem Jansen - Weston MA
Melvin Platt - Holleston MA

Assignee:

Northern Research & Engineering Corp. - Woburn MA

International Classification:

G06F 1540
G05B 1925

US Classification:

36447428

Abstract:

A method for determining a smooth machining course for a cutting tool during machining of a workpiece. Each possible cutting tool position, with respect to the workpiece, is defined by a separate reference vector. A progression of points are defined as a tool path. A first specified portion of the reference vector will follow the tool path during machining of the workpiece. A series of reference planes are generated, each plane defines a planar set of all possible reference vector positions for each point. An acceptable range from eahc set is established which defines acceptable reference vector positions within each plane for each point. A tool course is generated, which will be followed by a second portion, distant from the first portion, of the reference vector utilizing an algorithm to minimize irregularities of the course, and to contain the course entirely within the acceptable range.

US Patent:

53910249, Feb 21, 1995

Filed:

Mar 31, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/221211

Inventors:

Alan R. Levine - Westwood MA
Brad W. Amidon - Malden MA

Assignee:

Northern Research & Engineering Corporation - MA

International Classification:

G06F 1540

US Classification:

409 84

Abstract:

A method for determining machining instructions for flank milling of a workpiece which reduces the undercut by analyzing the cutter orientation at a plurality of orientations to determine an orientation which results in a minimum undercut, smooths the machining instructions by analyzing the movement of the cutter and the workpiece in spherical coordinates and improves machinability by analyzing for near-axial conditions and selecting a modified cutter orientation for such near-axial conditions using a multi-criteria weighting factor.