Abstract:
In a graphic display system a plurality of sets of first, second and third geometrical digital signals and a pictorial signal are stored in a memory and read therefrom at the raster speed of a display unit into plural latches with which plural interpolators are respectively associated. The first and second signals represent the gradients of the planes of a solid object with respect to the two axes of a coordinate system respectively, and the third signal represents the depth of a point lying on each edge of the object. Each interpolator converts the first gradient signal from the associated latch to a corresponding voltage and includes a proportioning circuit that scales the voltage as a function of the second gradient signal and as a function of a fourth signal representing the location of a scan point. Proportioned signals from the interpolators are summed respectively with the associated third signals to indicate the instantaneous values of the depths of the planes as a function of the raster scan. The summed signals are compared with each other to detect the one having a smallest magnitude to enable the pictorial signal of the desired plane.
Abstract:
A system and method for cutting multiple pattern pieces from a layup of sheet material employing two-stage digitizing to produce a cutting program in which contour segments of individual pieces are cut by a cutting blade in different directions about the pattern pieces. The direction in which a particular segment of a pattern piece contour is cut and the order in which the segments are cut are selected to most easily facilitate the cutting operation. The point on any given pattern piece toward which a cutting blade is advanced from different directions is generally the point of closest approach to an adjacent or contiguous pattern piece in the marker cut in the sheet material. The feed rate and tangency of the cutting blade are also regulated at sensitive cutting points such as the points of closest approach to an adjacent pattern piece.