Stone cutting automation technology based on features

This paper proposes a CAD/CAM/CNC architecture to automate saw blade stone cutting machines (disc stone cutting machines). The architecture is designed to give the controller the capacity of decision making as well as control of the machine tool, with the objective of being able to react to changes in the machining conditions, which is common in this kind technology. Adopting a similar paradigm as the new approaches for CNC manufacturing, especially the new ISO standard for CNC programming (STEP-NC), the proposed system is based on the definition of product features to be communicated to the controller. The controller has the objective of machining the features, and it is able to replan, on the fly, the work to get them, despite changing conditions in the stone or in the disc.