1. A computerized method for designing a progressive die used in the manufacturing of a part formed from sheet metal, comprising:
receiving, at a computer, information regarding one or more features of the part;
determining, by the computer, one or more details of a blank layout for the part;
determining, by the computer, one or more details of a strip for the blank layout;
determining, by the computer, information regarding a die base, the die base having a plurality of die plates;
determining, by the computer, information regarding one or more inserts for the die plates based on one or more operations of one or more processes needed to form the features in the part; and
generating, by the computer, one or more outputs associated with the progressive die.
2. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining, by the computer, the one or more processes needed to form the features in the part;
determining, by the computer, the one or more operations associated with each process; and
receiving, at the computer, one or more parameters associated with each operation.
3. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, at the computer, information regarding one or more scrap profiles for the strip;
receiving, at the computer, a sequence of the operations of the processes;
simulating, by the computer, the operations of each process on the strip;
notifying, via a visual display unit, a user of one or more results of the simulating step; and
receiving one or more modifications of at least one parameter of at least one operation.
4. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, at the computer, one or more parameters associated with one or more configurable items for the die plates.
5. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, at the computer, one or more parameters associated with the inserts;
determining, by the computer, one or more relief cavities for the die plates;
and generating, by the computer, one or more pockets for the die plates.
6. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein determining, by the computer, the blank layout for the part is based on imported blank information.
7. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein determining, by the computer, one or more details of the strip comprises receiving, at the computer, a feed direction of the strip, a width of the strip, and a length of the strip based on the number of stations for the progressive die.
8. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein generating, by the computer, one or more outputs associated with the progressive die comprises generating a printout selected from the group consisting of at least one assembly drawing, a bill of material, and a hole table.
9. A computerized method for designing a progressive die used in the manufacturing of a part formed from sheet metal, comprising:
receiving, at a computer, information regarding one or more features of the part;
determining, by the computer, one or more processes needed to form the features in the part;
determining, by the computer, one or more operations associated with each process;
receiving, at the computer, one or more parameters associated with each operation;
determining, by the computer, one or more details of a strip;
receiving, at the computer, information regarding one or more scrap profiles for the strip;
receiving, at the computer, a sequence of the operations of the processes;
simulating, by the computer, the operations of the processes on the strip;
determining, by the computer, information regarding a die base based on the details of the strip, the die base having a plurality of die plates;
receiving, at the computer, one or more parameters associated with one or more configurable items for the die plates;
determining, by the computer, information regarding one or more inserts for the die plates based on the operations of the processes needed to form the features in the part;
receiving, at the computer, one or more parameters associated with the inserts;
determining, by the computer, one or more relief cavities for the die plates;
generating, by the computer, one or more pockets for the die plates; and
generating, by the computer, one or more outputs associated with the progressive die.
10. The computerized method of claim 9, further comprising:
determining, by the computer, a press force associated with each operation; and
determining, by the computer, a press force center for the progressive die based on the
press force associated with each operation.
11. The computerized method of claim 9, further comprising:
notifying, via a visual display unit, a user of one or more results of the simulating step; and
receiving one or more modifications of at least one parameter of at least one operation.
12. The computerized method of claim 9, wherein determining, by the computer, one or more details of the strip comprises receiving, at the computer, a feed direction of the strip, a width of the strip, and a length of the strip based on the number of stations for the progressive die.
13. The computerized method of claim 9, wherein generating, by the computer, one or more outputs associated with the progressive die comprises generating a printout selected from the group consisting of at least one assembly drawing, a bill of material, and a hole table.
14. A system for designing a progressive die used in the manufacturing of a part formed from sheet metal, comprising:
a computer-readable medium;
a computer program stored on the computer-readable medium operable to instruct a computer to:
receive information regarding one or more features of the part; determine one or more details of a blank layout for the part;
determine one or more details of a strip for the blank layout;
determine information regarding a die base, the die base having a plurality of die plates;
determine information regarding one or more inserts for the die plates based on one or more operations of one or more processes needed to form the features in the part; and
generate one or more outputs associated with the progressive die.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer program is further operable to:
determine the one or more processes needed to form the features in the part;
determine the one or more operations associated with each process; and
receive one or more parameters associated with each operation.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer program is further operable to:
receive information regarding one or more scrap profiles for the strip;
receive a sequence of the operations of the processes;
simulate the operations of each process on the strip;
notify, via a visual display unit, a user of one or more results of the simulating step; and
receive one or more modifications of at least one parameter of at least one operation.
17. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer program is further operable to:
receive one or more parameters associated with one or more configurable items for the die plates.
18. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer program is further operable to:
receive one or more parameters associated with the inserts;
determine one or more relief cavities for the die plates; and
generate one or more pockets for the die plates.
19. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer program determines the blank layout for the part based on imported blank information.
20. The system of claim 14, wherein the computer program is further operable to receive a feed direction of the strip, a width of the strip, and a length of the strip based on the number of stations for the progressive die.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A sensor mounting system for enabling image stabilization, comprising:
a circuit carrier comprising a generally planar sensor mounting portion;
an electronic array light sensor mounted on the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion;
at least one linear motor that translates the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion, wherein the at least one linear motor comprises a gap between a stator and a moving member of the at least one linear motor so that motion along X and Y axes is essentially free of static friction; and
at least two flexible service loops that carry signals between circuitry on the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion and other circuitry, the other circuitry being stationary in relation to the stator of the motor,
wherein the gap is substantially filled with a ferrofluid, the ferrofluid forming a fluid bearing that facilitates both the translation of the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion in the generally parallel direction and resisting motion of the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion.
2. The sensor mounting system of claim 1, wherein the service loops emanate from the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion in locations that are approximately symmetrical about the center of mass of an assembly moved by the motor.
3. The sensor mounting system of claim 2, wherein the service loops enable the assembly to translate relatively freely in directions generally parallel to the plane of the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion, without inducing significant rotation of the assembly about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion.
4. The sensor mounting system of claim 1, wherein each service loop is a single-circuit-layer portion of a flex circuit.
5. The sensor mounting system of claim 1, wherein a larger flex circuit comprises the sensor mounting portion and the service loops.
6. The sensor mounting system of claim 1, wherein: the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion is a portion of a flex circuit that also comprises an other logic mounting portion and a connecting portion; a first pair of the service loops carries signals between the sensor mounting portion and the other logic mounting portion; and a second pair of service loops carries signals between the sensor mounting portion and the connecting portion.
7. The sensor mounting system of claim 6, wherein the other logic mounting portion and the connector portion are configured to connect to each other.
8. The sensor mounting system of claim 6, further comprising logic mounted on the connecting portion.
9. The sensor mounting system of claim 6, wherein critical signals relating to the electronic array light sensor are routed through the first pair of service loops.
10. A flexible circuit for sensor mounting, comprising:
a generally planar sensor mounting portion;
a ferrofluid in a gap between the sensor mounting portion and a stationary
portion of the sensor mounting portion; and
at least two flexible service loops that are single-circuit-layer portions of a flex circuit and carry signals between circuitry mounted on the sensor mounting portion and other circuitry, the service loops emanating from locations that are generally symmetrical about a center of the sensor mounting portion,
wherein when the other circuitry is held stationary, the service loops enable translation of the sensor mounting portion in directions generally parallel to the plane of the sensor mounting portion, without inducing significant rotation of the sensor mounting portion about an axis generally perpendicular to the plane of the sensor mounting portion, and wherein the ferrofluid forms a fluid bearing that facilitates both translation of the sensor mounting portion in the generally parallel direction and resists motion of the sensor mounting portion in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the sensor mounting portion.
11. The flexible circuit of claim 10, further comprising an other logic mounting portion, and wherein a first pair of the service loops carries signals between the sensor mounting portion and the other logic mounting portion.
12. The flexible circuit of claim 11, further comprising a connecting portion, and wherein a second pair of service loops carries signals between the sensor mounting portion and the connecting portion.
13. The flexible circuit of claim 12, wherein the other logic mounting portion and the connecting portion are configured to connect to each other.
14. A camera, comprising:
a circuit carrier comprising a generally planar sensor mounting portion;
an electronic array light sensor mounted on the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion;
a lens that projects a scene image onto the electronic array light sensor;
a ferrofluid in a gap between the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion and a stationary portion of the camera; and
at least two flexible service loops wherein each service loop is a single-circuit-layer portion of a flex circuit that carry signals between circuitry on the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion and other circuitry, the other circuitry being stationary in relation to the lens,
wherein the ferrofluid forms a fluid bearing that facilitates both translation of the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion in a generally parallel direction and resists motion of the sensor mounting portion in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion.
15. The camera of claim 14, wherein the service loops emanate from the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion in locations that are approximately symmetrical about the center of mass of a movable assembly comprising the electronic array light sensor.
16. The camera of claim 14, wherein the service loops enable the assembly to translate relatively freely in directions generally parallel to the plane of the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion, without inducing significant rotation of the assembly about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion.
17. The camera of claim 14, wherein a larger flex circuit comprises the sensor mounting portion and the service loops.
18. The camera of claim 14, wherein: the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion is a portion of a flex circuit that also comprises an other logic mounting portion; and a first pair of the service loops carries signals between the sensor mounting portion and the other logic mounting portion.
19. The camera of claim 18, wherein: the flex circuit further comprises a connecting portion; and a second pair of service loops carries signals between the sensor mounting portion and the connecting portion.
20. The camera of claim 19, wherein the other logic mounting portion and the connecting portion are configured to connect to each other.
21. The camera of claim 19, further comprising logic mounted on the connecting portion.
22. A method of mounting a sensor in a camera, comprising:
mounting an electronic array light sensor on a generally planar sensor mounting portion of a circuit carrier;
extending at least two service loops from the circuit carrier, the service loops carrying signals from the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion to other circuitry, wherein a gap is formed between the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion and the other circuitry so that motion along X and Y axes is essentially free of static friction;
placing ferrofluid in the gap, the placed ferrofluid forming a fluid bearing that both facilitates the essentially static friction free motion of the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion along X and Y axes and facilitates resistance to motion of the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion in an axis generally perpendicular to a plane of the circuit carrier sensor mounting portion; and
bending the service loops such that, when the other circuitry is held stationary, the service loops enable relatively unimpeded motion of the circuit carrier generally parallel to the plane of the circuit carrier, without inducing significant rotation of the circuit carrier about an axis generally perpendicular to the circuit carrier.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the service loops are single-circuit-layer flex circuits.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein a larger flex circuit comprises the sensor mounting portion and the service loops.