SYSTEM FOR MAKING COMPONENT PARTS OP A STRUCTURE
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a system for making
component parts of a structure, and particularly but not
exclusively to a system for controlling a tool from an
electronic file specifying the structure.
Background
The production of machined parts is typically
performed by a numerically controlled machine or tool at a
fabrication facility. The parts have an associated order
which is typically manually entered into a order system
and then a person tracks the order's progress through the
fabrication facility which is costly. Typically, the
parts are supplied to the fabrication facility as a
printed list of parts including their specifications. The
specification of each part needs to be manually entered,
by a keyboard, for example into a computer which then
generates numerical control codes for the machine to
fabricate the part. This is costly and prone to errors by
data entry personnel, for example.
Summary of the invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention
there is provided a system for making component parts of a
structure, the system comprising:
an electronic data receiver for receiving electronic
data specifying the structure;
a numerical control data generator for generating
numerical control data from the electronic data for
instructing a computer numerical controlled machine to
machine at least one of the parts; and
a numerical control data sender for sending the

numerical control data to the machine.
In some embodiments the electronic data receiver may
include a data communication device configured to receive
the electronic data. The electronic data receiver may
include a communication server. The communication server
may include an email server. The data communication
device may include a modem, router, gateway or a Wi-Fi or
a Bluetooth transceiver. The data receiver may be
connected to the internet with IP and TCP/IP.
Alternatively the means of receiving electronic data may
include a removable media reader such as a Digital
Versatile Disk (DVD) or Compact Disk (CD) drive configured
to read media on which a file containing the electronic
data is stored.
In some embodiments the system further comprises an
order data receiver for receiving order data associated
with the electronic data specifying the structure. The
order data receiver may include the data communication
device, a removable media reader or a keyboard through
which the electronic data is entered.
In some embodiments the system comprises an
electronic list of parts generator for generating an
electronic list of parts interpretable by the system from
the electronic data. The electronic list of parts
generator may include a data processing server or
computer. The server or computer may be in data
communication with the a data communication device. The
server or computer may be in communication with the data
communication device over Ethernet with IP and TCP/IP
layers, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection, Wi-Fi, an
optical connection or other suitable and/or similar means.
The computer or server may include non volatile memory.
The non volatile memory may include a hard drive and/or
flash memory. The server or computer may be programmed to

generate the electronic list of materials data from the
electronic data. The electronic list of materials may be
written to the non volatile memory for further processing
and/or retrieval.
In some embodiments the numerical control data
generator includes the data processing server. The server
or computer is programmed to generate the numerical
control data from the received electronic data. The
numerical control data may be written to the non volatile
memory for possible further processing and/or retrieval.
Alternatively, the numerical control data generator is a
separate server or computer. The servers may be connected
via an Ethernet connection, Wi-Fi, an optical connection
or other suitable and/or similar means.
The system may further comprise a scheduler to
schedule a production time for at least one of the parts
by the machine. The scheduler may be in data
communication with the numerical control data generator.
The scheduler may be in data communication with the
electronic list of materials generator. The scheduler may
be an enterprise server running Enterprise Resource
Planning Software (ERPS). The data communication may be
via an Ethernet connection with IP and TCP/IP layers, Wi-
Fi, an optical connection or other suitable and/or similar
means.
In some embodiments the system includes a central
server. The central server may operate as a system
control unit. The central server may be connected to a
Human Machine Interface of the machine. The connection
may include an Ethernet, serial, Universal Serial Bus
(USB), Bluetooth or General Purpose Interface Bus (IEEE-
488) connection. The connection may be over IP and TCP/IP
layers. The HMI may be configured so that a machine tool
operator may confirm with the HMI that production of the

at least one part should start.
Some embodiments of the system performs at least some
of the steps of:
receiving electronic data specifying a structure
having a plurality of parts;
generating an electronic list of parts interpretable
by the system from the electronic data;
generating numerical control data from the electronic
data for instructing a computer numerical controlled
machine to machine at least one of the parts; and
sending the numerical control data to the machine.
In some embodiments the system receives order data
associated with the electronic data.
Some embodiments of the system also perform the step
of scheduling a production time for parts by the machine.
In some embodiments the system also perform the step
of scheduling a production time of at least one of the
parts. The step of the system scheduling a production
time may comprise any one or more of considering the
enabling or optimal requirements of a fabrication facility
at which the machine is located, an order in which the set
of parts are to be assembled or packaged, the capability
of the workshop, and a material inventory of the
fabrication facility, an availability of part delivery
vehicles and/or assembly equipment for the parts such as
cranes. The step of scheduling production may further
comprise the step of processing the order data.
Processing the order data may include consideration of one
or more of an ordering party's ability to pay for the part
or the party's outstanding debt, and the party's
requirements including a requested delivery date specified
by the order. The step of scheduling production may
include the step of approving production of the part.

In some embodiments the system also further performs
the step of accepting confirmation from a machine operator
that production of the at least one part should start at a
human-machine-interface in communication with the machine
tool. This may include the step of receiving confirmation
from the HMI that at least one of the parts has been
fabricated. The step of receiving confirmation may
further comprise the step of processing the confirmation
by the ERPS.
The term "server" in this specification is intended
to encompass any combination of hardware and software that
performs services for connected clients in part of a
client-server architecture. A client and a server may be
separate software running on a single piece of hardware or
a plurality of connected pieces of hardware.
According to a second aspect of the present invention
there is provided a method of making the component parts
of a structure, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving electronic data specifying the structure;
generating numerical control data from the electronic
data for instructing a computer numerical controlled
machine to machine at least one of the parts; and
sending the numerical control data to the machine.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is
provided a computer program comprising instructions for
controlling one or more computers to implement a method in
accordance with the second aspect.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there
is provided a computer readable medium providing computer
software in accordance with the third aspect of the
invention.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is
provided logic encoded in one or more tangible media for
execution and when executed operable to:
receiving electronic data specifying the structure;
generating numerical control data from the electronic
data for instructing a computer numerical controlled
machine to machine at least one of the parts; and
sending the numerical control data to the machine.
Brief description of the figures
In order to achieve a better understanding of the
nature of the present invention embodiments of a system
for making component parts of a structure will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying figures in which:
Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a system for
controlling a computer numerical controlled machine;
Figure 2 shows another embodiment of a system for
controlling a computer numerical controlled machine; and
Figure 3 shows yet another embodiment of a system for
controlling a computer numerical controlled machine.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments
One embodiment of a system for making component parts
of a structure is shown in figure 1 and is generally
indicated by the numeral 100. The system 100 includes a
network 102, which in this case is a Local Area Network
(LAN). The LAN in this embodiment has a twisted pair
Ethernet physical layer with IP and TCP/IP layers,
however, it will be appreciated that the LAN may also be a
Wi-Fi or other type of LAN. The network 102 is connected
to a communication device in the form of a network gateway
106 configured to receive electronic data. In some
embodiments, however, the data communication device may
alternatively be a modem, router, or a Wi-Fi or a

Bluetooth transceiver. The gateway 106 may include a
firewall. The network gateway 106 is connected to a Wide
Area Network (WAN) 114, which in this embodiment is the
internet. The LAN 102 is also connected to an electronic
data receiver including server 104, a numerical control
data generator in the form of a data processing server
106, a numerical control data sender in the form of a
central server 108, and a Human Machine Interface (HMI)
110 of a machine 112.
The communication server 104, is arranged and
programmed to receive an electronic data file or detailing
file specifying a building structure, such as a house,
from a customer's system 122, and then store the
electronic data file in a non volatile memory 116 such as
a hard drive or flash memory. The file may be received as
an email received by an email server 103 forming part of
the communication server 104. The electronic data file
may be generated by CAD software packaged such as AutoCAD,
MBS, SupraCAD, SmartTruss or XSteel, for example. The
specified structure has a plurality of parts, at least
some of which are to be fabricated by the machine 112.
There are typically more than a thousand parts specified
in the file. In some alternative embodiments, however,
the electronic data is received via a removable media
reader such as a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) or Compact
Disk (CD) drive 118 configured to read media on which a
file containing the electronic data is stored.
Example parts include:
• Welded parts, such as primary structurals,
cranes, brackets, miscellaneous clips.
• Non welded roll formed parts such as C-shape, Z-
shape, bent clip, trim, gutters and cladding.
• Mill steel parts such as wide flange, tube, pipe,
angle, channel.
• Extruded components such as PVC downpipes and

aluminum window frames.
• Any other machinable part such as ZINCALUME and
COLORBOND.
The numerical control data generator, that is in this
embodiment the data processing server 106, is arranged and
programmed to send a request to the communication server
104 to serve the file specifying the structure. On receipt
of the file, the data processing server 106 reads the
electronic data file and from it generates a file
containing numerical control data for instructing the
computer numerical controlled machine 112 to machine at
least one of the parts of the structure. Files can be
generated for Allan Bradley controls, Pegasus controls,
Bradbury controls, Hayes controls, and other systems of
control. This file is then sent to a central server 108
for storage and stored in non volatile memory 120. The
data processing server is thus a "universal translator"
from various types of CAD files to various types of
control files.
The central server 108 is arranged and programmed to
send the file containing numerical control data to the HMI
110 at an appropriate time. The central server may send
different files to several different machines such as 112,
so that the production of the parts is split between the
different machines which may not all be at the same site.
The HMI 110 is configured so that a machine operator may
confirm with the HMI 110 that production of a part should
start on the machine 112. The machine 112 includes
automatic tool changes and the like to enable automated
production of one or more parts with minimal human
intervention.
The communication server 104 is also, in this
embodiment, an order data receiver for receiving order
data associated with the electronic data specifying the

structure. The order data is received in the form of an
electronic file or email from a customer's system 122.
The order data may alternatively be entered into the
server 104 through a removable media reader or a keyboard
118. The order data is stored as an order data file on
the non-volatile memory 120 of the central server.
The system 100 also includes an electronic list of
parts generator in the form of the data processing server
106 arranged and programmed to generate an electronic list
of parts that comprise the structure, the electronic list
being interpretable by the system 100. The electronic
list of parts is put in a parts file and sent to the
central server 108 for storage in the non-volatile memory
120 and further storage.
The system 100 is connected to, via the WAN 114 and
another network gateway 126, an Enterprise Server 124
running Enterprise Resource Planning Software (ERPS), such
as, for example ERPS provided by the company SAP™. The
server 124 may be located in a head office of the
enterprise manufacturing the parts. The order data file
and parts file is sent from the central server 108 from
the Enterprise server 124. The Enterprise server 124
processes the order data with reference to the list of
parts. The Enterprise server 124 schedules an appropriate
production time for at least one of the parts by the
machine 112. In scheduling a production time, the
Enterprise server 124 may consider internal requirements
such as the enabling or optimal requirements of a
fabrication facility or factory 128 at which the machine
is located, an order in which the set of machine parts are
to be assembled or packaged, the capability of the
workshop, a material inventory of the fabrication
facility, an availability of part delivery vehicles and/or
assembly equipment for the parts such as cranes. The
central server 108 may also schedule production. External

requirements may also be considered in scheduling, such as
consideration of one or more of an ordering party's
ability to pay for the part, the party's outstanding debt,
and the party's requirements including a requested
delivery date specified by the order. In scheduling
production, the Enterprise server 124 approves the
production of the parts.
The system 100 accepts a confirmation from the HMI
110 that production of the at least one part should start,
and that at least one of the parts has been fabricated.
The confirmations are sent and subsequently processed by
the Enterprise server 124.
Other embodiments of the system are shown in Figures
2 and 3 and are generally indicated by the numerals 200
and 300 respectively, where similar components have been
similarly numbered. These embodiments illustrate that the
system can be distributed over multiple sites that may be
separated by considerable distances or located on a single
site. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, for example,
the head office 202 may be located in Pune, India, the
customer site 204 at Kolkata, the factory 206 at Chennai,
with branch offices 208, 210 and 212 at Sriperumbudur,
Bhiwadi and Hinjewadi respectively. The system may be
distributed between several countries or even continents.
A manual overriding facility is provided by the
system 100 so that the system 10 0 can be brought back to
existing processes in the case of any failure of
automation or during down times of any networks or one or
more systems or subsystems. The system 100 provides GUI
interfaces to a terminal 128 for the entry of certain
information, such as batch information by an operator.
The system 100 provides automatic generation of shipping
parts lists, production parts lists, and shippers
Engineered to Order lists. The system 100 is arranged to

create true-scale drawings from engineering databases for
three plate machines. The system 100 is compatable with
existing ePurlin systems. The system is portable and is
operable from anywhere using a V data card. The system
100 allows remote access. The system 100 includes servers
such as 104, 106, and 108 running Windows XP service pack
2 or above, Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 and Microsoft
Office XP, or appropriate equivalents.
Now that embodiments of a system for making component
parts of a structure have been described, it will be
appreciated that some embodiments have some of the
following advantages:
Responsibility for the accuracy of the part
specifications and structure specification are
shifted almost entirely to the customer.
Because there is no human intervention, such as
data keying, it is extremely unlikely that the
system will produce parts that deviate from the
specifications.
• Numerous different file formats specifying the
structure can be accepted and translated by the
data processing server into a list of parts
understood by a variety of machines, providing an
improved customer service and increasing the
number of customers that can be serviced.
• If a new file format is introduced the system can
easily be updated to accommodate the new file
format by providing a translator to translate the
new file format.
• Information connectivity is provided between
components of the enterprise traditionally not
connected, such as machines and the Enterprise
Server, and the free flow of information and data
between these components improves the enterprises
efficiency and service.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art
that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made
to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention as broadly described. For example, there may be
more than one machine, and they may be located at
different sites. The present embodiments are, therefore,
to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not
restrictive.

Claims
1. A system for making component parts of a structure,
the system comprising:
an electronic data receiver for receiving
electronic data specifying the structure;
a numerical control data generator for generating
numerical control data from the electronic data for
instructing a computer numerical controlled machine
to machine at least one of the parts; and
a numerical control data sender for sending the
numerical control data to the machine.
2. A system defined by claim 1 wherein the electronic
data receiver includes a data communication device
configured to receive the electronic data.
3. A system defined by claim 1 wherein electronic data
receiver includes a communication server.
4. A system defined by claim 3 wherein the communication
server includes an email server.
5. A system defined by claim 1 further comprising an
order data receiver for receiving order data
associated with the electronic data specifying the
structure.
6. A system defined by claim 5 wherein the order data
receiver includes one or more of a data communication
device, a removable media reader or a keyboard
through which the electronic data is entered.
7. A system defined by claim 1 comprising an electronic
list of parts generator for generating an electronic
list of parts interpretable by the system from the
electronic data.
8. A system defined by claim 7 wherein the electronic

list of parts generator includes a data processing
server.
9. A system defined by claim 1 further comprising a
scheduler to schedule a production time for at least
one of the parts by the machine.
10. A system defined by claim 9 wherein the scheduler is
in data communication with the numerical control data
generator.
11. A system defined by claim 9 wherein the scheduler is
an enterprise server running Enterprise Resource
Planning Software (ERPS).
12. A system defined by claim 1 comprising a central
server.
13. A system defined by claim 12 wherein the central
server is connected to a Human Machine Interface
(HMI) of the machine.
14. A system defined by claim 13 wherein the HMI is
configured so that a machine tool operator may
confirm with the HMI that production of the at least
one part should start.
15. A method of making component parts of a structure,
the method comprising the steps of:
receiving electronic data specifying the
structure;
generating numerical control data from the
electronic data for instructing a computer numerical
controlled machine to machine at least one of the
parts; and
sending the numerical control data to the
machine.
16. A computer program comprising instructions for

controlling one or more computers to implement a
method defined by claim 15.
17. A computer readable medium providing a computer
program defined by claim 16.
18. Logic encoded in one or more tangible media for
execution and when executed operable to:
receiving electronic data specifying the
structure;
generating numerical control data from the
electronic data for instructing a computer numerical
controlled machine to machine at least one of the
parts; and
sending the numerical control data to the
machine.

A system 100 for making component parts of a structure is disclosed. The system comprises an electronic data receiver 104 for receiving electronic data specifying the
structure. The system also has a numerical control data generator 108 for generating numerical control data from
the electronic data for instructing computer numerical control machine 112 to machine at least one of the parts.
The system also has a numerical control data sender 104 to send the numerical control data to the machine.