Client initiated vendor verified tool setting

• US 10,365,636 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2016
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lincoln Canada Holdings ULC (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Inovatech Engineering Corporation (Lincoln Electric Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Clement, Miguel, Menard, Stephane, Bruneau, Dominique, Gabriels, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Adam
• Application Number:
  US15/266,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20170083004A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4083 Adapting programme, configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/414 Structure of the control system, e.g. common controller or multiprocessor systems, interface to servo, programmable interface controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31103 Configure parameters of controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31422 Upload, download programs, parameters from, to station to, from server
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35513 Setting tool condition, tool set in tool exchanger, present or not
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

Computer (or computerized) numerical control (CNC) tools are employed globally. While these may be purchased with an initial set of configurations users must establish any other configurations themselves leading to potentially every CNC tool being configured slightly differently for the same process requirement even before considering new materials, tool elements etc. Accordingly, users and manufacturers would benefit from access to updated process parameters for machine tools that reflect scenarios encountered in manufacturing operations that are new or lead to improved tolerances, yields, reducing process time etc. However, users are not going to employ just any set of parameters given to them as these may damage their CNC tool or tool elements. Embodiments of the invention provide a subscription service providing access to verified settings where the verification is performed by the machine tool manufacturer or machine tool element manufacturer.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an original equipment manufacturer'"'"'s (OEM'"'"'s) machine tool comprising a first microprocessor, a user interface, a first memory storing first executable instructions for execution by the first microprocessor and a first network interface for interfacing the machine tool to a communications network, wherein the first executable instructions configure the machine tool to;

receive via the user interface first inputs from a user of the machine tool;

establish in dependence upon the first inputs control settings relating to a predetermined process executable by the machine tool; and

transmit the control settings to a remote server associated with the OEM, the remote server also connected to the communications network; and

the remote server comprising a second microprocessor, a second memory storing second executable instructions for execution by the second microprocessor and a second network interface for interfacing the remote server to the communications network, the second executable instructions configuring the remote server to;

receive the control settings for the predetermined process from the machine tool;

provide the control settings to the OEM;

receive an indication of a verification established by the OEM, the verification relating to the control settings for the predetermined process; and

transmit the verified control settings to a remote storage accessible to the remote server and other users of other machine tools provided by the OEM who are subscribers to a subscription service, wherein at least one of the other machine tools is operated according to the verified control settings.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the subscription service is established by at least one of the OEM and a manufacturer sub-contracting piece-part manufacturing to a plurality of third parties.

3. A machine tool comprising:

a first microprocessor;

a user interface;

a first memory storing first executable instructions for execution by the first microprocessor; and

a first network interface for interfacing the machine tool to a communications network, wherein the first executable instructions configure the machine tool to;

access a database stored upon a remote server also connected to the communications network;

retrieve a machine tool control setting profile of a plurality of machine tool control setting profiles from the database, each machine tool control setting profile established by modifying a default tool control setting profile of another machine tool associated with the tool control setting profile by a first user of the another machine tool; and

enable a second user of the machine tool to execute the machine tool control setting profile of the plurality of machine tool control setting profiles upon the machine tool, wherein the machine tool is operated according to the executed machine tool control setting profile;

wherein

the machine tool control setting profile of the plurality of machine tool control setting profiles has been validated by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the machine tool associated with the machine tool control setting profile of the plurality of machine tool control setting profiles; and

the second user is not associated with the OEM except via a subscription to a subscription service providing access to the plurality of machine tool control setting profiles established by other users of other machine tools associated with the machine tool control setting profile of the plurality of machine tool control setting profiles and validated by the OEM of each machine tool of the other machine tools associated with the machine tool control setting profile of the plurality of machine tool control setting profiles.

4. The machine tool according to claim 3, wherein the subscription service is established by at least one of:

an OEM of the machine tool of the other machine tools associated with the machine tool control setting profile of the plurality of machine tool control setting profiles; and

a manufacturer sub-contracting piece-part manufacturing to a plurality of third parties.

5. A machine tool comprising:

a first microprocessor;

a user interface;

a first memory storing first executable instructions for execution by the first microprocessor; and

a first network interface for interfacing the machine tool to a communications network, wherein the first executable instructions configure the machine tool to;

perform a hash upon local control settings relating to a predetermined process upon the machine tool, the local control settings stored locally to the machine tool;

perform a hash upon reference control settings relating to the predetermined process, the reference control settings stored remotely upon a first remote storage accessible to the machine tool via the communications network;

determine whether the local control settings are different from the reference control settings by comparing the hashes of the local control settings and the reference control settings; and

upon a difference being detected at least one of;

automatically replace the local control settings with the reference control settings;

provide an operator of the machine tool with an override option; and

provide an operator of the machine tool with an option to indicate that the local control settings provide improved performance relative to the reference control settings and upon said indication pushing the local control settings to a second remote storage accessible to the machine tool via the communications network;

wherein the first remote storage and second remote storage are associated with either an original equipment manufacturer of the machine tool or a provider of a machine tool element for the machine tool, and wherein the machine tool is operated according to either the local control settings or the reference control settings.