ENHANCED REMOTE JOG HANDLE

• US 20080234855A1
• Filed: 03/23/2007
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HAAS Automation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: HAAS Automation Incorporated
• Inventors: Haas, Gene F., Wolf, David E., Tandrow, William F., Crick, Andy P., Wood, Eric R., Teitel, Michael A., McIntyre, Bryan S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,437,211 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/180
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35456 Disk segments connected to different inputs of microprocessor, represent different positions
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35459 Knob, handle, handwheel delivers pulses, electronic handwheel, digipot
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50048 Jogging
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts

Abstract

A system for controlling a machine tool is provided. The system includes a user input device deflectable from a neutral position and a controller configured to receive information corresponding to an amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position and to output a control signal to control a movement of the machine tool in an axis of movement at a rate corresponding to the amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position. A machine is provided, including a work tool movable along an axis of movement and a control system including a user input device deflectable from a neutral position and a controller configured to receive information corresponding to an amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position and to output a control signal to control a movement of the work tool in an axis of movement at a rate corresponding to the amount of deflection of the user input device from the neutral position.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a computer numerical control machine tool, the system comprising:

a remote jog handle including a plurality of coaxial rotary knobs configured to control the machine tool, the plurality of coaxial rotary knobs including a first rotary knob deflectable from a neutral position, a second rotary knob and a third rotary knob; and

a controller configured to;

receive information corresponding to an actuation of the third rotary knob and to output a control signal to select an axis of movement of the machine tool from a plurality of selectable axes of movement,

receive information corresponding to an actuation of the second rotary knob and to output a control signal to control a movement of the machine tool in the selected axis of movement in discrete steps, and

receive information corresponding to an amount of deflection of the first rotary knob from the neutral position and to output a control signal to control a movement of the machine tool in the selected axis of movement at a rate corresponding to the amount of deflection of the first rotary knob from the neutral position.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first rotary knob is self-centering to the neutral position.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first rotary knob is displaceable in two directions from the neutral position.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second rotary knob is configured to move in steps characterized by detents.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the third rotary knob is configured to move in steps characterized by detents.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the remote jog handle further includes a light source for illuminating the machine tool.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the remote jog handle is communicably coupled with the machine tool over a wired connection.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the remote jog handle is communicably coupled with the machine tool over a wireless connection.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the remote jog handle includes a display screen for displaying information about the machine tool.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the display screen is a touch screen configured to accept operator input to control the machine tool.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the remote jog handle further includes one or more input buttons along a perimeter of the display screen, wherein a function of the one or more input buttons corresponds to a displayed function on the display screen.

15. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a cradle configured to disable the remote jog handle when the remote jog handle is disposed therein.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the cradle is configured to charge a battery of the remote jog handle when the remote jog handle is disposed therein.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is disposed in the remote jog handle.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

18. A computer numerical control machine tool comprising:

a work tool movable along a plurality of selectable axes of movement; and

a control system including;

a remote jog handle including a plurality of coaxial rotary knobs configured to control the machine tool, the plurality of coaxial rotary knobs including a first rotary knob deflectable from a neutral position, a second rotary knob and a third rotary knob; and

a controller configured to;

receive information corresponding to an actuation of the third rotary knob and to output a control signal to select an axis of movement of the work tool from the plurality of selectable axes of movement,

receive information corresponding to an actuation of the second rotary knob and to output a control signal to control a movement of the work tool in the selected axis of movement in discrete steps, and

receive information corresponding to an amount of deflection of the first rotary knob from the neutral position and to output a control signal to control a movement of the work tool in the selected axis of movement at a rate corresponding to the amount of deflection of the first rotary knob from the neutral position.

19. The computer numerical control machine tool of claim 18, wherein the first rotary knob is configured to automatically return to the neutral position when released by an operator.

22. The computer numerical control machine tool of claim 18, wherein the control system further includes a cradle configured to disable the remote jog handle when the remote jog handle is disposed therein.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

23. A remote jog handle for controlling a computer numerical control machine tool, the remote jog handle comprising:

a plurality of coaxial rotary knobs configured to control the machine tool, the plurality of coaxial rotary knobs including a first rotary knob deflectable from a neutral position, a second rotary knob and a third rotary knob;

a controller configured to;

receive information corresponding to an actuation of the third rotary knob and to output a control signal to select an axis of movement of the machine tool from a plurality of selectable axes of movement,

receive information corresponding to an actuation of the second rotary knob and to output a control signal to control a movement of the machine tool in the selected axis of movement in discrete steps, and

receive information corresponding to an amount of deflection of the first rotary knob from the neutral position and to output a control signal to control a movement of the machine tool in the selected axis of movement at a rate corresponding to the amount of deflection of the first rotary knob from the neutral position; and

a controllable light source for illuminating the machine tool.

24. The remote jog handle of claim 23, wherein the controllable light source is configurable to operate in a constant mode, a strobe mode, or in a dimmed mode.

25. The remote jog handle of claim 23, further including an internal power supply, wherein the remote jog handle is communicably coupled with the machine tool over a wireless connection.