METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROGRAMMABLE NUMERICAL CONTROL
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of controlling a machine tool and other controlled devices, as well as a programmable numerical control (PNC) system, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method of controlling includes receiving a first part program at a programmable logic controller (PLC), and storing the first part program in a string array library of a memory portion of the PLC. The method further includes communicating information between the PLC and an operator interface regarding the first part program, and providing a first signal from the PLC to a first port so as to cause the first machine tool to be operated in accordance with the first part program. Also, in at least some embodiments, the PNC system allows for control of multiple machine tools and/or other controlled devices, by way of one or more part programs, and/or for editing of a part program while that program is being executed.
104 Citations
52 Claims
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1-32. -32. (canceled)
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33. A method of controlling a machine tool, the method comprising:
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providing a controller having a memory portion with a part program library configured to receive a part program in at least one string array, wherein the part program includes parameters for guiding a machine tool; and allocating an active tool path buffer and an active display path buffer in the memory portion, wherein the active tool path buffer is configured to serve as a memory source for the part program when decoding the part program for execution, and wherein the active display path buffer is capable of communicating a status of the part program during execution of the part program. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A method of controlling a machine tool, the method comprising:
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receiving at least one part program at a controller; storing the at least one part program in a string array library of a memory portion of the controller; receiving a first selection signal at an operator interface indicating a first selection of a first of the at least one part program and communicating the first selection to the controller; decoding the selected part program identified by the first selection into commands and associated real value axis positions; storing the commands and associated real value axis positions and generating motion instructions to execute the commands; communicating the motion instructions at least indirectly to both the operator interface and machine tool, so that the machine tool operates based upon the selected part program and so that a representation of an execution of the selected part program is displayed at the operator interface; and receiving a second selection signal at the operator interface indicating a selection of a machine tool for performing a process in accordance with the selected part program. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46)
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47. A method of controlling a machine tool, the method comprising:
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storing a first part program in a part program library of a memory portion of a controller configured to interface with a machine tool, and storing a plurality of part programs including the first part program in the form of string arrays in the memory portion of the controller upon receipt of the plurality of part programs at the controller; decoding the first part program into commands and associated real number axis coordinates after a receipt of a first selection of the first part program; and storing the commands and associated real number axis coordinates for execution of the first part program, wherein the controller is capable of segregating and storing the plurality of part programs, wherein the segregating includes assigning each of the part programs to a distinct location in the part program library. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification