Numerical control unit that pre-announces scheduled operations
First Claim
1. In a numerical control unit for performing numerical control processing on the basis of a machining command program and driving a machine tool according to the results of said processing whereby a workpiece is machined, the improvement comprising:
- a clock for counting a cycle signal and updating an initial time to generate a current time;
initial time setting means for setting said clock at a selectable initial time;
current time reading means for reading a current time from said clock;
a time memory table for storing at least one of (i) a first expected run time of the machining command program and (ii) a second expected run time from the start of the machining command program to the execution of at least one specified command in the machining command program;
expected run time setting means for storing in said time memory table at least one of said first expected run time and said second expected run time;
time expecting means for operating on at least one of said first expected run time and second expected run time from said table and a current time from said clock and thereby generating a corresponding first expected end time, comprising the end of said run, and a second expected end time, comprising the time of specified command execution;
automatic start detecting means for detecting the start of the machining command program run; and
wherein said current time reading means is operative to read the current time in response to the detection by said automatic start detecting means of the start of the machining command program run, andin response thereto, said time expecting means operates on at least one of said first expected run end time and said second expected run end time from said time expecting means and said first expected run time and second expected run time stored in said time memory table.
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Abstract
A numerical control unit and method of operation therefor which pre-announces scheduled parts ordering, maintenance, loading, unloading and inspection times by display or audio notice to an operator. On the basis of a programmed control of the machine in block form and a reference time of day (including day, week, month, year etc.) generated by a clock, time related information is stored and the time for performance of time-related events are calculated. The stored time-related information can include (i) the expected run time for the entire machining program or for a portion of the program until the occurrence of a specific program event, such as the execution of a specified command; (if) the expected schedule times for machine operation and inspection events, such as power-on/off, run start, cutting start, etc.; and (iii), the messages related to operational events and machine conditions. The calculated information can include the expected end times for an entire run, for the occurrence of a specified command, for machine operation and inspection events, determined on the basis of the current time of day and the actual execution of the machine operation. The calculated information is updated with machine operation and is used as the basis for reading and displaying/announcing messages concerning the machine condition.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. In a numerical control unit for performing numerical control processing on the basis of a machining command program and driving a machine tool according to the results of said processing whereby a workpiece is machined, the improvement comprising:
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a clock for counting a cycle signal and updating an initial time to generate a current time; initial time setting means for setting said clock at a selectable initial time; current time reading means for reading a current time from said clock; a time memory table for storing at least one of (i) a first expected run time of the machining command program and (ii) a second expected run time from the start of the machining command program to the execution of at least one specified command in the machining command program; expected run time setting means for storing in said time memory table at least one of said first expected run time and said second expected run time; time expecting means for operating on at least one of said first expected run time and second expected run time from said table and a current time from said clock and thereby generating a corresponding first expected end time, comprising the end of said run, and a second expected end time, comprising the time of specified command execution; automatic start detecting means for detecting the start of the machining command program run; and wherein said current time reading means is operative to read the current time in response to the detection by said automatic start detecting means of the start of the machining command program run, and in response thereto, said time expecting means operates on at least one of said first expected run end time and said second expected run end time from said time expecting means and said first expected run time and second expected run time stored in said time memory table. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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18. A numerical control unit comprising:
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a clock for counting a cycle signal and updating time of day; TOD setting means for setting arbitrary time of day to the clock; TOD reading means for reading time of day from said clock; an inspection awaiting information memory table for storing inspection awaiting information, said inspection awaiting information comprising one or more of data identifying inspection items, inspection intervals, related inspection information link information, and inspection awaiting start time; TOD comparing means for comparing the time of day read from said clock and the scheduled inspection time of day; inspection completion information input means; a run schedule memory for storing at least one of scheduled times of day for power-on, run start and cutting start, and scheduled times of day for power-off, run end and cutting end; setting means for storing in said run schedule memory at least one of said scheduled times of day for power-on, run start and cutting start, and said scheduled times of day for power-off, run end and cutting end; next scheduled inspection TOD estimating means for estimating next scheduled inspection time of day from said inspection interval, inspection awaiting start time of day, and run schedule; registering and deleting means for registering new inspection awaiting information in said inspection awaiting information memory table and deleting specific inspection awaiting information from said inspection awaiting information memory table; reporting means for reporting at least the scheduled inspection time of day and scheduled inspection time of day arrival information; wherein the associated inspection awaiting information may be deleted from or newly generated inspection time registered to said inspection awaiting information memory table when inspection completion information is entered; wherein the next scheduled inspection time of day may be estimated from the time of day read from said clock and said inspection interval, inspection awaiting start time of day, inspection time counting condition and run schedule corresponding to the inspection awaiting information; means for updating and for reporting the scheduled inspection time of day in the inspection awaiting information; and means for comparing the time of day read from said clock with the scheduled inspection time of day in said inspection awaiting information, and means for reporting scheduled inspection time of day arrival information when said clock is past the scheduled inspection time of day. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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27. A numerical control method comprising:
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generating a time of day value; storing inspection awaiting information, said inspection awaiting information comprising one or more of data identifying inspection items, inspection intervals, related inspection information link information, and inspection awaiting start time; comparing said generated time of day and the scheduled inspection time of day; storing at least one of scheduled times of day for power-on, run start and cutting start, and scheduled times of day for power-off, run end and cutting end; storing at least one of said scheduled times of day for power-on, run start and cutting start, and said scheduled times of day for power-off, run end and cutting end; estimating next scheduled inspection time of day from said inspection interval, inspection awaiting start time of day, and a run schedule; registering new inspection awaiting information in an inspection awaiting information memory table and deleting specific inspection awaiting information from said inspection awaiting information memory table; reporting at least the scheduled inspection time of day and scheduled inspection time of day arrival information; wherein the associated inspection awaiting information may be deleted from or newly generated inspection time registered to said inspection awaiting information memory table when inspection completion information is entered; wherein the next scheduled inspection time of day may be estimated from said generated time of day and said inspection interval, inspection awaiting start time of day, inspection time counting condition and run schedule corresponding to the inspection awaiting information, and the scheduled inspection time of day in the inspection awaiting information may be updated and reported; and wherein said generated time of day is compared with the scheduled inspection time of day, and scheduled inspection time of day arrival information is reported when said generated time of day is past the scheduled inspection time of day.
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28. In a method of performing numerical control processing on the basis of a machining command program and driving a machine tool according to the results of said processing whereby a workpiece is machined, the improvement comprising:
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generating a current time; storing in a time memory table at least one of (i) a first expected run time of the machining command program and (ii) a second expected run time from the start of the machining command program to the execution of at least one specified command in the machining command program; analyzing the machining command program and generating analysis data; operating on expected execution time from said analysis data; accumulating the expected execution time; determining a run end command and specific commands from said analysis data; wherein at least one of said first expected run time and said second expected run time is operated on and set into said time memory table; and generating, on the basis of a current time value and at least one of said first expected run time and said second expected run time, a corresponding first expected end time, comprising the end of said command program run, and a second expected end time, comprising the time of a specified command execution.
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29. In a method of performing numerical control processing on the basis of a machining command program and driving a machine tool according to the results of said processing whereby a workpiece is machined, the improvement comprising:
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generating a current time; storing in a time memory table at least one of (i) a first expected run time of the machining command program and (ii) a second expected run time from the start of the machining command program to the execution of at least one specified command in the machining command program; generating, on the basis of a current time value and at least one of said first expected run time and said second expected run time, a corresponding first expected end time, comprising the end of said command program run, and a second expected end time, comprising the time of a specified command execution; reporting a scheduled time of arrival; comparing said current time with at least one of said first expected end time and said second expected end time; and generating a scheduled time of arrival report in response to said current time being past said at least one first and second expected end time.
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30. In a method of performing numerical control processing on the basis of a machining command program and driving a machine tool according to the results of said processing whereby a workpiece is machined, the improvement comprising:
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generating a current time; storing in a time memory table at least one of (i) a first expected run time of the machining command program and (ii) a second expected run time from the start of the machining command program to the execution of at least one specified command in the machining command program; generating, on the basis of a current time value and at least one of said first expected run time and said second expected run time, a corresponding first expected end time, comprising the end of said command program run, and a second expected end time, comprising the time of a specified command execution; storing in said expected time memory table at least one of said first expected end time and said second expected end time; storing resultant times associated with at least one of said first and second expected end times; and displaying said expected time and said resultant time.
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31. In a method of performing numerical control processing on the basis of a machining command program and driving a machine tool according to the results of said processing whereby a workpiece is machined, the improvement comprising:
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generating a current time; storing in a time memory table at least one of (i) a first expected run time of the machining command program and (ii) a second expected run time from the start of the machining command program to the execution of at least one specified command in the machining command program; generating, on the basis of a current time value and at least one of said first expected run time and said second expected run time, a corresponding first expected end time, comprising the end of said command program run, and a second expected end time, comprising the time of a specified command execution; storing a chip volume to be ejected; analyzing the machining command program; calculating an expected chip volume from analysis data; accumulating said expected chip volumes; comparing the expected chip volume accumulation and the ejected chip volume, specifying each command block wherein the expected chip volume accumulation is greater than an integral multiple of the ejected chip volume, and specifying blocks for which chips must be ejected; operating on expected execution time from said analysis data; accumulating said expected execution time; determining the ejection block specified according to said analysis data; and wherein the expected run end time until the ejection block in the machining command program is executed is operated on and stored.
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32. In a method of performing numerical control processing on the basis of a machining command program and driving a machine tool according to the results of said processing whereby a workpiece is machined, the improvement comprising:
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generating a current time; storing in a time memory table at least one of (i) a first expected run time of the machining command program and (ii) a second expected run time from the start of the machining command program to the execution of at least one specified command in the machining command program; generating, on the basis of a current time value and at least one of said first expected run time and said second expected run time, a corresponding first expected end time, comprising the end of said command program run, and a second expected end time, comprising the time of a specified command execution; storing a chip volume to be ejected; analyzing the machining command program; calculating an expected chip volume from analysis data; accumulating said expected chip volumes; comparing the expected chip volume accumulation and the ejected chip volume, specifying each command block wherein the expected chip volume accumulation is greater than an integral multiple of the ejected chip volume, and specifying blocks for which chips must be ejected; operating on expected execution time from said analysis data; accumulating said expected execution time; determining the ejection block specified according to said analysis data; and wherein the expected run end time until the ejection block in the machining command program is executed is operated on and stored; and specifying as the ejection block a first tool change command given after any command blocks wherein the expected chip volume accumulation is greater than an integral multiple of the ejected chip volume.
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33. In a method of performing numerical control processing on the basis of a machining command program and driving a machine tool according to the results of said processing whereby a workpiece is machined, the improvement comprising:
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generating a current time; storing in a time memory table at least one of (i) a first expected run time of the machining command program and (ii) a second expected run time from the start of the machining command program to the execution of at least one specified command in the machining command program; and generating, on the basis of a current time value and at least one of said first expected run time and said second expected run time, a corresponding first expected end time, comprising the end of said command program run, and a second expected end time, comprising the time of a specified command execution; storing messages of a run end command and specific commands corresponding to the time memory table; storing said messages in a message memory table; and reporting the messages.
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Specification