Numerical controller having expanded control word set

• US 5,914,876 A
• Filed: 06/05/1996
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Hirai, Hayao
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Paul P.
• Application Number:
  US08/659,234
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 364/191, 364/192, 364/193, 364/474.22, 364/474.23, 364/474.25, 364/474.27, 364/474.28, 364/474.29, 318/568.1, 318/567
• US Class Current: 700/87
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/408 characterised by data handling or data format, e.g. reading, buffering or conversion of data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4083 Adapting programme, configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41835 characterised by programme execution
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33128 Different spindles, axis controlled by configured paths, channel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34317 Execute same program on different machines by differently addressing axis
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34396 Control different groups of functions, commands simultaneously, synchronized
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35245 Expansion of control words, code of standard language to increase functionality
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/41255 Mode switch, select independent or dependent control of axis
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/50171 Machine, machining centre, center
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

In a numerically controlled system including one or more multiple axis, multiple function controlled machines, of the type wherein control is exercised through the use of a processing program including a plurality of control words for respectively controlling functions of one or more machines, the improvement of the invention resides in the use of an expanded set of the control words created by adding one or more subwords to the conventional control words control words, at least a portion of the subwords being specific to a control group within which the control word will be effective or an axis or plane in which the control word will operate. An interpreter for the expanded control words is provided for expanding a processing program containing expanded control words into a plurality of control programs, at least a portion of which are specific to ones of the control groups. According to the invention, each axis of each of one or more machines, and each function to be performed by each of one or more machines, may be uniquely specified through the use of one or more of the control words in combination with one or more of the subwords.

Claims

1. A numerically controlled system including one or more multiple axis, multiple function controlled machines, of the type wherein control is exercised through the use of a processing program directly executable by said one or more machines, the program being made up of a plurality of control words for respectively controlling functions of said one or more machines, said numerically controlled system further comprising:

means for defining an expanded set of control words by adding one or more subwords to said control words, at least a portion of said subwords being specific to at least one of a control group within which said control words will be effective for an axis or plane in which said control word will operate;

wherein said control group consists of one or more of said machines; and

means for interpreting said expanded control words and for expanding said processing program, which is directly executable by said one or more machines and contains said expanded control words, into a plurality of control programs, at least a portion of which are specific to respective ones of said control groups;

whereby each axis of each of said one or more machines, and each function to be performed by each of said one or more machines, may be uniquely specified through the use of one or more of said control words in combination with one or more of said subwords.

2. A numerically controlled system including one or more multiple axis, multiple function controlled machines, of the type wherein control is exercised through the use of a processing program directly executable by said one or more machines, the program being made up of a plurality of control words for respectively controlling functions of said one or more machines, said numerically controlled system further comprising:

means for defining an expanded set of control words by adding one or more subwords to said control words, at least a portion of said subwords being specific to at least one of a control group within which said control words will be effective for an axis or plane in which said control word will operate;

wherein said control group consists of one or more of said machines; and

means for interpreting said expanded control words and for expanding said processing program, which is directly executable by said one or more machines and contains said expanded control words, into a plurality of control programs, at least a portion of which are specific to respective ones of said control groups;

said means for interpreting further including means for recognizing generically used control words or expanded control words, and applying said generically used words to at least each control group in which said word is a valid command;

whereby each axis of each of said one or more machines, and each function to be performed by each of said one or more machines, may be uniquely specified through the use of one or more of said control words in combination with one or more of said subwords.

3. A numerically controlled system including one or more multiple axis, multiple function controlled machines, of the type wherein control is exercised through the use of a processing program directly executable by said one or more machines, the program being made up of a plurality of control words for respectively controlling functions of said one or more machines, the control words being arranged within sequences, said numerically controlled system further comprising:

means for defining an expanded set of control words by adding one or more subwords to said control words, at least a portion of said subwords being specific to at least one of a control group within which said control words will be effective for an axis or plane in which said control word will operate;

wherein said control group consists of one or more of said machines; and

means for interpreting said expanded control words and for expanding said processing program, which is directly executable by said one or more machines and contains said expanded control words, into a plurality of control programs, at least a portion of which are specific to respective ones of said control groups, wherein respective control words within the same sequence may be directed to more than one control group;

whereby each axis of each of said one or more machines, and each function to be performed by each of said one or more machines, may be uniquely specified through the use of one or more of said control words in combination with one or more of said subwords.

4. A numerically controlled system including one or more multiple axis, multiple function controlled machines, of the type wherein control is exercised through the use of a processing program directly executable by said one or more machines, the program being made up of a plurality of control words for respectively controlling functions of said one or more machines, said numerically controlled system further comprising:

means for defining an expanded set of control words by adding one or more dimension words to said control words, at least a portion of said dimension words being specific to at least one of a dimension within which said control words will be effective; and

means for interpreting said expanded control words and for expanding said processing program, which is directly executable by said one or more machines and contains said expanded control words, into a plurality of control programs, at least a portion of which are specific to respective ones of said dimensions;

said means for interpreting further including means for recognizing generically used control words or expanded control words, and for applying said generically used words to at least each dimension in which said words is a valid command;

wherein said dimension designates one or more of a plurality of axes;

whereby each axis of each of said one or more machines, and each function to be performed by each of said one or more machines, may be uniquely specified through the use of one or more of said control words in combination with one or more of said dimension words.

5. A numerically controlled system including one or more multiple axis, multiple function controlled machines, of the type wherein control is exercised through the use of a processing program directly executable by said one or more machines, the program being made up of a plurality of control words for respectively controlling functions of said one or more machines, the control words being arranged within sequences, said numerically controlled system further comprising:

means for defining an expanded set of control words by adding one or more subwords to said control words, at least a portion of said subwords being specific to at least one of a control group within which said control words will be effective or an axis or plane in which said control word will operate;

wherein said control group consists of one or more of said machines; and

means for interpreting said expanded control words and for expanding said processing program, which is directly executable by said one or more machines and contains said expanded control words, into a plurality of control programs, at least a portion of which are specific to respective ones of said control groups, wherein respective control words within the same sequence may be directed to more than one control group, said interpreting means including at least one parameter table which specifies valid control words and expanded control words within said controlled system, and includes information by which said control words may be expanded to form expanded control words specific to at least one of said control groups;

whereby each axis of each of said one or more machines, and each function to be performed by each of said one or more machines, may be uniquely specified through the use of one or more of said control words in combination with one or more of said subwords.