Control method and apparatus for plate material processing machine

• US 6,243,619 B1
• Filed: 04/02/1997
• Issued: 06/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Amada Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Amada Company Limited
• Inventors: Inamasu, Toru, Nishiyama, Kiyotaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Grant, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garland, Steven R.
• Application Number:
  US08/832,536
• Time in Patent Office: 1,525 Days
• Field of Search: 348/153, 360/18, 386/117, 834/10, 834/09, 834/686, 100/48, 100/53, 72/61, 700/83, 700/114, 700/108, 700/145, 700/166, 700/174, 700/175, 700/180, 700/84, 700/87, 700/86, 700/85, 700/165, 700/172, 700/249, 700/264, 700/200, 463/14, 345/337
• 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 2219/35433 During execution, display asks for parameters, operator answers, machine again
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35494 Online documentation, manual, procedures, operator, user guidance, assistance
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36118 Adapt interactive dialog, help to experience, short cut menu
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36122 Operator menu with submenu for each item
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/965 for process control and configuration

Abstract

An operating state setting device and method of a plate material processing machine, includes multiple keys having corresponding functions relating to operation of the plate material processing machine. The keys include a skill mode selecting key for selecting an expert or beginner mode, an automatic mode key for executing a numeric control processing program, a manual mode key for allocating manual control of a movable member to the operator and moving keys for controlling the movable member in the manual mode. A numerically controlled controller is provided for setting an operating state of the plate material processing machine corresponding to the selected skill mode and executing a detailed procedure in the expert mode and a simple procedure in the beginner mode. The simple procedure may include an internal execution procedure and an editing history selection and corresponding product image display.

Claims

1. An operating state setting method of a plate material processing machine having a plurality of keys, each having a distinct corresponding function relating to an operation of the plate material processing machine, such that an operating state is changed according to an input of at least one of the plurality of keys, the operating state setting method comprising:

setting an operating state corresponding to a key input operation in a detailed procedure for an experienced operator when an expert mode is selected via a first one of the plurality of keys; and

setting an operating state corresponding to a key input operation in a simple procedure for an inexperienced operator when a beginner mode is selected via a second one of the plurality of keys;

wherein the simple procedure comprises an internal execution procedure, which is activated by sequentially selecting a beginner mode selecting key and at least one moving key, and which changes an automatic mode to a manual mode, the internal execution procedure automatically executing at least one manual operating step of the detailed procedure, thereby eliminating the at least one manual operating step from the simple procedure.

2. The operating state setting method of claim 1, wherein the internal execution procedure automatically executes at least a stoppage command for stopping a movable member.

3. The operating state setting method of claim 1, further comprising verbally instructing an operator, via an automated talking system, to perform each operating step of the key input operation in the simple procedure when the beginner mode is selected.

4. The operating state setting method of claim 1, wherein the operating state of the plate material processing machine set by the key input operation in the simple procedure at a time of selecting the beginner mode is the same as the operating state of the plate material processing machine set by the key input operation in the detailed procedure at a time of selecting the expert mode.

5. An operating state setting method of a plate material processing machine having a plurality of keys, each having a distinct corresponding function relating to an operation of the plate material processing machine, such that an operating state is changed according to an input of at least one of the plurality of keys, the operating state setting method comprising:

setting an operating state corresponding to a key input operation in a detailed procedure for an experienced operator when an expert mode is selected via a first one of the plurality of keys; and

setting an operating state corresponding to a key input operation in a simple procedure for an inexperienced operator when a beginner mode is selected via a second one of the plurality of keys;

wherein the simple procedure comprises selecting a most recent editing history corresponding to numerically controlled data from among a plurality of numerically controlled data and displaying, on a display screen, at least one product image corresponding to the selected editing history.

6. The operating state setting method of claim 5, further comprising verbally instructing an operator, via an automated talking system, to perform each operating step of the key input operation in the simple procedure when the beginner mode is selected.

7. The operating state setting method of claim 5, wherein the operating state of the plate material processing machine set by the key input operation in the simple procedure at a time of selecting the beginner mode is the same as the operating state of the plate material processing machine set by the key input operation in the detailed procedure at a time of selecting the expert mode.

8. An operating state setting device of a plate material processing machine comprising:

a plurality of keys, each key having a corresponding function relating to an operation of the plate material processing machine, said plurality of keys comprising;

a skill mode selecting key for selecting one of an expert mode and a beginner mode;

an automatic mode key for executing a numeric control processing program having a processing procedure for a selected product;

a manual mode key for allocating manual control of a movable member of the plate material processing machine; and

at least one moving key for controlling at least a moving direction and a moving distance of the movable member whenever the manual mode key is selected; and

a numerically controlled controller that sets an operating state of the plate material processing machine corresponding to the skill mode selected via the skill mode selecting key, the operating state comprising a key input operation in a detailed procedure when the expert mode is selected and a key input operation in a simple procedure when the beginner mode is selected, the simple procedure comprising an internal execution procedure, which is activated when the beginner mode selecting key and at least one moving key are selected sequentially, and which changes an automatic mode to a manual mode;

wherein the internal execution procedure automatically executes at least one manual operating step of the detailed procedure, thereby eliminating the at least one manual operating step from the simple procedure.

9. The operating state setting device of claim 8, wherein the internal execution procedure automatically executes at least a stoppage command for stopping the movable member.

10. The operating state setting device of claim 8, further comprising an automated talking system that verbally instructs an operator to perform each operating step of the key input operation in the simple procedure when the beginner mode is selected.

11. The operating state setting device of claim 8, wherein the operating state of the plate material processing machine set by the key input operation in the simple procedure at a time of selecting the beginner mode is the same as the operating state set by the key input operation in the detailed procedure at a time of selecting the expert mode.

12. An operating state setting device of a plate material processing machine comprising:

a plurality of keys, each having a distinct corresponding function relating to an operation of the plate material processing machine, said plurality of keys comprising;

a skill mode selecting key for selecting one of an expert mode and a beginner mode;

an automatic mode key for executing a numeric control processing program having a processing procedure for a selected product;

a manual mode key for allocating manual control of a movable member of the plate material processing machine; and

an editing key for editing of stored numerically controlled data; and

a numerically controlled controller that sets an operating state of the plate material processing machine corresponding to the skill mode selected via the skill mode selecting key, the operating state comprising a key input operation in a detailed procedure when the expert mode is selected and a key input operation in a simple procedure when the beginner mode is selected, the simple procedure comprising selecting a most recent editing history corresponding to numerically controlled data from among a plurality of numerically controlled data and displaying on a display screen at least one product image corresponding to the selected editing history.

13. The operating state setting device of claim 12, further comprising an automated talking system that verbally instructs an operator to perform each operating step of the key input operation in the simple procedure when the beginner mode is selected.

14. The operating state setting device of claim 12, wherein the operating state of the plate material processing machine set by the key input operation in the simple procedure at a time of selecting the beginner mode is the same as the operating state set by the key input operation in the detailed procedure at a time of selecting the expert mode.