Computer numerical control utilizing synchronized logic execution in an open computer platform

• US 6,510,361 B1
• Filed: 01/28/2000
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company LLC (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Rockwell Automation, Inc.)
• Inventors: Govindaraj, Subbian, Steh, Stephen L., Martin, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Paul P.
• Application Number:
  US09/494,005
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 700/17, 700/18, 700/180-182, 700/160, 700/169, 710/15, 710/18, 707/501, 709/200
• US Class Current: 700/180
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4145 characterised by using same processor to execute programmable controller and numerical controller function [CNC] and PC controlled NC [PCNC]
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34251 Cnc works with different operating systems, windows, os-2, vms in parallel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34253 Unix
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34278 Motion control board, card, in pc

Abstract

A computer numerical control system for controlling and monitoring machine motion. The CNC system combines a CNC executive and a logic engine for controlling execution of a part program. The logic engine is capable of executing under an operating system of a personal computer. The logic engine is coupled to the CNC executive such that the logic application can be executed in synchronization with the CNC executive.

Claims

1. A computer numerical control system for controlling and monitoring machine motion, comprising:

a CNC executive running on a separate PCI card coupled to a bus in a personal computer; and

a personal computer having a logic engine executing under an operating system of the personal computer, wherein the logic engine is coupled to the CNC executive as its only logic engine such that a logic application can be executed in synchronization with the CNC executive.

2. The computer numerical control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the bus comprises a PCI bus.

3. The computer numerical control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the CNC executive is coupled to the logic engine across a network.

4. The computer numerical control system as recited in claim 3, wherein the network comprises an Ethernet network.

5. The computer numerical control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the operating system comprises a workstation-based operating system.

6. The computer numerical control system as recited in claim 1, wherein the operating system comprises a Windows™

-based operating system.

7. The computer numerical control system as recited in claim 6, wherein the Windows-based operating system is a WindowsNT198 operating system.

8. A system for controlling manipulation of a component, comprising:

a machine tool connectable to the component;

a CNC executive coupled to the machine tool to provide commands that control activity of the machine tool in manipulating the component; and

a logic engine capable of executing under a personal computer operating system and disposed in communication with the CNC executive across a bus to provide all logic functionality for the CNC executive.

9. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the personal computer operating system comprises a workstation-based operating system.

10. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the personal computer operating system comprises a Windows™

-based operating system.

11. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the Windows™

-based operating system comprises a windowsNT™

operating system.

12. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the bus comprises a PCI bus.

13. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the CNC executive and the logic engine are resident at a single workstation.

14. The system as recited in claim 8, wherein the CNC executive and the logic engine are able to communicate across a network.

15. A method for executing a part program on a machine, comprising:

utilizing a logic application based on a personal computer operating system;

providing a CNC executive on a separate PCI card, the CNC executive being capable of executing at least a portion of the part program; and

synchronizing the execution of the logic application with the execution of the part program.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising executing the part program to control motion of the machine with respect to a component.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein utilizing includes utilizing a workstation-based logic application.

18. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein utilizing includes utilizing a Window™

-based logic application.

19. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising executing the logic application on a logic engine resident on a personal computer.

20. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising coupling the logic engine to the CNC executive across a bus.