Programming platform for generating parts programs for machine tools or production machines

• US 6,901,309 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2004
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Hertinger, Klaus
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahta, Kidest
• Application Number:
  US10/783,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20040181305A1
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 700/174, 700/143, 700/108, 700/17, 700/254, 700/245, 700/258, 700/259, 700/260, 700/262, 701211-212, 701/215, 701/301, 901/1, 901/14, 901/5, 901/9, 318/568.11
• US Class Current: 700/174
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4069 Simulating machining process on screen G05B19/4068 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35308 Update simulator with actual machine, control parameters before start simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35489 Discriminate, different colour, highlight between two states
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36252 Generate machining program based on a simulation to optimize a machine parameter
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49157 Limitation, collision, interference, forbidden zones, avoid obstacles

Abstract

A programming platform for generating parts programs for a machine tool or production machine is described. A user inputs an instruction to an interpreter integrated in the programming platform, a simulator then simulates an effect of the instruction, and a display graphically displays to the user the effect of the instruction in the form of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional representation. A collision monitor monitors the effect of the instruction to determine if a collision between two or more machine elements and/or workpieces and/or tools can be expected. The programming platform hence represents a homogeneous integrated programming environment for generating, simulating and testing of parts programs for machine tools and production machines.

Claims

1. A programming platform for generating a parts program for a machine tool or production machine, comprising:

an interpreter receiving from a user an instruction commensurate with a movement of an element, and translating the instruction into a machine code;

a simulator receiving the machine code for simulating an effect of the instruction;

a collision monitor for monitoring the simulated effect of the instruction and identifying the presence of a collision as a result of the instruction; and

a display for graphically displaying to the user the simulated effect of the instruction in form of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional representation by highlighting the collision on the display and displaying in ASCII code the instruction causing the collision.

2. The programming platform of claim 1, wherein the instruction includes an instruction marked by the user or a program segment of the parts program.

3. The programming platform of claim 1, wherein the interpreter automatically expands a syntax of an instruction inputted by the user in form of individual characters so as to form a meaningful syntax character sequence if said inputted syntax is unambiguous, or presents the user with at least one possible syntax character sequence to make a selection if said inputted syntax is ambiguous.

4. The programming platform of claim 3, wherein the interpreter checks the syntax of the instruction each time an instruction is entered by the user.

5. The programming platform of claim 1, wherein the programming platform is selected from the group consisting of a stand-alone system, an online system implemented directly on the machine tool or production machine, and a server system in a networked environment.

6. The programming platform of claim 1, wherein the programming platform includes a monitor operating mode wherein an actual view of the machine is graphically displayed during a production process.

7. A method for generating parts program for a machine tool or production machine, comprising the steps of:

inputting into an interpreter an instruction commensurate with a movement of an element and translating the instruction into a machine code;

transferring the machine code to a simulator for simulating an effect of the instruction;

monitoring with a collision monitor the simulated effect of the instruction and identifying the presence of a collision as a result or the instruction; and

graphically displaying the simulated effect of the instruction to a user in form of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional representation by highlighting and dismaying the collision on the display and displaying in ASCII code the instruction causing the collision.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising marking the instruction or a program segment of the parts program.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising expanding a syntax of an instruction that is inputted in form of individual characters so as to form a meaningful syntax character sequence if said inputted syntax is unambiguous, or presenting the user with at least one possible syntax character sequence to aid the user in making a selection if said inputted syntax is ambiguous.

10. The method of claim 9, and further comprising checking the syntax of the instruction each time an instruction is entered by the user.

11. A The method of claim 7, and further comprising graphically displaying an actual view of the machine during a production process.