Method of controlling a machine tool

• US 8,688,258 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2008
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Miller, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad
• Assistant Examiner(s): Booker, Kelvin
• Application Number:
  US12/208,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20100063608A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,028 Days
• Field of Search: 700/180, 700/159, 700/17
• US Class Current: 700/180
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/402 characterised by control arrangements for positioning, e.g. centring a tool relative to a hole in the workpiece, additional detection means to correct position G05B19/19 takes precedence
• 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 19/409 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 19/414 Structure of the control system, e.g. common controller or multiprocessor systems, interface to servo, programmable interface controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34303 PNC is plc, pic and nc cooperation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

A method of controlling a machine tool and other controlled devices, as well as a programmable numerical control (PNC) system, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the method of controlling includes receiving a first part program at a programmable logic controller (PLC), and storing the first part program in a string array library of a memory portion of the PLC. The method further includes communicating information between the PLC and an operator interface regarding the first part program, and providing a first signal from the PLC to a first port so as to cause the first machine tool to be operated in accordance with the first part program. Also, in at least some embodiments, the PNC system allows for control of multiple machine tools and/or other controlled devices, by way of one or more part programs, and/or for editing of a part program while that program is being executed.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a controlled device, the method comprising:

receiving at least one part program at a programmable logic controller (PLC);

storing the at least one part program in a string array library of a memory portion of the PLC;

communicating information to an operator interface regarding the stored at least one part program;

receiving a first selection signal at the operator interface indicating a first selection of a first of the at least one part program and communicating the first selection to the PLC;

copying the selected part program to an active program buffer of the memory portion;

receiving a second selection signal at the operator interface indicating a second selection of a machine tool that is to perform a process in accordance with the selected part program;

decoding the selected part program into commands and associated real value axis positions;

storing the commands and associated real value axis positions and generating instructions to execute the commands; and

communicating the commands and associated real value axis positions at least indirectly to both the operator interface and machine tool, so that the machine tool operates based upon the selected part program and so that a representation of an execution of the selected part program is displayed at the operator interface.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying the at least one of a selected part program and an unselected part program during machine tool operation.

3. A method of controlling a machine tool, the method comprising:

receiving at least one part program at a programmable logic controller (PLC);

storing the at least one part program in a string array library of a memory portion of the PLC;

receiving a first selection signal at the operator interface indicating a first selection of a first of the at least one part program and communicating the first selection to the PLC;

decoding the selected part program into commands and associated real value axis positions;

storing the commands and associated real value axis positions and generating instructions to execute the commands;

communicating the commands and associated real value axis positions at least indirectly to both the operator interface and machine tool, so that the machine tool operates based upon the selected part program and so that a representation of an execution of the selected part program is displayed at the operator interface; and

receiving a second selection signal at the operator interface indicating a second selection of a machine tool that is to perform a process in accordance with the selected part program.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein a plurality of part programs including the at least one part program are received at the PLC, and wherein the communicating includes receiving a selection signal at the operator interface indicating that the first of the at least one part program should be run so that the first machine tool is operated in accordance with the first of the at least one part program.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

displaying at least one block of the first of the at least one part program on the operator interface.

6. A method of controlling a machine tool, the method comprising:

storing a first part program in a part program library of a memory portion of a programmable automation controller (PAC) configured to interface with a machine tool, and storing a plurality of part programs including the first part program in the form of string arrays in the memory portion of the PAC upon receipt of the plurality of part programs at the programmable automation controller (PAC);

decoding the first part program into commands and associated real number axis coordinates after a receipt of a first selection of the first part program; and

storing the commands and associated real number axis coordinates for execution of the first part program,

wherein the PAC is capable of segregating and storing the plurality of part programs, wherein the segregating includes assigning each of the part programs to a distinct location in the part program library.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the storing of the first part program in the part program library of the memory portion of the PAC includes the storing of the first part program in the form of a string array.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the PAC is capable of communicating the commands and associated real number axis coordinates at least indirectly to at least one of an operator interface and the machine tool.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the commands and associated real number axis coordinates communicatable by the PAC are interpretable in the form of a graphical representation of an execution of the selected first part program for display at the operator interface.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the memory portion further includes an offset library comprising a real number array.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the PAC is capable of receiving a first selection signal to indicate the selection of the first part program for execution.

12. A method of controlling a machine tool, the method comprising:

providing a programmable automation controller (PAC) having a memory portion with a part program library configured to receive a first part program in at least one string array, wherein the first part program includes parameters for guiding a machine tool;

allocating an active tool path buffer and an active display path buffer in the memory portion, wherein the active tool path buffer is configured to serve as a memory source for the first part program when decoding the first part program for execution, and wherein the active display path buffer is capable of communicating a status of the first part program during execution of the first part program;

allocating one or more edit path buffers in the memory portion, wherein a copy of the first part program is receivable into at least one edit path buffer, and wherein the edit path buffer is capable of providing the first part program for display on an interface and for receiving inputs from the interface to modify the first part program;

configuring the active tool path buffer, the active display path buffer, the edit path buffer to allow for simultaneous execution and editing of the first part program; and

communicating commands based upon the first part program at least indirectly to both the interface and machine tool, so that the machine tool operates based upon the first part program and so that a representation of the execution of the first part program is displayed at the interface.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving two or more part programs including the first part program into distinct edit path buffers in the memory portion; and

receiving a selection signal at the interface indicating that the first part program should be run so that the first machine tool is operated in accordance with the first part program.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing an offset library real number array in the memory portion for receiving offset inputs capable of modifying the execution of the part program.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

allocating one or more active offset buffers in the memory portion for receiving offset data associated with the part program.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

allocating one or more edit offset buffers configured to allow for the simultaneous operations of providing offset data for use with the part program and editing the stored offset data associated with the part program during operation of the part program.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the communicating further includes communicating of real number axis coordinates as decoded from the first part program.