Method and system for programmable numerical control
First Claim
1. A method of controlling a plurality of machine tools including a first machine tool and one or more additional machine tools, the method comprising:
- providing a controller 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 each of the plurality of machine tools; and
wherein the parameters include axis coordinates for instructing a servo to move a machine tool part to a position as specified by the first part program;
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 a first edit path buffer of the one or more edit path buffers, and wherein the first 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, and the first edit path buffer to allow for simultaneous execution and editing of the first part program; and
operating the first machine tool in accordance with the first part program and each of the one or more additional machine tools respectively in accordance with either the first part program or one or more additional part programs, wherein the first machine tool and the one or more additional machine tools are run simultaneously.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a plurality of machine tools including a first machine tool and one or more additional machine tools, the method comprising:
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providing a controller 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 each of the plurality of machine tools; and
wherein the parameters include axis coordinates for instructing a servo to move a machine tool part to a position as specified by the first part program;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 a first edit path buffer of the one or more edit path buffers, and wherein the first 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, and the first edit path buffer to allow for simultaneous execution and editing of the first part program; and operating the first machine tool in accordance with the first part program and each of the one or more additional machine tools respectively in accordance with either the first part program or one or more additional part programs, wherein the first machine tool and the one or more additional machine tools are run simultaneously. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of controlling plurality of machine tools including a first machine tool and one or more additional machine tools, the method comprising:
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receiving at least one part program at a controller, wherein the at least one part program includes parameters for guiding the machine tools, wherein the parameters include axis coordinates for instructing a servo to move a machine tool part to a position as specified by the at least one part program; storing the at least one part program in a string array library of a memory portion of the controller; receiving a first selection signal at an operator interface indicating a first selection of a first part program of the at least one part program and communicating the first selection to the controller; decoding the first part program identified by the first selection into commands and associated real value axis positions; storing the commands and associated real value axis positions and generating motion instructions to execute the commands; receiving a second selection signal at the operator interface indicating an additional selection of the first machine tool, from among the plurality of machine tools, for performing a process in accordance with the first part program; and communicating the motion instructions at least indirectly to both the operator interface and the first machine tool, so that the first machine tool operates based upon the first part program and so that a representation of an execution of the first part program is displayed at the operator interface; wherein the memory portion is configured to provide for simultaneous execution and editing of the first part program, and wherein a first additional machine tool of the one or more additional machine tools is operated, based upon the at least one part program, simultaneously with the operating of the first machine tool. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of controlling a plurality of machine tools including a first machine tool and one or more additional machine tools, the method comprising:
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storing a first part program in a part program library of a memory portion of a controller configured to interface with the plurality of machine tools, and storing a plurality of part programs including the first part program in the form of string arrays in the memory portion of the controller upon receipt of the plurality of part programs at the controller, wherein the first part program includes parameters for guiding the first machine tool wherein the parameters include axis coordinates for instructing a servo to move a machine tool part to a position as specified by the first part program; 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 controller 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; wherein the memory portion is configured to provide for simultaneous execution and editing of the first part program, and operating the machine tools of the plurality of machine tools simultaneously based upon the plurality of part programs. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification