Method for controlling a production machine, in particular a machine tool, with the controller associated with a production machine

• US 20050090910A1
• Filed: 10/14/2004
• Published: 04/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Dolansky, Stefan
• Granted Patent: US 7,302,302 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/20
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/056 Programming the PLC
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41845 characterised by system universality, reconfigurability, modularity
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 Management or planning

Abstract

A production machine has a controller and a plurality of components that include link addresses associated with a memory region of a separate computer that can be connected with the controller via a computer-to-computer link. Parameter data for the components are stored in the memory region. The link addresses are stored either in the components themselves or in component associated with these components. The controller accesses the link addresses and then uses the link addresses to access parameter data. The controller executes a control program to determine control commands for components, such as actuators, of the production machine, with the control commands depending on the parameter data, and transmits the control commands to the production machine.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a production machine having plurality of components, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a controller for the production machine, said controller controlled by a control program;

providing a computer separate from the controller, said computer having a memory region and being at least temporarily connectable with the controller by a computer-to-computer link;

associating with each of the components a corresponding link address to the memory region of the computer;

storing the corresponding link address of a component in the component itself or in another component associated with the component; and

storing parameter data for at least one of the components in the memory region;

wherein the controller

accesses the link addresses and the parameter data via the link addresses, determines based on the control program control commands for the components of the production machine, said control commands depending on the parameter data, and

transmits the control commands to the production machine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the components is an electrical component.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the electrical component comprises a component selected from the group consisting of input unit, output unit, motor, power supply, converter, sensor and actuator.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the components is a mechanical component.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the mechanical component comprises a gear.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the link address comprises a type address adapted for recalling from the computer configuration-specific parameter data of the corresponding component, and an individual address adapted for recalling from the computer component-specific, user-specific or application-specific parameter data, or a combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the components is a sensor and wherein the controller measures with the at least one sensor a component state of at least one of the components and transmits at least occasionally the measured component state or information derived from the measured component state to the computer via a link address associated with this component.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer-computer link is implemented as a LAN or an Internet link.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the production machine is a machine tool.

10. A data carrier having stored thereon a computer program for controlling a controller of a production machine having a plurality of components, said controller at least temporarily connectable via a computer-to-computer link with a computer that is separate from the controller and includes a memory region that stores parameter data for at least one of the components, wherein each of the components includes a corresponding link address to the memory region of the computer, said link address being stored in the component itself or in another component associated with that component;

said computer program causing the controller to;

access the link addresses and hence also the parameter data via the link addresses,

determine from the parameter data control commands for the components of the production machine, and

transmit the control commands to the production machine.

11. A controller for a production machine having plurality of components, said controller comprising

a program memory having a computer program stored therein and being executed in the controller,

a computer that is separate from the controller and includes a memory region storing parameter data for at least one of the components, said computer at least temporarily connectable via a computer-to-computer link with the controller, wherein each of the components includes a corresponding link address to the memory region of the computer, said link address being stored in a component or in another component associated with that component;

said computer program causing the controller to;

access the link addresses and hence also the parameter data via the link addresses,

determine from the parameter data control commands for the components of the production machine, and

transmit the control commands to the production machine.

12. A production machine comprising

a controller and a plurality of components,

a computer that is separate from the controller and includes a memory region storing parameter data for at least one of the components, said computer at least temporarily connectable via a computer-to-computer link with the controller, wherein each of the components includes an address memory having stored therein a corresponding link address to a corresponding memory region of the computer, said address memory being located in a component or in another component associated with that component, with the controller being connected with the address memories of the components for data transfer therebetween, said computer program causing the controller to:

access the link addresses and hence also the parameter data via the link addresses,

determine from the parameter data control commands for the components of the production machine, and

transmit the control commands to the production machine.