Communications adaptor for automated factory system

• US 4,901,218 A
• Filed: 03/04/1988
• Issued: 02/13/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Renishaw Controls Limited
• Original Assignee: Renishaw Controls Limited
• Inventors: Cornwell, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ruggiero, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US07/164,291
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 364/468, 364/131-135, 364/138, 364/139, 364/474.11, 364/474.37, 364/513, 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File, 364/551.02, 340/825.23, 340/825.06, 340/825.07
• US Class Current: 700/2
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31021 Between lan and machine, communication adapter which serves also sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31183 Token ring
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31344 Element, file server
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31345 Map backbone bus
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31346 Network manager
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31347 Communication adaptors between network and each machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31367 MMS manufacturing message specification, rs511, iso9506
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31368 MAP manufacturing automation protocol
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31394 Field management, low level, instruments and controllers acting in real time
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/32073 If inspection needed, stop machining, execute separate inspection program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34218 Transputer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35459 Knob, handle, handwheel delivers pulses, electronic handwheel, digipot
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35564 High speed data processor between host and nc for direct conversion of data
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35565 Communications adapter converts program to machine or controls directly machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36231 Translate, convert machine independent to machine dependent program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37002 Absence, detect absence, presence or correct position of workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37005 Absence of tool accessories, material, like nails, staples, glue
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37196 Measuring station, flexible, integrated cmm
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37211 Measure temperature, compensate cmm program for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37444 : Program cmm by using a stylus to detect points on a real workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37445 : Load teaching program from file server, enter teaching data at pendant
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 : Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

Factory machines such as CNC machine tools, co-ordinate measuring machines and industrial robots are connected in a local area network. Each machine controller is interfaced to the network via a communications adaptor which translates data, commands and programs between the Manufacturing Automation Protocal used by the network and the necessary machine-specific format. The communications adaptors are microprocessor-based and have additional input/output ports for controlling probes, other sensors such as temperature sensors and workpiece presence sensors, peripheral devices such as conveyors, and the "electronic handwheel" inputs of the machine controller. Controlling such devices from a program run in the communications adaptor rather than from the machine controller or from a computer on the network gives greater power, flexibility, convenience and potential for real-time control.

Claims

1. A factory system comprising:

a factory machine, having control means for controlling the operation of the machine, said control means accepting or transmitting data in a first data format;

a communications network for connecting a central computer to said factory machine and to one or more further factory machines, said communications network transmitting data in a second data format;

a communications adaptor connected between the control means of said machine and said network, said communications adaptor comprising data processing means for translating data between said first and second data formats, the data processing means having a plurality of means for input and/or output, said control means and said network being connected to first and second said input/output means respectively;

at least one sensing means associated with said machine, operative to produce an output relating to the state or operation of the machine, the sensing means being connected to deliver its said output to a said input/output means of the data processing means, distinct from said first and second input/output means; and

at least one means associated with said machine for performing an operation related thereto, said means for performing an operation being connected to a said input/output means of the data processing means, distinct from the first and second input/output means, the data processing means being programmable to control said means for performing an operation in accordance with the output of the sensing means.

2. A factory system according to claim 1 wherein the sensing means is a probe for measuring a workpiece placed on the machine.

3. A factory system according to claim 2 wherein the probe is a touch trigger probe.

4. A factory system according to claim 2 wherein the probe is an analogue probe.

5. A factory system according to claim 2 wherein the factory machine is a machine tool, and the data processing means of the communications adaptor is programmed to use the probe to measure the workpiece and then to cause the machine tool to machine the workpiece in dependence on the measurement.

6. A factory system according to claim 2 wherein the data processing means of the communications adaptor is programmed to use the probe to measure the workpiece and then to transmit the results of the measurement onto the network.

7. A factory system according to claim 2 wherein a further said input/output means is connected to received an input from means for indicating the position of the probe.

8. A factory system according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means comprises means for indicating the position of one part of the machine relative to another.

9. A factory system according to claim 1 wherein the sensing means is a temperature sensor.

10. A factory system according to claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises means for detecting the presence or absence of a workpiece or of material thereof.

11. A factory system according to claim 1 wherein the sensing means comprises means for manual input of data for controlling said machine.

12. A factory system according to claim 1, wherein said means for performing an operation comprises an input on the factory machine for controlling movement of the machine independently of data passed to the control means from the first said input/output means of the data processing means.

13. A factory system according to claim 12 wherein the sensing means comprises means for manual input of data for controlling said machine.

14. A factory system according to claim 12, wherein the sensing means is a probe on the machine for measuring a workpiece placed thereon, the data processing means being programmed to measure a workpiece by controlling machine movement via said input on the machine, and by receiving the probe output.

15. A factory system according to claim 1, wherein said means for performing an operation comprises a peripheral device associated with the machine.

16. A factory system according to claim 15, wherein the peripheral device is a conveyor.

18. A method of operating a factory system according to claim 1, in which a program is run in said data processing means to control said means for performing an operation in accordance with the output of the sensing means.

17. A factory communications adaptor for interfacing (a) a factory machine having control means for controlling the operation of the machine, said control means accepting or transmitting data in a first data format, with (b) a communications network adapted for connecting a central computer to said factory machine and to at least one other factory machine, said communication network transmitting data in a second data format, said communications adaptor comprising:

data processing means having a plurality of means for input and/or output, first and second said input/output means being connectable to said control means and said network respectively, the data processing means being operative to pass data between the first and second input/output means, and translating it between the first and second data formats;

a third said input/output means connectable to a sensing means associated with said machine, said third input/output means being operative to produce an output relating to the state or operation of the machine; and

a fourth said input/output means connectable to means associated with said machine for performing an operation related thereto said data processing means being programmable to control said means for performing an operation in accordance with the output of the sensing means.