Data interface device for updating control program, updating system, manufacturing system, method for updating control program, and method for controlling numerical control machine tool

Abstract

The invention provides a data interface device 100 for updating a control program of a control device 200a, 200b of a numerical control machine tool, comprising: a first interface module 10 configured to perform data transmission with a control program database 300; and a second interface module 20 configured to perform data transmission with the one or more control devices 200a, 200b. The data interface device 100 is configured to receive an update data record from the control program database 300 via the first interface module 10 and to send a configuration data record to the control devices 200a, 200b via the second interface module 20, the configuration data record causes the control device to update a control program stored in a storage unit of the control device 200a, 200b based on the transmitted configuration data record. The data interface device 100 is configured to update control programs of at least two different control devices 200a, 200b and comprises for this purpose a processing module configured to generate at least a first configuration data record and a second configuration data record based on received update data records, the first configuration data record can be read by a first control device 200a of the at least two control devices 200a, 200b, and the second configuration data record can be read by a second control device 200b of the at least two control devices 200a, 200b.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a data interface device for updating a control program, an updating system, a manufacturing system, a method for updating a control program and a method for controlling a numerically controlled machine tool. Background Art

[0002] In the field of automated manufacturing, numerically controlled machine tools (NC or CNC machine tools) are often used, whose components are controlled by one or more control devices of the machine tool in order to perform their respective functions during the machining of the workpiece.

[0003] In this way, during the workpiece processing, human-machine interaction with the machine tool has been reduced to a minimum.

[0004] Machine tool manufacturers furthermore continuously develop the control programs on which the control is based in order to eliminate program errors or to improve the control itself, for example, thereby making the control more precise, more accurate, faster or more energy-efficient.

[0005] The loading of new or revised control programs, i.e. the updating, is usually still carried out by the manufacturer's service technicians personally visiting the customer, which is not only impractical but also time-consuming and costly. Manual updating of the control program by the customer himself is ruled out here, as the complexity of the machine tool's control requires individual configuration of the updating process.

[0006] In order to improve the program, in particular to be able to dispense with the use of on-site service technicians, online updating solutions are known in the prior art, in which information about new control programs is obtained online from the machine tool manufacturer's database and then loaded onto the machine tool or the machine tool's control device via the network.

[0007] For this purpose, EP 2 407 841 A2 discloses a method for updating a plurality of machine tools, in which a software package is transmitted from a central server of the machine tool manufacturer.

[0008] However, such update systems quickly reach their limits in situations where the machine tools are configured differently and on a customer-specific basis and in such cases still require the intervention of a service technician who still has to manually set certain configurations and parameters of the update process for the different machines. Summary of the invention

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a more efficient option by means of which the control of a machine tool can always be kept up-to-date, in particular in order to achieve in this way an improvement in the machining quality of the workpieces.

[0010] To achieve this object, a data interface device for updating a control program according to claim 1, an updating system according to claim 12, and a method for updating a control program according to claim 14, as well as a manufacturing system according to claim 13 and a method for controlling a machine tool according to claim 15 are provided.

[0011] The other dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the method or the machine tool, which preferred features can be provided individually or in combination.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a data interface device for updating a control program of a control device of a numerically controlled machine tool is provided, which includes a first interface module configured for data transmission with a control program database and a second interface module configured for data transmission with one or more control devices. The data interface device is configured to receive an update data record from the control program database through the first interface module, and transmit the configuration data record to the control device through the second interface module, wherein the configuration data record enables the control device to update the control program stored in the storage unit of the control device based on the transmitted configuration data record. The data interface device is configured to update the control program of at least two different control devices, and for this purpose includes a processing module, which is configured to generate at least a first configuration data record and a second configuration data record based on the received update data record, wherein the first configuration data record can be read by a first control device of the at least two control devices, and the second configuration data record can be read by a second control device of the at least two control devices.

[0013] In this way, a data interface device is created which, independently of the hardware-based or software-based embodiment of the individual control devices, can update the control programs there on the basis of a universal update data record.

[0014] A control device is understood here to mean the control device of an individual machine tool or the control device of individual components (structures or functional groups) of a single machine tool or of different machine tools. A structure or functional group can be, in particular, a drive for a machine axis (linear, circular or pivot), a work spindle or an auxiliary system, such as a cooling lubricant supply or a process monitoring system.

[0015] The data interface device is suitable for updating different control devices, which means that a configuration data record of a first control device cannot usually be read or executed by a second control device and vice versa.

[0016] “Different” is to be understood here to mean that the control devices are not structurally identical, but are implemented in a different way and, in some cases, also perform completely different functions in the machine tool.

[0017] An update data record is understood to be a collection of electronically stored and transmitted data, which contains information relating to a new control program, for example information relating to new settings, control algorithms or the like.

[0018] The configuration data record of each control device is understood to be a collection of electronically stored and transmitted data which can generally only be read and executed by the type of control device for which the configuration data record was generated. Configuration data records of different control devices can therefore differ in their data format, the installation instructions contained and the installation sequence, the programming language, etc.

[0019] Each control device, whether it is provided as a central control device that controls the entire machine tool, or as a subassembly control device that controls only individual structures or functional groups of the machine tool, is generally implemented differently depending on the manufacturer.

[0020] By way of example and not exhaustive, these control devices may differ in the programming language used, the implementation of the control program or the type of communication interface used to control the various structural and functional groups.

[0021] Until now, it has not been possible to provide a universal update data record on the basis of which the control programs of different control devices can be updated. Until now, the components to be updated and the associated update data record had to be selected manually according to the individual devices of the machine tool. Thanks to the provision of a data interface device, this is no longer necessary.

[0022] As a result, update operations can be carried out on a wide range of different control devices fully automatically without the presence of a technician, which significantly reduces machine downtime and the associated costs and additionally ensures that the latest control program is always present on the control device.

[0023] The processing module of the data interface device may be provided as a part of the first and / or second interface module, or may be provided separately.

[0024] The interface module and the data processing module are preferably implemented as processor-based data processing devices, which themselves may have a plurality of electronic interfaces for data transmission and an internal memory, for example a main memory.

[0025] The data interface device is preferably configured to communicate with N further different control devices via the second interface module, wherein N ≥ 1. In this case, the data interface device is configured to update the control programs of the first control device and the second control device and the N further control devices, wherein the processing module is configured to generate a first and a second configuration data record readable by the respective control device and the N further configuration data records based on the received update data record, and to transmit the respective configuration data record to the associated control device via the second interface module.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the second interface module is configured to receive from the first and / or second control device an inventory data record containing information relating to the control programs installed on the respective control device and in particular store said inventory data record in a storage module of the data interface device.

[0027] Thus, the data interface device can advantageously be used as a collection point, wherein all information relating to the control programs currently installed on the first and second control devices is collected.

[0028] The inventory data record associated with one of the two control devices contains information about, for example, the current version number of the control program or of individual program modules of the control program, the date of the last update or a list of currently installed program modules. In this case, the control program can include a plurality of program modules providing different functionalities. In this case, the program modules can be added to or deleted from the control program as required, thereby expanding the functionality of the machine tool in terms of software.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the processing module is configured to additionally generate the first and / or second configuration data record based on the received inventory data record of the associated control device.

[0030] The configuration data record is thus generated based on the control program already installed on the control device, so that unnecessary updates are avoided and, for example, only those program modules are updated whose new, improved or revised versions are actually valid in the control program database.

[0031] Likewise, it is also possible not to create a configuration data record if the control program of one of the control units is already up-to-date.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the first interface module is configured to select update data records to be received from the control program database based on the received inventory data records.

[0033] Thus, the update data record most suitable for the update can be downloaded, so that duplications can be avoided, which in turn increases the transmission speed and reduces the memory utilization of the data interface device.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the control program database is provided on a separate server, and the first interface module is configured to communicate with the control program database via an Internet or intranet connection.

[0035] Thus, the control program database can, for example, be provided externally and, independently of its location, provide corresponding updated data records to a plurality of data interface devices.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the data interface device is partially or fully cloud-based, in particular the processing module is cloud-based.

[0037] Thus, the data interface device itself can be provided decentralized so that processing power intensive operations, such as the generation of configuration data records, can be performed in the cloud, which generally offers higher processing power than local data processing devices.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, at least two control devices are part of the same numerically controlled machine tool and are configured to control different components of the machine tool.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the first control device is part of a first numerically controlled machine tool and the second control device is part of a second numerically controlled machine tool.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the configuration data record generated by the processing module contains installation instructions executable by the corresponding control device.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the generated configuration data record additionally contains an electronic signature.

[0042] In this way, the authenticity of the configuration data records on the control device can be ensured so that they can be reliably distinguished from malware. Thus, for example, installation instructions contained in the configuration data record are only executed on the control device if the contained electronic signature corresponds to a predefined or fixed signature.

[0043] Preferably, the update data record further comprises an electronic signature, wherein, in particular, the electronic signature of the configuration data record generated by the processing module is created based on the electronic signature of the update data record.

[0044] It is further preferred that a configuration data record is only created if the electronic signature contained in the update data record corresponds to a predefined or fixed signature.

[0045] In this way, the risk of malware being introduced via the first interface module can also be prevented.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, the data interface device further comprises an input module for detecting user input, and in particular, an updating process of the control program of the control device can be initiated through the input module.

[0047] The operator can thus manually initiate the update process so that it is carried out, for example, at an optimal time when the machine does not need to perform or only needs to perform a small number of work orders.

[0048] The data interface device preferably comprises a time module which initiates an update process of the data interface device at regular time intervals. Thus, it is ensured that the control program is updated as quickly as possible when a newer or improved version is available.

[0049] According to a second aspect, an updating system for a machine tool is provided, comprising at least one data interface device according to the first aspect or according to one of its preferred embodiments and at least one control program database, which is coupled to the latter via a first interface module of the data interface device for data transmission.

[0050] In this way, an update system is provided which offers the advantages of the data interface device according to the invention so as to be implementable without problems in existing production systems.

[0051] The control program database is preferably located on a separate server and communicates with the data interface device via an Internet or intranet connection.

[0052] According to a third aspect, a manufacturing system is provided, which includes at least one update system according to the second aspect and at least one first control device and one second control device, wherein the first control device and the second control device are different and are both coupled to the latter via a second interface module of the data interface device of the update system for data transmission.

[0053] In this way, an entire manufacturing system can be provided with the advantageous functionality of the data interface device according to the invention, which manufacturing system is now not only provided for fully automatic workpiece processing, but also for fully automatic updating of control programs for this purpose.

[0054] The first and second control devices can be implemented as control devices of individual machine tools or as control devices of individual components (structures or functional groups) of a single machine tool or of different machine tools.

[0055] It can thus be ensured in particular that the respective control device always has current software or a current control program, which often allows a more precise or more energy-efficient or even faster control compared to a previous version and thus allows a more efficient workpiece processing.

[0056] The updating system preferably comprises a plurality of data interface devices according to the first aspect or according to one of the preferred embodiments thereof, all of which are coupled to the control program database.

[0057] The data interface devices may be used, for example, in different plants and in this case all data interface devices are provided with updated data records via the same control program database.

[0058] According to a fourth aspect, a method for updating a control program of a control device of a numerically controlled machine tool through a data interface device, in particular through a data interface device according to the first aspect or one of its preferred embodiments, is provided, the method comprising receiving an update data record from a control program database through a first interface module of the data interface device, selecting at least one control device to be updated from a set of at least two different control devices, generating a configuration data record for the selected control device, the configuration data record enabling the control device to update the control program stored in a storage unit of the selected control device based on the update data record received by a processing module of the data interface device, transmitting the generated configuration data record to the selected control device through a second interface module of the data interface device; and updating the control program on the selected control device based on the transmitted configuration data record.

[0059] The proposed method provides the possibility of updating the control programs of the control devices independently of their hardware- or software-based implementation in the individual control devices on the basis of a common update data record.

[0060] The other advantages associated therewith correspond substantially to those already described in the data interface device process and are therefore not repeated here. The same applies to the preferred embodiment of the method described below, which in essence represents the process technology realization of the advantageous embodiment of the data interface device already described.

[0061] The method preferably also includes receiving inventory data records from the first control device and / or receiving inventory data records from the second control device via the second interface module, wherein each inventory data record contains information related to the control program installed on the corresponding control device, and in particular storing the inventory data records in a storage module of the data interface device.

[0062] Preferably, the configuration data record is generated based on the received update data record and the received inventory data record of the associated selected control device.

[0063] Preferably, the method further comprises selecting update data records to be received from the control program database based on the inventory data records received via the first interface module.

[0064] Preferably, the method further comprises electronically signing the generated configuration data record.

[0065] According to a fifth aspect, a method for controlling a numerically controlled machine tool is provided, comprising updating a control program of a control device of the numerically controlled machine tool using a method according to the fourth aspect or one of its preferred embodiments, and controlling the machine tool through the control device based on the updated control program.

[0066] In this way, workpiece machining can be provided, during which the machine tool is controlled accordingly, which is always based on a current control program, which often allows a more precise or more energy-efficient or even faster control compared to a previous version, thereby allowing more efficient workpiece machining.

[0067] Controlling the machine tool is to be understood here as controlling one or more actuators or components of the machine tool, for example a linear, circular or swivel axis, a drive of a work spindle or auxiliary systems which are controlled on the basis of a control program.

[0068] Further aspects of the disclosure and advantages thereof as well as more specific exemplary embodiments of the above-mentioned aspects and embodiments are described below with the aid of the drawings shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0069] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a manufacturing system according to the invention is shown, the manufacturing system comprising an exemplary embodiment of an updating system, which in turn comprises an exemplary embodiment of a data interface device.

[0070] Figure 2 A schematic flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for updating a control program according to the present invention is shown.

[0071] Figure 3 A schematic flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for controlling a machine tool according to the invention is shown.

[0072] It should be emphasized that the present invention is by no means limited to the exemplary embodiments described below and their exemplary embodiment features. In addition, the present invention also includes modifications to the exemplary embodiments described above, in particular modifications resulting from modifications and / or combinations of single or multiple features of the exemplary embodiments described within the scope of protection of the independent claims.

[0073] Detailed description of the drawings

[0074] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a manufacturing system according to the invention is shown, the manufacturing system comprising an exemplary embodiment of an updating system 1000 , which in turn comprises an exemplary embodiment of a data interface device 100 .

[0075] The manufacturing system includes an updating system 1000 and first and second control devices 200a and 200b connected thereto.

[0076] The first and second control devices 200 , 200 b are different and can be implemented as control devices of individual machine tools or as control devices of individual components (structures or functional groups) of a single machine tool or of different machine tools.

[0077] In this example, the two control devices 200a and 200b are control devices for different components of the same machine tool.

[0078] The updating system 1000 includes a control program database 300 and a data interface device 100 .

[0079] The control program database 300 is cloud-based and provided on a separate server that can be accessed via an intranet or internet connection.

[0080] The data interface device 100 includes a first interface module 10 configured to perform data transmission with a control program database 300 and a second interface module 20, wherein the first interface module 10 is coupled to the first and second control devices 200a, 200b and is configured for data transmission. In addition, the data interface device 1000 includes a processing module 30, which is implemented as a separate component in the present exemplary embodiment, but can also be implemented as a part of the first or second interface module 10, 20.

[0081] The data interface device 100 is configured to receive update data records from the control program database 300 via the first interface module 10 .

[0082] The processing module 30 is then configured to generate at least a first configuration data record readable by the first control device 200 a and a second configuration data record readable by the second control device 200 b based on the received update data record.

[0083] In addition, the data interface device 100 is configured to transmit the generated configuration data record to the corresponding control device 200a, 200b through the second interface module 20, and the configuration data record enables the control device to update the control program stored in the storage unit of the corresponding control device 200a, 200b based on the respectively transmitted configuration data record.

[0084] In this way, data interface device 100 provides the possibility of updating the control programs therein independently of the hardware- or software-based individual implementation of the two control devices 200 a , 200 b based on common update data records from control program database 300 .

[0085] Until now it has not been possible to provide a universal update data record based on which the control programs of different control devices can be updated. Therefore, until now the components to be updated and the associated update data records had to be selected manually based on the individual devices of the machine tool. Due to the provision of the data interface device 100, this is no longer necessary.

[0086] The data interface device 100 further comprises an input module 40 for detecting user input. Thus, an operator can manually initiate an update process of one or more control devices 200a, 200b on the data interface device 100, for example, if the associated machine tool is not currently required.

[0087] Figure 2 A schematic flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention is shown for updating a control program on a first and / or second control device of a numerically controlled machine tool by means of a data interface device. Here, the first control device and the second control device are different.

[0088] In step S1 , inventory data records are received from the first control device and from the second control device via the second interface module, each inventory data record containing information relating to a control program installed on the respective control device.

[0089] In step S2 , the first interface module of the data interface device receives an update data record from the control program database.

[0090] In step S3 , at least one control device to be updated is selected from a set of at least two different control devices.

[0091] In step S4, the inventory data record received from step S1 is compared with the update data record received from step S2 for the control device selected in step S3.

[0092] If the comparison result of step S4 is positive and there is no need to perform an update of the control program for the selected control device, step S8 is performed. However, if the comparison result is negative, step S5 is performed.

[0093] In step S5, a configuration data record is generated for the control device selected in step S3, and the configuration data record enables the control device to update the control program stored in the memory unit of the selected control device through the processing module of the data interface device based on the update data record received from step S2 and the inventory data record received from the control device selected in step S1.

[0094] In step S6 , the configuration data record generated in step S5 is transmitted to the control device selected in step S3 via a second interface module of the data interface device.

[0095] In step S7 , the control program is updated on the selected control device based on the configuration data record transmitted to the control device in step S4 .

[0096] In step S8 there is a pause of a predetermined duration before the method starts again from step S1 .

[0097] The method enables fully automated updating of control programs on a plurality of different control devices.

[0098] In an alternative embodiment, all control devices coupled to the data interface device are selected in step S3 and subsequent steps S4 to S7 are performed for each control device in parallel or sequential order.

[0099] Figure 3 A schematic flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for controlling a numerically controlled machine tool according to the present invention is shown, including pre-updating a control program of a control device of the machine tool.

[0100] Steps S1 to S7 correspond to Figure 2 The steps of the updating method in step S3 are used, during which the control program is updated on the control device selected in step S3.

[0101] After the updating method, in step S8 * the machine tool is controlled by the selected control device based on the control program updated in step S7 , wherein the control device selected in step S3 is part of the machine tool.

[0102] The control here comprises at least one sub-step S8.1*, in which components of the machine tool are actuated based on output values ​​of the updated control program of the control device selected in step S3, in particular in order to carry out a machining step of machining a workpiece by the machine tool in this way.

[0103] In this way, workpiece machining can be provided, during which the machine tool is controlled accordingly, which is always carried out based on a current control program, which often allows a more precise or more energy-efficient or even faster control compared to previous versions, thereby allowing more efficient workpiece machining.

[0104] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their advantages have been described above in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0105] It is emphasized again that the present invention is in no way limited to the exemplary embodiments described above and their exemplary features. In addition, the present invention also includes modifications to the exemplary embodiments described, in particular modifications resulting from modifications and / or combinations of single or multiple features of the exemplary embodiments described within the scope of protection of the independent claims.

[0106] Reference Mark List

[0107] 10 First interface module

[0108] 20 Second interface module

[0109] 40 processing modules

[0110] 40 Input Modules

[0111] 100 Data interface device

[0112] 200a First control device

[0113] 200b Second control device

[0114] 300 Control Program Database

[0115] 1000 Update system

Claims

1. A data interface device (100) for updating a control program of a control device (200a, 200b) of a numerically controlled machine tool, comprising: A first interface module (10), the first interface module being configured to perform data transmission with a control program database (300); as well as A second interface module (20), the second interface module being configured to perform data transmission with one or more control devices (200a, 200b); wherein the data interface device (100) is configured to receive an update data record from the control program database (300) via the first interface module (10), and transmit the configuration data record to the control device (200a, 200b) via the second interface module (20), the configuration data record causing the control device to update the control program stored in the storage unit of the control device (200a, 200b) based on the transmitted configuration data record; It is characterized in that The data interface device (100) is configured to update control programs of at least two different control devices (200a, 200b) and comprises for this purpose a processing module (30), the processing module (30) being configured to generate at least a first configuration data record and a second configuration data record based on a received update data record, the first configuration data record being readable by a first control device (200a) of the at least two control devices (200a, 200b) and the second configuration data record being readable by a second control device (200b) of the at least two control devices (200a, 200b).

2. The data interface device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second interface module (20) is configured to receive an inventory data record from the first control device and / or the second control device (200a, 200b), the inventory data record containing information related to the control program installed on the corresponding control device, and in particular to store the inventory data record in a storage module of the data interface device (100).

3. The data interface device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The processing module (30) is configured to additionally generate the first configuration data record and / or the second configuration data record based on an inventory data record received by an associated control device (200a, 200b).

4. The data interface device (100) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that: The first interface module (10) is configured to select the update data record to be received from the control program database (300) based on the received inventory data record.

5. The data interface device (100) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The control program database (300) is provided on a separate server, and the first interface module (10) is configured to communicate with the control program database via an Internet or intranet connection.

6. The data interface device (100) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The data interface device (100) is partially or entirely cloud-based.

7. The data interface device (100) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The at least two control devices (200a, 200b) are components of the same numerically controlled machine tool and are configured to control different components of the machine tool.

8. The data interface device (100) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The first control device is part of a first numerically controlled machine tool, and the second control device is part of a second numerically controlled machine tool.

9. The data interface device (100) according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The configuration data record generated by the processing module (30) contains installation instructions executable by the corresponding control device (200a, 200b).

10. The data interface device (100) according to at least claim 9, characterized in that The generated configuration data record additionally contains an electronic signature.

11. The data interface device (100) according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The data interface device (100) further comprises an input module (40) for detecting user input, in particular an update process of a control program for the control device can be initiated via the input module.

12. An updating system for a machine tool, comprising: At least one data interface device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11; At least one control program database (300) is coupled to the data interface device (100) via the first interface module (10) thereof for data transmission.

13. A manufacturing system comprising: At least one updating system according to claim 12; At least one first control device and one second control device (200a, 200b), the at least one first control device and one second control device (200a, 200b) are coupled to the data interface device (100) of the update system via a second interface module (20) thereof for data transmission.

14. A method for updating a control program of a control device (200a, 200b) of a numerically controlled machine tool through a data interface device (100), comprising the following steps: receiving an update data record from a control program database via a first interface module (10) of the data interface device (100); Selecting at least one control device (200a; 200b) to be updated from a set of at least two different control devices (200a, 200b); generating a configuration data record for a selected control device (200a; 200b) based on an update data record received by a processing module (30) of the data interface device (100), the configuration data record causing the control device to update a control program stored in a storage unit of the selected control device (200a; 200b); transmitting the generated configuration data record to the selected control device (200a; 200b) via a second interface module (20) of the data interface device (100); and A control program on the selected control device (200a; 200b) is updated based on the transmitted configuration data record.

15. A method for controlling a numerically controlled machine tool, comprising the following steps: Updating a control program of a control device (200a, 200b) of the numerically controlled machine tool using the method according to claim 14; The numerically controlled machine tool is controlled by the control device (200a, 200b) based on the updated control program.

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