Software architecture, software control method for numerical control system and application

Abstract

The application discloses a software architecture, a software control method and application for a numerical control system, and belongs to the field of numerical control system software development. The software architecture comprises a user layer, a kernel layer and a real-time layer. The user layer comprises a numerical control system and a PLC interface unit. The PLC interface unit is responsive to a remote external device to generate an operation signal. The kernel layer comprises a PLC kernel. The PLC kernel is in communication connection with the PLC interface unit. The PLC kernel is used to generate an operation instruction based on the operation signal. The real-time layer comprises a memory unit. The memory unit is in communication connection with the numerical control system and the PLC kernel. The memory unit is used to store the operation instruction and state information of the numerical control system. The PLC kernel acquires the state information of the numerical control system by accessing the memory unit. The numerical control system acquires the operation instruction by accessing the memory unit. The application configures a PLC interface unit in a soft PLC to respond to a remote external device, and sets a memory unit in the real-time layer, so that the remote external device can safely and in real time remotely control the numerical control system.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of numerical control machine tools, and particularly relates to a software architecture for a numerical control system, a software control method and application. BACKGROUND

[0002] Hardware PLCs are widely used in electronic devices in the field of industrial automation, especially in the field of numerical control machine tools, to perform logic control, auxiliary function management and IO signal transmission processing, such as tool changing, sensor response, etc.

[0003] With the development of integration of numerical control machine tools, data transmission is no longer limited to within the machine tool, but between the main console and multiple machine tools, so the numerical control system should support multiple application modes of different machine tool manufacturers. In the face of multiple communication protocols, such as TCP / IP protocol, serial port protocol, IIC protocol, SPI protocol, etc., if the numerical control system directly designs a remote interface externally, it will have an impact on data security and system stability.

[0004] Therefore, in view of the above technical problems, it is necessary to provide a software architecture for a numerical control system, a software control method and application. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application aims to provide a software architecture for a numerical control system, a software control method and application, which can configure a PLC interface unit in a soft PLC to respond to remote external devices, and set a memory unit in a real-time layer to ensure that remote external devices can safely and in real time remotely control the numerical control system.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution provided by an embodiment of the present application is as follows:

[0007] A software architecture for a numerical control system, comprising:

[0008] a user layer, comprising a numerical control system and a PLC interface unit, the PLC interface unit responding to remote external devices to generate operation signals;

[0009] a kernel layer, comprising a PLC kernel, the PLC kernel being in communication connection with the PLC interface unit, the PLC kernel being used to generate operation instructions based on the operation signals;

[0010] a real-time layer, comprising a memory unit, the memory unit being in communication connection with the numerical control system and the PLC kernel, the memory unit being used to store the operation instructions and state information of the numerical control system, the PLC kernel accessing the memory unit to obtain the state information of the numerical control system, and the numerical control system accessing the memory unit to obtain operation instructions.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of the present application, the PLC interface unit encapsulates a remote control interface, the remote control interface includes a variable control module, the variable control module is configured to provide at least one variable, the variable control module is responsive to a remote external device to configure the variable, and generates an operation signal based on the configured variable.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present application, the variable includes an input signal variable, each bit field of the input signal variable represents an input signal point respectively; and / or,

[0013] The variable includes an output signal variable, each bit field of the output signal variable represents an output signal point respectively; and / or,

[0014] The variable includes a parsing variable, the parsing variable is configured to store a variable in a machining program of a numerical control system; and / or,

[0015] The variable includes a custom variable, the custom variable is configured to store a basic function instruction or a custom instruction of a numerical control machine tool.

[0016] In one or more embodiments of the present application, the variable further includes an intermediate variable, the intermediate variable is configured to store an intermediate result generated when the PLC kernel performs a logical operation.

[0017] In one or more embodiments of the present application, the PLC interface unit encapsulates a local call interface, the PLC kernel is in communication connection with the local call interface.

[0018] In one or more embodiments of the present application, the software architecture includes a soft PLC, the soft PLC includes the PLC processing module and the PLC kernel.

[0019] In one or more embodiments of the present application, the real-time layer further includes an I / O unit, the I / O unit is responsive to a local hardware device.

[0020] Another specific embodiment of the present application further provides a software control method for a numerical control system, comprising:

[0021] configuring a user layer, a kernel layer and a real-time layer, wherein the user layer includes a numerical control system and a PLC interface unit, the kernel layer includes a PLC kernel, the PLC kernel is in communication connection with the PLC interface unit, and the real-time layer includes a memory unit, the memory unit is in communication connection with the numerical control system and the PLC kernel;

[0022] generating an operation signal by the PLC interface unit in response to a remote external device;

[0023] generating operation instructions based on the operation signals by the PLC core;

[0024] storing the operation instructions and state information of the numerical control system by the memory unit;

[0025] acquiring operation instructions by the numerical control system by accessing the memory unit, and acquiring state information of the numerical control system by the PLC core by accessing the memory unit.

[0026] Another specific embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device, which comprises at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform the software control method of the numerical control system.

[0027] Another specific embodiment of the present application also provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, and the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the software control method of the numerical control system.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the software architecture for the numerical control system, the software control method and the application have the following advantages: by setting the PLC interface unit in the user layer, the remote control of the numerical control system by remote external devices is met;

[0029] By setting the memory unit in the real-time layer, the communication between the PLC core and the numerical control system is realized by accessing the memory unit, the time overhead of virtual memory to physical memory mapping is avoided, and the real-time performance of the entire software architecture is ensured;

[0030] The present application supports convenient protocol expansion, and machine tool system manufacturers can build integrated machine tool control workshops through free matching, and the remote PLC control mode can achieve fine and comprehensive control of machine tools. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or prior art description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can also be obtained without creative labor based on these drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 a schematic diagram of the software architecture for the numerical control system in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 2 a flowchart of the software control method for the numerical control system in another embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 3 is a structure block diagram of an electronic device in another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In order to make the technical personnel in the technical field better understand the technical solutions in the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, not all. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor should belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0036] Unless otherwise clearly indicated, in the entire specification and claims, the term "comprise" or its variants such as "contain" or "include" and the like shall be understood to include the stated element or component, but not exclude other elements or components.

[0037] In the specification, "coupling" or "connection" or "connection" includes both direct connection and indirect connection. Indirect connection is the connection through an intermediate medium, such as the connection through an electrically conductive medium, which can have parasitic inductance or parasitic capacitance; indirect connection can also include the connection through other active devices or passive devices on the basis of achieving the same or similar functional purposes, such as the connection through circuits or components such as switches, follower circuits, etc. In addition, in the present application, words such as "first", "second" and the like are mainly used to distinguish one technical feature from another technical feature, and do not necessarily require or imply a certain actual relationship, quantity or order between the technical features.

[0038] In order to facilitate the understanding of the technical solutions of the present application, the technical terms that may appear in the present application will be explained in detail below.

[0039] A numerical control system, also known as computer numerical control (CNC), directly affects the stability and precision level of the machine tool, and is the most core part. The numerical control system is a control system that can control the machine tool to complete the work movement according to the numerical information of the part processing program. The numerical control system performs interpolation operation according to the part processing program to issue control instructions, amplifies the control instructions, and drives the machine according to the requirements by the servo motor. The position measurement system detects the movement position or speed of the machine and feeds back to the numerical control system to correct the control instructions.

[0040] With the development of CNC controller, the hardware computing power is constantly improved, the anti-interference ability of field communication protocol is constantly enhanced, and the real-time system is developed, the soft PLC can not lose to the hard PLC in performance in actual application, and the hard PLC has poor expansibility, and the soft PLC is used for realizing the multi-element integrated numerical control machine tool system.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1 The application discloses a kind of software architecture for numerical control system 11, including user layer 10, kernel layer 20 and real-time layer 30.

[0042] Specifically, user layer 10 includes numerical control system 11 and PLC interface unit 12, and PLC interface unit 12 responds to remote external device 40 to generate operating signal.

[0043] Kernel layer 20 includes PLC kernel 21, and PLC kernel 21 is in communication connection with PLC interface unit 12, and PLC kernel 21 is used to generate operating instruction based on operating signal.

[0044] Real-time layer 30 includes memory unit 31, and memory unit 31 is in communication connection with numerical control system 11 and PLC kernel 21, and memory unit 31 is used to store operating instruction and the state information of numerical control system 11, and PLC kernel 21 obtains the state information of numerical control system 11 by accessing memory unit 31, and numerical control system 11 obtains operating instruction by accessing memory unit 31.

[0045] It can be understood that numerical control system is connected with numerical control machine through parallel interface, serial interface, fieldbus, industrial ethernet and the like.

[0046] The application divides soft PLC into PLC kernel 21 and PLC interface unit 12 in structure (PLC interface unit 12 can also be understood as PLC user layer).It can be understood that the software architecture proposed in the application can run in real-time operating system, such as Linux, various proprietary real-time operating systems (RTOS) and the like.The application supports the running of soft PLC based on real-time layer 30, and ensures that the running performance of soft PLC does not lose to the performance of hard PLC.

[0047] Specifically, since the numerical control system 11 runs on the user layer 10, and the PLC kernel 21 is isolated from the user layer 10, in order to let the PLC kernel 21 directly control the numerical control system 11 to run to improve efficiency, a memory unit 31 is opened in the real-time layer 30. The memory unit 31 is not managed by the memory management unit of the operating system, but is managed and released by the real-time layer 30, avoiding the time overhead of virtual memory to physical memory mapping, and ensuring the real-time performance of the entire system. The memory unit 31 does not belong to any process, but any process can capture it through the interface of the real-time layer 30, realizing the real-time communication of the PLC kernel 21 and the numerical control system 11.

[0048] For both security and performance considerations, the application sets a PLC interface unit 12 in the user layer 10 to serve remote control operations, and the remote external device 40 is in communication connection with the PLC interface unit 12, so that the software architecture is adapted to remote controls of various protocols. In the application, the soft PLC is used as an intermediate layer between the remote external device 40 (such as a remote computer) and the numerical control machine tool, greatly increasing the control ability of the remote computer on the numerical control machine tool, and the numerical control machine tool is controlled through the soft PLC, which is easier for the operator to get started.

[0049] Further, the PLC interface unit 12 in a specific embodiment encapsulates a remote control interface 121, which includes a variable control module for providing at least one variable, the variable control module being responsive to the remote external device 40 to configure the variable, and generating an operation signal based on the configured variable. Therefore, only the remote control interface 121 for obtaining and setting variables needs to be opened to the remote external device 40, which can adapt to remote controls of various protocols.

[0050] The remote control interface 121 in a specific embodiment supports communication protocols such as TCP / IP protocol, serial port protocol, IIC protocol, SPI protocol, etc.

[0051] It should be noted that the variable in the embodiment occupies a certain number of binary bits (such as 32-bit variable with 32 bits). Bit field refers to each binary bit (bit 0, bit 1, …, bit N) of the variable.

[0052] In a specific embodiment, the variable includes an input signal variable, and each bit field of the input signal variable represents an input signal point. The external device can access the corresponding input signal variable, the variable control module is responsive to the remote external device 40 to configure the variable, and generates an operation signal based on the configured variable (the configured variable is the operation signal), and generates a corresponding operation instruction after being processed by the PLC kernel 21, and the numerical control system 11 controls the operation of the entire numerical control machine tool based on the corresponding operation instruction.

[0053] In an embodiment, the variables include output signal variables, each bit field of the output signal variables representing an output signal point.

[0054] It can be understood that when facing a relatively complex numerical control machine tool, more complex instruction information needs to be transmitted, and the input signal variables and the output signal variables can not meet the requirements.

[0055] In this case, in an embodiment, the variables include analysis variables, which are used to store variables in the machining program of the numerical control system 11. For example, by configuring the analysis variable R34474, the maximum speed allowed for feeding can be set, by configuring the analysis variable R8006, the current tool number on the spindle can be obtained, and by configuring the analysis variable R74140, the synchronous shaft can be set, and the like.

[0056] In an embodiment, the variables include custom variables, which are used to store basic function instructions or custom instructions of the numerical control machine tool. There are some basic states in the numerical control machine tool, such as start, pause, module switching, mode selection, and the like. By assigning values to the custom variables, the state of the machine tool can be conveniently and quickly controlled. Further, the custom variables also reserve a part of the variables for the machine tool factory to customize.

[0057] In an embodiment, the variables also include intermediate variables, which are used to store intermediate results generated when the PLC kernel 21 performs logical operations. For example, when the PLC kernel 21 performs a logical operation, a result of 2 is generated, at this time, the operation result 2 is only an operation intermediate result, the operation result 2 is stored in the intermediate variable Q1, and then Q1 is used for a second logical operation, for example, when Q1 is greater than 0, an output signal variable y1.1 is output as 1. If the point of the output signal variable y1.1 is connected to a lamp, the lamp is on at this time, and vice versa.

[0058] Further, the PLC interface unit 12 encapsulates a local call interface 122, the PLC kernel 21 is in communication connection with the local call interface 122, and the local call interface 122 is in communication connection with the local device.

[0059] Further, the PLC kernel 21 also includes a PLC kernel interface, which is in communication connection with the local call interface 122 and the remote control interface 121.

[0060] It is understood that the present invention isolates the PLC interface unit 12 and the PLC core 21 by setting them in the user layer 10 and the kernel layer 20 respectively. The PLC interface unit 12 cannot operate the PLC core 21 at will, and can only transmit operation signals through the interface provided by the PLC core 21. That is, the PLC interface unit 12 can only operate in the manner allowed by the kernel layer 20, so as to avoid the remote external device 40 from threatening the safe operation of the user layer 10.

[0061] Compared to other remote control methods, such as directly embedding modules for remote control in CNC systems, this invention communicates with remote external devices 40 through the remote control interface 121, which is safer, simpler to operate, and more scalable.

[0062] In one specific embodiment, the real-time layer 30 further includes an I / O unit that responds to a local hardware device. It is understood that the local hardware device includes hardware interfaces, such as PC interfaces, fieldbus interfaces, or gateway interfaces. The local hardware device constitutes the hardware layer of the real-time operating system.

[0063] The PLC kernel interacts with the real-time operating system through I / O units. The PLC kernel manages the PLC's logic operations and I / O inputs and outputs, ensuring the real-time performance of the runtime cycle. For example, if the PLC's scan cycle is specified as 10 milliseconds, a real-time task is created through the hardware interface call of the real-time operating system, guaranteeing that one PLC cycle is completed within 10ms.

[0064] like Figure 2 As shown, the present invention also discloses a software control method for a numerical control system, based on, as Figure 1 The software architecture shown includes a user layer 10, a kernel layer 20, and a real-time layer 30. The user layer 10 includes a CNC system 11 and a PLC interface unit 12. The kernel layer 20 includes a PLC kernel 21, which is communicatively connected to the PLC interface unit 12. The real-time layer 30 includes a memory unit 31, which is communicatively connected to the CNC system 11 and the PLC kernel 21.

[0065] The software control methods specifically include:

[0066] S1. The PLC interface unit 12 responds to the remote external device 40 to generate an operation signal;

[0067] S2. The PLC core 21 generates operation instructions based on the operation signals;

[0068] S3. Store operation instructions and status information of the CNC system 11 through memory unit 31;

[0069] S4, the operation instruction is acquired by the numerical control system 11 by accessing the memory unit 31, and the state information of the numerical control system 11 is acquired by the PLC kernel 21 by accessing the memory unit 31.

[0070] Further, the operation signal is generated by the PLC interface unit 12 in response to the remote external device 40, including: the remote control interface 121 includes a variable control module, the variable control module is used to provide at least one variable, the variable control module is configured in response to the remote external device 40 to configure the variable, and the operation signal is generated based on the configured variable.

[0071] From the above technical solutions, the present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0072] By setting the PLC interface unit in the user layer, the remote control of the numerical control system by the remote external device is met;

[0073] By setting the memory unit in the real-time layer, the PLC kernel and the numerical control system realize communication by accessing the memory unit, so that the time overhead of virtual memory to physical memory mapping is avoided, and the real-time performance of the whole system is ensured;

[0074] The present application supports convenient protocol expansion, and machine tool system manufacturers can build integrated machine tool control workshops through free selection, and the remote PLC control mode can achieve fine and comprehensive control of the machine tool.

[0075] Please refer to Figure 3 The electronic device 400 includes at least one processor 401, a memory 402 (for example, a nonvolatile memory), a memory 403, and a communication interface 404, and the at least one processor 401, the memory 402, the memory 403, and the communication interface 404 are connected together via a bus 405. The at least one processor 401 is configured to invoke at least one program instruction stored or encoded in the memory 402, so that the at least one processor 401 performs various operations and functions of the software control method for the numerical control system described in various embodiments of the present specification.

[0076] In the embodiments of the present specification, the electronic device 400 can include but is not limited to: a personal computer, a server computer, a workstation, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a mobile electronic device, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device, a messaging device, a wearable electronic device, a consumer electronic device, and the like.

[0077] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable medium, which carries computer execution instructions, and the computer execution instructions are used for realizing various operations and functions of the rotor initial phase detection method described in various embodiments of the present application when executed by a processor.

[0078] The computer readable medium in the present application can be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium or any combination of the two. The computer readable storage medium may, for example, but is not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device or apparatus, or any combination of the above. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium can include, but are not limited to, an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the above. In the present application, the computer readable storage medium can be any tangible medium containing or storing a program that can be used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, device or apparatus.

[0079] In the present application, the computer readable signal medium can include a data signal propagating in a baseband or as part of a carrier wave propagating in a baseband, in which computer readable program code is carried. Such a propagating data signal can take many forms, including but not limited to electro-magnetic, optical or any suitable combination thereof. The computer readable signal medium can also be any computer readable medium that can send, propagate or transfer a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, device or apparatus, other than the computer readable storage medium. The program code contained on the computer readable medium can be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to wireless, wire line, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the above.

[0080] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, a system or a computer program product. Therefore, the present application can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer usable storage media (including but not limited to a magnetic disk memory, a CD-ROM, an optical memory, etc.) containing computer usable program code.

[0081] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other processing device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other processing device to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks or in conjunction with the flowcharts and / or block diagram. Figure 1 The flowchart and / or block diagram in the drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatuses and methods according to the present application. In this regard, each block in the flowchart and / or block diagram can represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that each block of the flowchart and / or block diagram, and / or combinations thereof, can be implemented by computer program instructions. Such Figure 1 The apparatus can be specially constructed for performing the various processes, or it can comprise a general purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by

[0082] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present application is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and that the present application can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the present application. Thus, the embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the application being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the above description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. No limitation is intended to the scope of the claims with regard to features shown in the drawings, or described in connection with one claim but not all of the claims.

[0083] Furthermore, it should be understood that although the description sets forth embodiments of the application, the application can be practiced in other embodiments as well. The description sets forth the teachings of the application in connection with specific embodiments but is provided to enable those with ordinary skill in the art to make and use the application in practice. Accordingly, the description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the application as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A software architecture for a numerical control system, characterized by, The software architecture comprises a user layer, a kernel layer and a real-time layer. The user layer comprises a numerical control system and a PLC interface unit, the PLC interface unit is responsive to remote external devices to generate operation signals, the PLC interface unit encapsulates a remote control interface, the remote control interface comprises a variable control module, the variable control module is used to provide at least one variable, the variable control module is responsive to remote external devices to configure the variable, and operation signals are generated based on the configured variable; The kernel layer comprises a PLC kernel, the PLC kernel is communicatively connected with the PLC interface unit, and the PLC kernel is used to generate operation instructions based on the operation signals; The real-time layer comprises a memory unit, the memory unit is communicatively connected with the numerical control system and the PLC kernel, the memory unit is used to store the operation instructions and state information of the numerical control system, the PLC kernel acquires the state information of the numerical control system by accessing the memory unit, and the numerical control system acquires operation instructions by accessing the memory unit.

2. The software architecture for a numerical control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The variable comprises an input signal variable, each bit field of the input signal variable represents an input signal point respectively; and / or The variable comprises an output signal variable, each bit field of the output signal variable represents an output signal point respectively; and / or The variable comprises a parsing variable, the parsing variable is used to store variables in a machining program of the numerical control system; and / or The variable comprises a self-defined variable, the self-defined variable is used to store basic function instructions or self-defined instructions of the numerical control machine tool.

3. The software architecture for a numerical control system according to claim 2, wherein, The variable further comprises an intermediate variable, the intermediate variable is used to store intermediate results generated when the PLC kernel performs logical operations.

4. The software architecture for a CNC system of claim 1, wherein, The PLC interface unit encapsulates a local call interface, and the PLC kernel is communicatively connected with the local call interface.

5. The software architecture for a CNC system of claim 1, wherein, The software architecture comprises a soft PLC, the soft PLC comprises the PLC interface unit and the PLC kernel.

6. The software architecture for a CNC system of claim 1, wherein, The real-time layer further comprises an I / O unit, and the I / O unit is responsive to local hardware devices.

7. A software control method for a numerical control system based on the software architecture according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The software architecture comprises: The PLC interface unit is responsive to remote external devices to generate operation signals; The PLC kernel generates operation instructions based on the operation signals; The memory unit stores the operation instructions and state information of the numerical control system; The numerical control system acquires operation instructions by accessing the memory unit, and the PLC kernel acquires the state information of the numerical control system by accessing the memory unit.

8. An electronic device, comprising: The electronic device comprises: at least one processor; and a memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform the software control method for a numerical control system according to claim 7.

9. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer program is stored on the computer readable storage medium, and the computer program is executed by the processor to implement the software control method for a numerical control system according to claim 7.

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