Action Chart Control Programming for Automated Manufacturing Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for generating control programs for automated manufacturing machines are time-consuming and error-prone, requiring expert programmers and lengthy development periods, and are not easily adaptable between different manufacturing sites due to site-specific requirements.

Innovation Solution

A control program generation apparatus and method that uses an action chart (YOGO chart) to automatically generate control programs by separating qualitative and quantitative information, allowing non-expert machine designers to create the chart and reducing errors through intuitive action identifiers and numerical tables, which are then converted into executable program elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control programs are manually developed by expert programmers, then the control program can be accurately generated, but the development time becomes excessively long and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol program accuracyVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an action chart as an intermediary tool between machine designers and control programs. The action chart serves as a standardized interface that automatically translates machine operation descriptions into control programs, eliminating the need for expert programmers while ensuring accurate program generation through structured templates and automated conversion processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control program development process is segmented into distinct components: machine structure description, action chart creation with standardized templates, and automated program generation. This segmentation allows non-experts to work with predefined templates while the system handles complex program synthesis, reducing both time and expertise requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated automated manufacturing machines are developed for each manufacturing site, then the machines can meet site-specific requirements, but the development time and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesite-specific adaptationVSAvoiddevelopment period

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The action chart methodology provides a universal framework that can be applied across different manufacturing sites and machine types. By using standardized templates and structured description methods, the same approach works for various machining operations (cutting, bending, etc.) and different site requirements, enabling rapid adaptation without重新开始 development.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary structuring of machine operations through standardized action charts with predefined templates. This preliminary organization of machine behavior descriptions allows for rapid program generation when adapting to different sites, as the framework is already in place and only needs to be populated with site-specific parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If action charts are used to automatically generate control programs, then development time is reduced and programmer expertise is eliminated, but errors in the action chart can disable the machine from operating as intended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram generation speedVSAvoidmachine operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms including automated validation of action chart entries, consistency checks between machine structure descriptions and action sequences, and verification that generated programs meet operational requirements. This feedback ensures errors are detected and corrected before deployment, maintaining reliability despite automated generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements error prevention measures beforehand through standardized templates, mandatory field validations, and structured formats that prevent common errors. By designing the action chart system with built-in error prevention, the likelihood of disabling errors is reduced before they can occur during program generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4099107B1Control program generation device, control program generation method, and program

Publication Date: 2024.07.17 OPTON CO LTD

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AI summary

An action chart describing an operation of an automated manufacturing machine includes subperiods into which an operation period from a start to an end of the operation of the automated manufacturing machine is divided. The action chart includes element actions included in the operation of the automated manufacturing machine. The element actions on the action chart are assigned to the subperiods and each include an action identifier including qualitative information about the element action, and a numerical table or numerical parameters. The action chart is read. The action identifiers on the action chart are converted into program elements stored in a manner associated with the action identifiers. A numerical value in the numerical table or the numerical parameters is set for each program element. The program elements are combined together in an order of the subperiods on the action chart.