Automation System Tracking Device for Numerical Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automation systems for numerical control apparatuses lack efficient and automatic tracking of operating steps, leading to inefficiencies and potential human errors in managing production and business operations.

Innovation Solution

A tracking device that automatically extracts and associates machining parameters with operating steps, storing this information for easy integration into existing systems, allowing real-time monitoring and reducing human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual tracking of operating steps is implemented, then some monitoring capability is achieved, but time is wasted and human errors occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidtime for manual tracking
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The numerical control apparatus automatically performs tracking of its own operating steps by extracting data from its internal storage means, eliminating the need for manual intervention and thereby reducing time loss while maintaining high reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical tracking process is replaced by an automated electronic data extraction and transmission system that automatically retrieves operating step data from storage means and transmits it to the tracking device, eliminating human error and time consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated tracking is implemented, then tracking efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A tracking device is introduced as an intermediary component that receives data from the numerical control apparatus's storage means and processes it into meaningful tracking information, thereby achieving automated tracking without significantly complicating the core numerical control system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tracking device is designed to handle multiple types of operating step data and can be applied to different numerical control apparatuses, providing a universal solution that improves productivity without requiring custom complex systems for each application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If detailed tracking of machining parameters is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining parameter accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking device extracts only the relevant machining parameter data needed for tracking from the comprehensive storage means of the numerical control apparatus, obtaining precise manufacturing information without processing the entire dataset, thereby maintaining precision while reducing processing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3832415B1Automation system, tracking device of said automation system, and method for controlling the same
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 FRIULDEV SRL
  • EP3832415B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3832415B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to an automation system (100) comprising a resource management section (10) configured to generate an order code of a machining to be carried out, an instruction generation section (20) configured to generate machine-control instructions, a numerical control apparatus (30) configured to perform the machine control instructions by means of actuator means (33) actuated by a control module (32). Specifically, the automation system (100) further comprises a tracking device (40) in communication with the control module (32) of the numerical control apparatus (30), and configured to extract the order code and information related to each of the machining operating steps, generating an aggregated filter code related to each of said operating steps, acquiring a value of at least one machining parameter, associating the value of at least one machining parameter with the respective said aggregated filter code generating an aggregated tracking code, and storing in second storage means (50) the aggregated tracking code, providing the latter to the automation system (100).