Buffered Position Setpoints for Collision-Aware CNC Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing numerical control systems for production machines often fail to account for real-time events, leading to collisions and reduced productivity due to the inability to adjust position setpoint values in response to unforeseen movements, resulting in potential damage and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A method where a numerical control system determines position setpoint values, checks for collision risks, stores safe values in a buffer, and only updates values when a collision risk is detected, allowing for a controlled stop or reduced velocity to prevent collisions while maintaining productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real-time events are continuously considered in position setpoint determination, then collision prevention is improved, but system response delay increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing multiple position setpoint values (first, second, and third setpoints) before real-time events occur. When a real-time event is detected, the system can immediately switch to pre-calculated alternative setpoints without performing collision checks in real-time, thus preventing collisions while avoiding response delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects between different position setpoint values based on detected real-time events. The control system transitions from using a first position setpoint to alternative setpoints (second or third) when collisions are predicted, enabling adaptive response to changing conditions without continuous real-time calculation.
2Reliability
If minimum spacing is enforced between machine elements, then collision prevention is improved, but movement freedom is reduced and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the position control into multiple discrete setpoint values (first, second, third position setpoints) corresponding to different spacing conditions. This allows the system to select appropriate setpoints based on real-time spacing requirements, preventing collisions while maintaining movement freedom when spacing conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes position setpoint parameters dynamically based on detected conditions. When minimum spacing requirements are met, the system uses position setpoints that allow greater movement freedom; when spacing constraints are detected, it switches to alternative setpoints that maintain safe distances, thus balancing collision prevention with productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A numerical control system determines iteratively a group of position setpoint values for axes of a production machine based on presets. When no risk of a collision of one moved element with another element exists, the group of position setpoint values is stored in a buffer store. Another already stored group of position setpoint values is read from the buffer store which then controls the axes and moves the element along a path defined by the sequence of the groups of position setpoint values. This process continues for as long as no risk of a collision exists. If a risk of a collision exists, the numerical control system brings the axes to a standstill. Previously unknown real time events are considered only in the determination of the groups of position setpoint values not yet stored in the buffer store. The groups of already stored position setpoint values are not altered.