Cloud Laser Fabrication With Safe Pause-Restart CNC Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CNC machining systems face challenges in efficiently managing data transmission and processing over lossy and variable bandwidth networks, which can lead to interruptions and inaccuracies in the manufacturing process.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method where a CNC machine receives execution plan segments from a general-purpose computer, with a predefined safe pausing point allowing for clean restarts, and uses network connections to manage data transmission and sensor feedback, ensuring accurate and continuous operation despite network variability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If CNC machines receive execution plans over network connections, then remote control and cloud-based manufacturing are enabled, but network variability and data loss can cause interruptions and inaccuracies in the manufacturing process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The execution plan is divided into multiple segments that can be transmitted separately over the network. Each segment contains instructions for a specific portion of the manufacturing process, allowing the system to receive and execute segments incrementally rather than requiring complete plan transmission before starting work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-processes the execution plan to identify safe pausing points before transmission. These predetermined pause points are strategically selected locations in the manufacturing process where interruption and subsequent resumption will not compromise product quality or process integrity, enabling reliable network-based operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the execution plan is transmitted in segments over a lossy network, then data transmission reliability improves, but the complexity of managing segment reception and restart operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission integrityVSAvoidsegment management system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The CNC machine sends acknowledgments to the cloud system confirming successful reception of execution plan segments. The cloud system tracks which segments have been received and can request retransmission of specific segments if acknowledgments are not received, creating a reliable data transmission mechanism despite network losses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The CNC machine autonomously determines when to pause operations at safe pausing points and can self-restart from these points without requiring external intervention. The system automatically manages the complexity of segment reception and process resumption, reducing the operational burden on users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the manufacturing process can be paused and restarted safely, then production flexibility and error recovery improve, but the need to identify and manage safe pausing points adds system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction flexibilityVSAvoidpause point management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-processes the execution plan to identify safe pausing points before transmission. These predetermined pause points are strategically selected locations in the manufacturing process where interruption and subsequent resumption will not compromise product quality or process integrity, enabling reliable network-based operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The CNC machine autonomously determines when to pause operations at safe pausing points and can self-restart from these points without requiring external intervention. The system automatically manages the complexity of segment reception and process resumption, reducing the operational burden on users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables seamless operation of CNC machines over unreliable networks by ensuring data integrity and allowing for safe pauses and restarts, thereby minimizing errors and maintaining production efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

deliver electromagnetic energy to effect a change in a material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

deliver electromagnetic energy to effect a change in a material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS12330231B2Cloud controlled laser fabrication

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 MAKEBLOCK HONGKONG HOLDING LTD

AI summary

An execution plan segment of an execution plan can be received at a control unit of a computer numerically controlled machine from a general purpose computer. The execution plan segment can define operations for causing movement of a moveable head of the computer numerically controlled machine to deliver electromagnetic energy to effect a change in a material within an interior space of the computer numerically controlled machine. The execution plan segment can include a predefined safe pausing point from which the execution plan can be restarted while minimizing a difference in appearance of a finished work-product relative to if a pause and restart are not necessary. Operations of the computer numerically controlled machine can be commenced only after determining that the execution plan segment has been received up to and including the predefined safe pausing point by the computer numerically controlled machine.