CNC Control Device Dynamic Functionality Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manufacturing systems, particularly CNC machines, face challenges in optimizing the cooperation between CAD, CAM, and post-processor systems, leading to suboptimal process results due to frequent updates and individual adaptations, which complicate achieving improved manufacturing quality and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A control device within the manufacturing system that checks for and implements alternative functionalities to enhance manufacturing quality by optimizing control commands, allowing temporary or time-limited activation of improved functionalities for specific quality criteria such as surface roughness, accuracy, or production speed, without relying on external databases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the control system is continuously updated and individual systems are customized to specific customers, then the functionality and quality of the manufacturing system is improved, but the effort and complexity required to maintain the system increases considerably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing qualityVSAvoidsystem maintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic functionality activation mechanism where software components can be selectively activated or deactivated based on current manufacturing requirements. The control device can temporarily activate alternative functionalities to meet specific quality criteria without permanently modifying the system configuration, thereby maintaining flexibility while reducing maintenance complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the activation state of software functionalities as a parameter to adapt to different manufacturing needs. By controlling which functionalities are active at any given time, the system can optimize for specific quality criteria without requiring permanent system reconfiguration or complex integrations between CAD, CAM, and post-processor systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If alternative functionalities are activated to achieve higher quality, then manufacturing quality is improved, but the system requires complex data exchanges and external databases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface qualityVSAvoiddata exchange complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality checking and activation capabilities directly into the control device. Instead of requiring external databases or complex data exchanges between separate systems, the control device independently determines whether alternative functionalities should be activated based on the current manufacturing context and quality requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device performs self-service by autonomously checking for and activating alternative functionalities without requiring complex external data exchanges. The system uses its own internal resources and decision-making capabilities to optimize manufacturing quality, eliminating the need for elaborate integrations with external systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the control device checks for and activates alternative functionalities, then manufacturing speed and quality are improved, but the control device requires additional processing time and resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing speedVSAvoidfunctionality checking time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control device performs preliminary checks to determine whether alternative functionalities are available and appropriate before activation. By assessing the current manufacturing context and quality requirements in advance, the system can make quick decisions about functionality activation without requiring extensive processing time during actual manufacturing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3224680B1Production system having additional functionality, and operating method
Publication Date: 2020.10.14 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3224680B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The problem addressed by the invention is the improvement of the quality of production systems. This problem is solved by a production system having a production machine (1) and a control device (2) for generating specific control commands for the production machine on the basis of production data. The control device (2) has an analysis apparatus (7) which is designed to decide, based on a specified quality criterion, whether an activated functionality, which is already integrated in the control device (2), is used to translate the production data into the specific control commands or an alternative functionality, which is provided in a database (8) outside of the control device (2) or in unactivated form in the control device (2), wherein the control device (2) is designed to save a control file for the alternative functionality and to provide said control file for the translation, and wherein the control device (2) is designed to only temporarily provide the alternative functionality.