Numerical Controller Resource Activation for Scalable CNC Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers of production machines are limited by the performance of their numerical control systems, requiring costly upgrades or compromises in processing time to achieve higher machining accuracy or performance, as existing solutions do not allow for scalable performance adjustments within budget constraints.
Innovation Solution
The numerical control system executes a utility program using a system program to dynamically manage resources such as processor cores, threads, cache, and external computing power, allowing for scalable performance adjustments through activation codes, ensuring only approved features are used, thereby offering a powerful control at a reasonable price.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a manufacturer purchases a powerful numerical control system to achieve higher machining accuracy and performance, then machining accuracy and performance are improved, but cost and commissioning effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the numerical control system's resources into multiple classes (e.g., processor performance, memory capacity, I/O capabilities) that can be independently activated or deactivated. This allows the system to be divided into functional modules that can be selectively enabled based on the specific machining requirements, enabling high precision operations only when needed while keeping the base system cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the numerical control system can adjust its performance characteristics in real-time based on the machining task at hand. Resources such as processor clock rates, memory allocation, and activation of specific control functions can be dynamically scaled up for high-precision operations and scaled down for routine tasks, optimizing both performance and cost efficiency.
2Device complexity
If a manufacturer uses a basic numerical control system to reduce costs, then cost is reduced, but future performance upgrades require complete system replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-configuring the numerical control system with all potential high-performance resources and capabilities, but keeping them deactivated by default. The system is designed in advance to support full scalability, with activation codes and configuration mechanisms ready to enable additional resources when needed, eliminating the need for complete system replacement during upgrades.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal numerical control platform that can perform multiple functions across different performance levels. The same hardware platform can serve both basic machining operations and advanced high-precision operations by selectively activating different resource sets, making the system adaptable to various manufacturing requirements without requiring multiple specialized systems.
3Productivity
If a manufacturer activates all resources in a numerical control system, then performance is maximized, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling specific resources in specific locations or functional areas of the numerical control system based on local requirements. Instead of uniformly activating all resources, the system allows selective activation of processor cores, memory segments, or control functions in specific areas where they are needed, optimizing performance for particular machining tasks while avoiding unnecessary cost elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes to control system performance and cost, where activation codes modify key parameters such as processor clock rates, memory allocation sizes, and enabled control functions. By changing these parameters dynamically through software configuration rather than hardware modification, the system can adjust performance levels to match requirements without incurring proportional cost increases.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a numerical controller (5) which executes a useful program (9) while being monitored by a system program (6). In the course of executing the useful program (9), the numerical controller (5) determines, by means of at least one processor (10) having at least one first clock rate, target values for position-controlled axes (3) of a machine (1) controlled by the numerical controller (5) and actuates the position-controlled axes (3) in accordance with the respectively determined target values. With regard to resources of the numerical controller (5), it is in each case recorded in the numerical controller (5) whether, and optionally within what scope, said resources are enabled or whether such resources are disabled. Enabling or disabling the resources establishes how many of a plurality of processor (10) cores are enabled for use and/or how many of a plurality of processor (10) threads are enabled for use and/or to what extent a processor (10) cache and/or a main memory assigned to the processor (10) are enabled for use and/or what hardware components of the numerical controller (5) are enabled for use and/or to what extent the use of external computing power is permitted. The numerical controller (5) determines the target values for the position-controlled axes (3) using only the enabled resources.