Distributed NC Apparatus Virtual Axis Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-axis/multi-system NC apparatuses are limited by the number of controllable systems and axes due to hardware constraints, requiring high-performance and costly hardware for increased capabilities, and existing solutions for synchronizing control between different NC apparatuses lack clear correlation and guaranteed interpolation and synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A numerical control system that includes virtual-axis setting, external communication units, analysis processing, interpolation control, and axis-control-right switch processing units to freely combine and synchronize control axes between different NC apparatuses, allowing for interpolation and synchronization control without hardware performance limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multi-axis/multi-system NC apparatus uses one unit of hardware to control all systems and axes, then control integration is achieved, but the number of controllable systems and axes is limited by memory capacity and CPU processing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into multiple independent NC apparatuses (NC apparatus 101, 201, etc.), each capable of controlling its own systems and axes. This segmentation allows each apparatus to operate independently while still enabling coordinated multi-axis control across the distributed system, thereby increasing the total number of controllable systems and axes without requiring a single high-performance hardware unit
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a delay control unit as an intermediary component that receives interpolation outputs from one NC apparatus and transmits them to another NC apparatus with appropriate timing adjustments. This mediator enables synchronized control across distributed apparatuses, allowing coordination without requiring all apparatuses to have identical high-performance hardware specifications
2Adaptability or versatility
If larger-capacity memories and higher-speed CPU are installed to increase the number of systems and axes, then control capability is improved, but development cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of upgrading a single NC apparatus with expensive high-performance hardware, the patent segments the control function across multiple standard-performance NC apparatuses. Each apparatus uses modest hardware specifications, but collectively they provide the equivalent or superior control capability, significantly reducing development and manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of standard NC apparatus units rather than one unique high-performance unit. Each apparatus unit is a standardized, cost-effective design that can be replicated and distributed, allowing the system to achieve high control capability through quantity and coordination rather than through expensive individual hardware specifications
3Adaptability or versatility
If interpolation control is performed between axes of different NC apparatuses, then multi-axis control is achieved, but clear correlation and guaranteed synchronization are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where each NC apparatus transmits interpolation outputs and axis state information to other apparatuses controlling virtual axes. The delay control unit adjusts timing based on this feedback, ensuring that interpolation control between distributed apparatuses maintains clear correlation and guaranteed synchronization, achieving reliability comparable to single-apparatus control
Data Source
AI summary
A first NC apparatus includes a virtual-axis setting unit that sets a predetermined axis coupled to a second NC apparatus as an axis controlled by itself. The second NC apparatus includes an axis-control-right switch processing unit that switches a control right of an axis set by an external-switching-axis setting unit between the first and the second NC apparatuses. When the control right is switched to the first NC apparatus, the first NC apparatus synchronously controls a predetermined axis coupled to the first NC apparatus with a predetermined axis coupled to the second NC apparatus and set by the first virtual-axis setting unit.