Machine Tool Control System Process Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current control systems for machine tools face inefficiencies due to the need for large-capacity memory and high-performance CPUs, as well as unnecessary processes resident on machine tools, leading to increased costs and reduced performance, especially when multiple tools with varying capabilities and purposes are used simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A control system with a process execution environment determination mechanism that optimally allocates control processes between a high-order server and machine tools based on factors like communication latency, processing capacity, and purpose, using a control process management unit, machining management unit, and control process arrangement unit to determine the most efficient execution environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If various processes are expansively installed in individual machine tools according to diversified uses and purposes, then the functionality and versatility of machine tools are improved, but the memory capacity and CPU performance requirements increase, resulting in cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidmemory capacity and CPU performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control system into two parts: essential control processes remain in the machine tool's numerical controller, while supplementary processes (tool management, preprocessing, basic screen display) are separated and executed on an external server. This segmentation allows the machine tool to maintain core functionality with minimal resources while gaining extended capabilities through the server, thereby improving versatility without proportionally increasing memory and CPU requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the operator and the machine tool. The server handles supplementary processes and communicates with the numerical controller through standardized interfaces, acting as a mediator that provides extended functionality without requiring the machine tool itself to have high-capacity memory or high-performance CPU. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by externalizing resource-intensive functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If various processes are expansively installed in individual machine tools, then the functionality is improved, but the cost of machine tools increases due to large-capacity memory and high-performance CPU requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If unnecessary processes are resident in the machine tool, then the machine tool can access all processes, but the memory is compressed and performance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess availabilityVSAvoidperformance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts supplementary processes from the machine tool's numerical controller and relocates them to an external server. By taking out non-essential processes (tool management, preprocessing, basic screen display) from the machine tool, the system reduces memory usage and CPU load on the numerical controller, thereby improving performance while maintaining access to all necessary functions through the server connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Extent of automation

If all machine tools are connected to a high-order server and run in response to commands from the server, then centralized control is improved, but communication latency may reduce efficiency for machine tools with varying capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidefficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing each machine tool to maintain its own numerical controller that executes essential control processes locally, while connecting to the server for supplementary functions. This approach recognizes that different machine tools have varying capabilities and purposes, and optimizes each connection individually - machine tools with low communication latency can utilize more server-based functions, while those with high latency or specific real-time requirements can rely more on local execution, thereby maintaining both centralized control benefits and individual efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10739760B2Control system

Publication Date: 2020.08.11 FANUC LTD

AI summary

A control system constructed so that a machine tool and a high-order server configured to manage the machine tool are connected through a communication line determines the arrangement of a control process in the respective execution environments of the machine tool and the high-order server, based on an execution condition for the execution of the control process available in machining performed in the machine tool and machining information on the machining in the machine tool.