Machining Program Block Editing During Active CNC Operation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Numerical controllers cannot edit machining programs during active machining operations without suspending the process, leading to inefficiencies due to potential memory inconsistencies and the need for post-editing procedures that halt production.
Innovation Solution
A machining program editing device predicts an editable time for each block of the program, allowing for editing during execution without halting operations by using a machining time prediction unit, look-ahead block number calculation unit, editable time calculation unit, program editing unit, and editable time display unit to manage and reflect edits within the machining program.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the machining program is edited during the machining operation without suspension, then productivity is improved by eliminating loss time, but memory consistency deteriorates leading to incorrect checksum errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating editable times for each block before editing occurs. The editable time calculation unit determines the time window for each block based on predicted machining times and look-ahead block numbers, ensuring that edits are performed during safe time windows when memory consistency can be maintained. This preliminary calculation prevents memory inconsistency errors while enabling continuous editing during machining operations.
2Reliability
If the machining program is copied to a different memory space for editing, then memory consistency is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to suspension and resume procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The machining program is segmented into individual blocks, each with calculated editable times. Instead of copying the entire program to a different memory space, the system divides the program into manageable blocks (N1, N2, N3, etc.) and calculates editable time windows for each block based on predicted machining times and look-ahead block numbers. This segmentation allows selective editing of specific blocks during machining operations without suspending the entire operation, maintaining both memory consistency and productivity.
3Reliability
If the machining operation is suspended for editing and correction, then memory consistency is ensured, but loss time increases reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous editing of the machining program during active machining operations by calculating editable time windows for each block. The program editing unit allows operators to edit blocks during their calculated editable times without suspending the machining operation. This continuity eliminates loss time associated with suspension and resume procedures while maintaining memory consistency through the editable time calculation mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A machining program editing device calculates an editable time for a block of a machining program, makes editable only those of a plurality of blocks in the machining program which have the editable time left remaining, and locally writes only edited portions into a machining program used for control.