Engineering Station Motion Path Diagnosis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for commissioning devices such as robots or machine tools require manual commissioning of motion commands, which can be complex and challenging due to the diversity of coordinate systems and program lines, making it difficult for engineers to identify the correct program lines responsible for specific positions or times during the commissioning process.

Innovation Solution

A method and engineering station that records position vectors and code line indices at sampling times, displaying a 3D representation of the device's movement path as a polygonal line, allowing users to select points to view associated code lines, and a path-time diagram for intuitive program command identification, with optional step-by-step execution and simulation capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a text-based program editor is used for programming motion commands, then the programming power and flexibility are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because engineers lose track of which program lines correspond to specific positions or times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming flexibilityVSAvoidease of commissioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary graphical interface that acts as a mediator between the text-based program editor and the physical device. This interface displays a visual representation of the movement path with time markers, allowing engineers to select positions or times graphically. The system then highlights the corresponding program lines in the text editor, bridging the gap between graphical intuition and text-based programming without losing the flexibility of the latter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual, mechanical process of tracking program lines with an automated electronic system. Instead of manually scrolling through and identifying relevant program lines, the system automatically highlights the corresponding lines in the text editor based on graphical selections. This substitution of manual mechanical tracking with automated electronic highlighting significantly improves ease of operation while preserving programming flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual commissioning of motion commands is performed, then the ability to handle diverse coordinate systems and program lines is improved, but the time required for commissioning increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling diverse coordinate systemsVSAvoidcommissioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-displaying the complete movement path and program structure before the commissioning process begins. The system loads and displays the entire program with its corresponding graphical representation, allowing engineers to overview and plan their commissioning approach. This preliminary visualization reduces the time needed during actual commissioning by eliminating the need to manually search and identify relevant program sections during the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the complete program is displayed in the text editor, then all program commands are available for editing, but it becomes difficult to identify the specific program lines responsible for particular positions or times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram editing capabilityVSAvoiddifficulty of locating specific program lines

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs color changes as a visual indicator mechanism. When a position or time is selected in the graphical interface, the corresponding program lines in the text editor are highlighted with distinct colors or background shading. This color-coded highlighting system allows engineers to quickly identify relevant program lines among the complete program display, maintaining full editing capability while solving the location difficulty through visual differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP4276553B1Method for diagnosis of a user program and engineering station

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 SIEMENS AG

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for diagnosing an application program (AP) for controlling motion and positioning tasks of a plurality of drives (M) which are operated to execute a motion path (1) of a device (50), wherein the application program (AP) triggers individual motion segments (2) of the device (50) by executing program commands (Bi), wherein the program commands (Bi) are implemented as code lines (CZk) in a text-based program editor (3), wherein the device (50) with its motion path (1) is displayed as a three-dimensional view (3D) in a first output element (11), wherein a graphic element (4) in the form of a polygon for motion segments (2) is generated to display the motion path (1), which is operated sensitively so that a user (IBS) can select a point (D) on the polygon with a pointing device (5) and an output field (6) with a code line (CZk) is displayed.Where the displayed code line (CZk) contains the program instruction (Bi) which, through its execution, is responsible for reaching the selected position (D) within the movement section (2) of the device or the position vector (Pn), a recording procedure was carried out in which the current position vector (Pn) and the associated code line (CZk) or a code line index (In) were recorded at sampling times (nT).