Movement Path Simulation Using Control Block Execution Times
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control simulators for industrial machines do not accurately account for execution times of control program blocks, leading to inaccurate representation of positional relationships between movable parts of multiple systems, and thus fail to accurately check for interferences or correct processing orders.
Innovation Solution
A movement path drawing device that includes an execution time storage unit, a program analysis unit, a movement path creation unit, a drawing execution control unit, and a drawing unit, which creates and draws movement paths taking into account the execution times of control program blocks, allowing for accurate simulation of positional relationships and interference checks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a control simulator is used to check control programs, then the machine and controller remain available for other uses, but the positional relationships between movable parts cannot be accurately represented due to ignored execution times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs interference checks in advance (offline) before actual machine operation. The offline control simulator executes control programs and checks for interferences between movable parts without occupying the actual machine and controller, allowing programs to be verified beforehand while maintaining machine availability for productive use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the control system and machine environment in the offline control simulator. This copy includes virtual movable parts that replicate the behavior and positions of actual machine components, allowing accurate interference checking without needing the physical machine.
2Measurement precision
If manual handle retrace function or machine-locked operation function is used for interference checks, then positional relationship accuracy is improved, but machine availability decreases due to occupation of controller and machine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual copy of the control system in the offline simulator instead of the actual controller and machine. This copying approach maintains measurement precision for interference checks while eliminating the need to occupy physical resources, thereby preserving machine availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The offline control simulator acts as an intermediary between the control program and the actual machine. It provides accurate interference checking capabilities without directly occupying the controller or machine, serving as a mediator that enables verification while maintaining machine availability.
3Speed
If execution times are ignored in control simulation, then processing speed is improved, but the ability to check interference and processing order is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates execution time information into the offline simulation process as a preliminary step. By obtaining execution times for each block of control programs beforehand and using them in the simulation, the system achieves both efficient processing and reliable interference checking with correct temporal sequencing of movable parts.
Data Source
AI summary
A movement path drawing device includes an execution time storage unit that stores execution times of respective blocks of control programs, a program analysis unit that creates movement command data by analyzing the control programs, a movement path creation unit that creates the movement paths of the movable parts on the basis of the created movement command data, a drawing execution control unit that performs drawing execution control for drawing movement paths indicating a positional relationship between the movable parts of the plurality of systems of the machine at a predetermined time on the basis of the execution times of the respective blocks and the movement paths of the movable parts, created by the movement path creation unit, and a drawing unit that executes drawing processing for drawing the movable parts of the plurality of systems.