Multi-Machine Warming Start Time Management System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems are ineffective in optimizing the warming start times of multiple machines, leading to unnecessary power consumption due to inefficient management of warming periods across a plurality of machines.

Innovation Solution

A management system that estimates and determines optimal start-up and warming start times for multiple machines based on machining start times, number of machines, and process periods, while also collecting environment data to adjust these times for efficient power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a warming operation is performed for each machine individually, then each machine is prepared for machining, but unnecessary power consumption occurs due to lack of coordination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachining readinessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the warming operations of multiple machines into a coordinated schedule, merging previously independent warming decisions into a unified management system that optimizes power consumption across all machines simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculation of optimal warming start times for multiple machines based on their machining schedules, determining the warming schedule in advance to avoid unnecessary power consumption while ensuring machining readiness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If warming start times are calculated without considering other machines, then calculation is simple, but power consumption cannot be optimized across multiple machines

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalculation complexityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the warming period into distinct phases (start-up period, warming period, process period) and calculates optimal start times for each segment, breaking down the complex multi-machine optimization into manageable computational steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts warming start times for each machine based on the machining schedules of other machines, making the warming calculation adaptive and responsive to changing production requirements rather than using fixed schedules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If warming periods are extended to ensure machine readiness, then machining reliability is improved, but unnecessary power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachining readinessVSAvoidwarming period duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the timing parameters of warming operations by calculating optimal start times that precisely match when each machine is needed for machining, adjusting the warming duration and start time to eliminate unnecessary extended warming periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10274940B2Management system

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 FANUC LTD

AI summary

A management system outputs at least one of a start-up start time and a warming start time of a plurality of machines. An input unit receives the input of a machining start time and the largest number of the machines. An estimation unit estimates a start-up period, a warming period, and a process period of each of the plurality of machines. A determination unit determines at least one of a start-up start time and a warming start time of each of the plurality of machines based on the machining start time, the largest number of the machines, the start-up period, the warming period, and the process period. A notification unit notifies at least one of the start-up start time and the warming start time.