NC-Robot Variable Conversion for Reusing Existing Robot Programs
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Solution Overview
Problem
In numerical control systems that coordinate the operations of machine tools and robots, existing technologies require the robot control device to recreate its program using variables from the numerical control device, rendering it impossible to utilize existing robot control programs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a numerical control system that includes a signal variable converter, allowing the robot control device to read and convert the variables from the numerical control device into signals or variables that the robot control device can use, thereby enabling the use of existing robot control programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the robot control program is linked via the variables of the numerical control device, then the numerical control system can control the operations of the machine tool and robot in conjunction with each other, but the robot control device needs to newly create the robot control program using the variables of the numerical control device, making it impossible to use existing robot control programs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a signal variable converter as an intermediary component that bridges the numerical control device and robot control device. This converter translates variables from the numerical control device into signals or variables that the robot control device can use, enabling the robot control device to utilize existing control programs without direct linkage that would require program recreation.
2Productivity
If the robot control device directly uses variables from the numerical control device, then the coordination between machine tool and robot operations can be achieved, but the existing robot control program cannot be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The signal variable converter is configured to perform preliminary conversion of variables into robot-compatible signals before the robot control device executes the control program. This preliminary action enables the robot control device to use existing programs immediately without requiring time-consuming program recreation, thus maintaining high productivity while avoiding time loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a signal variable converter is introduced to convert variables, then existing robot control programs can be used, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The signal variable converter is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple types of variables and convert them into appropriate robot control signals. This multi-functional capability allows a single converter component to serve various conversion needs, reducing overall system complexity despite the addition of the conversion function.
Data Source
AI summary
A numerical control system that controls the operation of a machine tool and the operation a robot in a linked manner, comprising a numerical control device that controls the operation of the machine tool on the basis of a numerical control program, a robot control device that controls the operation of the robot on the basis of a robot control program, a variable storage unit that stores the value of a variable that is readable and writable by the numerical control device, and a signal variable converter that converts the value of the variable of the numerical control device to a signal or a variable for the robot control device, wherein: the robot control device reads out the value of the variable of the numerical control device stored in the variable storage unit; the signal variable converter converts the value of the read-out variable of the numerical control device to the signal or the variable for the robot control device; and the robot control device controls the operation of the robot on the basis of the converted signal or variable for the robot control device.