NC Machine Tool Data Telegram Verification for Correct Recipients

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Solution Overview

Problem

In numerically controlled machine tools, ensuring that data telegrams reach the correct peripheral devices is challenging due to changes in component serial numbers during exchanges and potential errors in digital network transmission, leading to incorrect deliveries and parameterization issues.

Innovation Solution

A method where the numerical control recalculates a unique identification number for each data telegram, including routing information and a hash value, to verify the correct recipient and parameterization, triggering error reactions if mismatches are detected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If unique identification numbers are assigned to machine components, then components can be uniquely identified, but the identification number changes when components are exchanged requiring updates to all network participants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent identification reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork update complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification system is segmented into static component-specific identifiers and dynamic context-specific identifiers. Each component maintains its own unique identifier locally, while the network communication uses recalculated identifiers that combine routing information with component-specific hash values, allowing independent component exchange without network-wide updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculation of identification numbers at both the controller and peripheral device sides before actual communication. This pre-calculation ensures that when components are exchanged, the identification numbers are automatically recalculated based on current routing information and component hash values, eliminating the need for manual network updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If digital network communication is used between controller and peripheral devices, then data exchange flexibility is improved, but incorrect delivery of data telegrams may occur due to transmission errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata exchange flexibilityVSAvoiddata telegram delivery accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the recipient device verifies the identification number in each received data telegram against its own calculated expected identification number. This verification process provides feedback on whether the telegram was correctly delivered to the intended recipient, allowing detection and correction of routing errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary anti-action by pre-calculating and comparing identification numbers before processing data telegram contents. This prevents incorrect deliveries from propagating further into the system by rejecting mismatched telegrams at the identification verification stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If identification numbers include routing information and hash values, then correct recipient identification and parameterization verification are improved, but data telegram structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecipient identification accuracyVSAvoiddata telegram structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification number merges multiple functions into a single data structure: routing information for path identification, hash values for component verification, and parameterization checks. This consolidation improves reliability while managing complexity through unified processing at both transmitter and receiver sides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3599525B1Method for secure data communication on a numerically controlled machine tool
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 DR JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
  • EP3599525B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3599525B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for secure data communication on a numerically controlled machine tool is disclosed, comprising a numerical control (NC) acting as a sender, which is connected via a digital network (N) for the exchange of data telegrams (T) to a plurality of peripheral devices (U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9) acting as receivers, each of which is assigned a unique identification number (ID). This identification number (ID) is recalculated by both the control (NC) and the peripheral device (U1, U2, U3, U4, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9) for each transmission of such a data telegram (T) and is a component of the data telegram (T). Thus, when a data telegram (T) is sent, an expectation is established, which can be used to verify whether the data telegram has reached the correct receiver.