Numerical Controller UI Screen Creation With Machine-Specific Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developers of user interface screens for numerical controllers face difficulties in determining available parts and operations, leading to cumbersome settings due to a vast number of options, making the creation process troublesome.
Innovation Solution
A screen creation device that includes a part library, machine information acquirer, available part determinator, and editor to simplify the creation of user interface screens by storing and arranging parts, determining available composite parts based on machine information, and restricting the use of unavailable parts and operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a huge number of parts and operations are provided in the part library, then the versatility and functionality of the UI screen creation is improved, but the complexity of determining which parts and operations are available increases, making the creation process troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically determining and presenting only the composite parts and operations that are available for the specific machine tool type before the developer begins creation. The determination unit pre-evaluates which parts from the part library are applicable based on the selected machine tool, so developers don't have to manually filter through unavailable options.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit acts as an intermediary between the part library and the developer. It mediates by filtering and selecting appropriate composite parts based on machine tool specifications, translating the developer's selection into a curated subset of available parts and operations, thus simplifying the creation process while maintaining access to the full part library's functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all composite parts and operations are made available, then the adaptability to different machine tool types is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the difficulty in determining which parts are applicable
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filtering of composite parts and operations based on the selected machine tool type before presentation to the developer. This preliminary action ensures that only applicable parts are shown, maintaining ease of operation while preserving adaptability to different machine tool configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit serves as an intermediary that adapts the full set of composite parts and operations to the specific machine tool type. It mediates between the general-purpose part library and the specific requirements of different machine tools, automatically filtering to show only relevant options to the developer.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the part library contains many options for parts and operations, then the versatility of UI screen creation is improved, but the time required to perform appropriate settings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The determination unit performs preliminary filtering of available composite parts and operations based on the machine tool type before the developer begins work. This preliminary action reduces the time needed for setting parts by eliminating the need to manually evaluate which of the many options in the part library are applicable to the specific machine tool configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The determination unit acts as a time-saving intermediary by automatically matching composite parts and operations to the selected machine tool type. It mediates between the extensive part library options and the specific machine tool requirements, instantly filtering to show only applicable options, thus significantly reducing the time developers spend on part selection and configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A screen creation device, which supports the creation of a user interface screen for a numerical controller, is provided with a part library that stores parts to be placed on the user interface screen and composite parts that are combinations of a plurality of parts. The screen creation device: acquires mechanical information about a machine tool to be controlled by the numerical controller; determines composite parts that can be used on the user interface screen based on the mechanical information about the machine tool; presents the usable composite parts to a user; and accepts the placement of the usable composite parts onto the user interface screen.