Numerical Control Adaptive Drive Parameterization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing numerical control systems for machine tools lack the ability to dynamically adapt to the current operating state of the machine, limiting their effectiveness in optimizing performance across varying conditions and coupled axes.

Innovation Solution

Making drive controller variables and machine parameters accessible for user-defined functions, allowing for additive, multiplicative, or convolutive input to enable adaptive compensation of geometry errors and resonance issues, with user-friendly selection and parameterization through a function library and editor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manufacturer-fixed parameterization is used, then machine setup is simplified, but adaptability to different operating states and coupled axes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to operating stateVSAvoidparameterization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms static, manufacturer-fixed parameters into dynamic, user-configurable parameters that can adapt to different operating states. Users can define custom parameters and modify existing ones based on actual machine behavior and coupled axis interactions, enabling the system to dynamically adjust to varying operational conditions rather than being constrained by pre-set values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention enables comprehensive parameter modification capabilities where users can change machine parameters, drive controller variables, and control variables according to specific operating requirements. This includes adjusting parameters for different working points, compensating for geometric errors, and optimizing performance across varying conditions without being limited to factory defaults.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If comprehensive parameter access is enabled, then adaptability and precision are enhanced, but system complexity and programming requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where users can monitor actual machine behavior and adjust parameters accordingly. The system allows access to actual values and control variables, enabling users to observe system responses and fine-tune parameters to achieve optimal positioning precision and compensate for real-world deviations from theoretical models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention empowers users to independently configure and optimize their own systems without requiring extensive programming expertise. Through intuitive interfaces and pre-defined parameter categories, users can access and modify the parameters they need to achieve precise control, making the system self-serviceable rather than requiring complex external programming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If user-defined functions are implemented, then flexibility in compensating geometry errors is improved, but ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror compensation capabilityVSAvoidparameterization ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user and the complex parameter system. This includes pre-defined parameter categories, structured configuration interfaces, and automated calculation capabilities that mediate between user intentions and the underlying complex control parameters, making error compensation more accessible without requiring deep programming knowledge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by providing pre-configured parameter sets and automated calculation routines for common compensation scenarios. Users can start with pre-defined configurations and modify them as needed, rather than building compensation functions from scratch, thereby reducing the operational burden while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2479628B1Numerical control
Publication Date: 2017.08.23 DR JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
  • EP2479628B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2479628B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2479628B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Numerical control for operating a multi-axis machine tool, with a drive controller for each axis to be controlled, wherein the drive controllers are parameterizable via machine parameters (Kp, Ki, Kd, ​​MP, Tt) and thus adaptable to a wide variety of applications, characterized in that variable control variables (wnom, wact, Iqnom, Iqact, Unom, vnom, anom, I_int) and machine parameters (Kp, Ki, Kd, ​​MP, Tt) can be selected via tap points in the drive controllers in order to be used as arguments or parameters of a user-defined function for calculating an output value, which serves to influence one of the drive controllers in a function-dependent manner.