Numerical Controller Auxiliary Command Execution

Solution Overview

Problem

Prior numerical controllers cannot confirm whether auxiliary commands indicating the unnecessity of receiving completion signals are ended successfully, leading to potential defects in machined products and reduced machining efficiency due to incomplete auxiliary functions.

Innovation Solution

A numerical controller that determines if a program command is an auxiliary command, transmits a signal to execute the associated function, and continues monitoring the completion signal while executing subsequent commands, ending monitoring when the signal is received or a predetermined condition is met, allowing for successful function verification and efficient machining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the numerical controller waits for completion signals before executing subsequent commands, then the reliability of auxiliary function execution is improved, but the machining time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauxiliary function execution reliabilityVSAvoidmachining time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary classification of auxiliary commands into two categories: those requiring completion signals and those not requiring them. This preliminary action allows the controller to prepare execution strategies in advance, executing non-critical auxiliary commands without waiting for completion signals while maintaining reliability for critical functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary command execution process is segmented into two parallel pathways: one that waits for completion signals and another that does not. This segmentation allows simultaneous execution of different command types, improving overall machining efficiency while maintaining necessary reliability checks where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the numerical controller does not wait for completion signals, then the machining efficiency is improved, but the reliability of auxiliary function completion confirmation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemachining efficiencyVSAvoidauxiliary function completion confirmation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary classification of auxiliary commands into two categories: those requiring completion signals and those not requiring them. This preliminary action allows the controller to prepare execution strategies in advance, executing non-critical auxiliary commands without waiting for completion signals while maintaining reliability for critical functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

For auxiliary commands classified as not requiring completion signals, the system implements a feedback mechanism that monitors whether the auxiliary function has actually completed. This feedback ensures that even without explicit completion signals, the system can confirm function completion and maintain reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the numerical controller monitors completion signals for all auxiliary commands, then the reliability of function completion is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction completion reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary command execution process is segmented into two parallel pathways: one that waits for completion signals and another that does not. This segmentation allows simultaneous execution of different command types, improving overall machining efficiency while maintaining necessary reliability checks where required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary classification of auxiliary commands into two categories: those requiring completion signals and those not requiring them. This preliminary action allows the controller to prepare execution strategies in advance, executing non-critical auxiliary commands without waiting for completion signals while maintaining reliability for critical functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9335757B2Numerical controller with auxiliary command execution function

Publication Date: 2016.05.10 FANUC LTD

AI summary

When a program command read from a machining program is an auxiliary command, a command associated with the auxiliary command is transmitted. Monitoring of reception of a completion signal corresponding to the command is started. When the completion signal is not received, and when the auxiliary command is a command indicating the unnecessity of waiting to receive the completion signal, determination is made as to whether or not a condition for ending the monitoring of the completion signal corresponding to the auxiliary command is satisfied without receiving the completion signal. When the condition is satisfied, an error process is executed to end the execution of the machining program.