Numerical Controller Touch Panel Axis Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for manually moving axes of a machine tool are burdensome for operators, requiring continuous manual operation and visual verification of axis positions, which is difficult due to preset speed limitations and the need for individual axis control.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that includes a movement plane acquisition unit, machine coordinate conversion, image coordinate conversion, operation target position acquisition, operation icon display, slide position acquisition, movement amount calculation, and axial movement units to enable intuitive axis movement by converting touch panel slide operations into machine coordinate system movements, reducing operator burden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual continuous feed or manual handle feed is used to move axes, then the operator can control the machine tool axes, but the operator needs to continuously check both the machining area and the screen, creating a heavy burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the machining area on the touch panel screen that corresponds to the actual physical machining area. When the operator touches or slides on the screen, the operation icon moves along the touched path, and this movement is transmitted to control the actual machine tool axes. This copying approach allows the operator to control axes by simply touching the screen without needing to continuously check both the screen and the physical machining area, significantly reducing operator burden while maintaining ease of control.
2Measurement precision
If each axis is operated individually with preset speed, then the axis can be controlled, but it is difficult to visually check that the axis reaches the intended position accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent displays an operation icon on the touch panel that visually represents the position of the machine tool axis. The icon moves along the touched path on the screen, providing real-time visual feedback that corresponds to the actual axis position. This allows the operator to easily verify whether the axis has reached the intended position by simply observing the icon's position on the screen, eliminating the difficulty of visual checking while maintaining precise position control.
3Manufacturing precision
If the icon is continuously depressed on the touch panel, then the axis can be moved to the intended position, but this requires continuous operator input and attention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows the operator to perform a slide operation on the touch panel to designate a target position and movement path in advance. The controller then automatically executes the axis movement along this pre-designated path without requiring continuous operator input during the movement process. This preliminary action approach maintains precise positioning accuracy while significantly reducing the time and attention required from the operator compared to continuous depression methods.
4Adaptability or versatility
If axes are moved at preset speed only, then the control is simple, but the operator cannot adjust the movement speed for better visual verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic speed adjustment during axis movement by allowing the operator to touch the screen at different positions. The controller calculates the movement speed based on the touched position and distance, automatically adjusting the speed to allow the operator to visually verify the axis position. This dynamic control approach provides speed flexibility without requiring complex manual speed control mechanisms, as the system automatically adapts the speed based on the operator's input.
Data Source
AI summary
A numerical controller includes a movement plane acquisition unit configured to accept designation of a movement plane in a machine coordinate system, a machine coordinate conversion unit configured to convert a coordinate value in the machine coordinate system into an image coordinate system, an image coordinate conversion unit configured to convert a coordinate value in the image coordinate system into the machine coordinate system, an operation target position acquisition unit configured to acquire position information on an operation target, an operation icon display unit configured to display an operation icon corresponding to the position information, a slide position acquisition unit configured to acquire a slide position, a movement amount calculation unit configured to calculate an axial movement amount, and an axial movement unit configured to move the operation target according to the axial movement amount.