Multi-Core Numerical Controller Axis Control Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Numerical controllers with multi-core processors face challenges in reducing heat generation, power consumption, and cost while efficiently handling increased axis control routines, particularly in multi-axial machine tools, leading to difficulties in allocating processing time for high-real-time axis control and low-real-time automatic operation and HMI routines.
Innovation Solution
A numerical controller configuration that divides axis control routines into groups and distributes processing across multiple cores of a multi-core processor, using inter-core interrupts and shared memory to manage and monitor completion, allowing for efficient execution of high-real-time axis control routines while reducing heat and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of control axes increases in multi-axial machine tools, then the functionality and processing capability are improved, but the axis control routine processing time increases making it difficult to complete within the specified period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the axis control routine into multiple independent processing units, each handled by a separate core in the multi-core processor. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different axis groups, reducing the total processing time while maintaining support for multiple control axes.
2Productivity
If more processing is performed in a shorter time to achieve high-speed machining, then the productivity is improved, but the heat generation and power consumption increase making the CPU unfit for machine tool control environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing workload across multiple cores of a multi-core processor, allowing high-speed machining operations to be distributed and executed in parallel. This approach achieves high productivity without requiring a single high-frequency CPU that would generate excessive heat and consume too much power.
3Speed
If a multi-CPU configuration is used to handle increased processing requirements, then the processing speed is improved, but the cost and hardware circuit complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple processing units into a single multi-core processor package, achieving the processing speed of multiple CPUs while reducing hardware complexity. The multi-core processor integrates multiple independent processing cores on one chip, eliminating the need for separate CPU boards and reducing peripheral hardware circuits compared to a multi-CPU configuration.
4Manufacturing precision
If the specified period for axis control routine is shortened to achieve high-precision machining at high speed, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the processing time available for automatic operation routine and HMI routine decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments different types of routines into separate processing groups handled by different cores. High-real-time axis control routines are processed by dedicated cores with strict timing, while low-real-time automatic operation and HMI routines are processed by other cores with more flexible timing, allowing both precision and adequate time for all operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A numerical controller that controls a machine including a plurality of axes includes a multi-core processor having a plurality of cores. If a request is made to cause each of the plurality of cores to perform a plurality of pieces of grouped axis control routine obtained by dividing axis control routine of the plurality of axes by a unit of any number of the axes, an execution unit arranged in each of the plurality of cores performs the grouped axis control routine. In addition, a completion state of the plurality of pieces of grouped axis control routine is monitored.