Numerical Controller Override Switch for Block End Point Confirmation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In machining programs, confirming the end point of each block is cumbersome due to the need to repeatedly depress the start button, especially for programs with many blocks, and stopping the operation at the correct end point is difficult without frequent override switch adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A numerical controller with an override input unit, monitoring unit, and execution block control unit allows suspension and resumption of the machining program at block end points using only the override switch, eliminating the need for frequent start button presses and enabling precise confirmation of end points without interrupting confirmed parts of the program.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If single-block operation is used to confirm end point of each block, then measurement precision of end point position is improved, but loss of time increases due to repeated start button presses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous execution of machining programs by eliminating the need to repeatedly press the start button. The control unit automatically determines whether to execute the next block based on override switch operations, allowing the program to run continuously while still enabling end point confirmation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically controlling program execution flow based on override switch states. The control unit monitors override switch operations and autonomously decides whether to continue or suspend block execution, eliminating the need for manual start button presses and reducing operator workload.
2Reliability
If override switch is operated to set feed speed to 0% to stop operation, then safety is improved, but ability to stop at block end point deteriorates because operation stops in the middle of block
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the function of the override switch based on the operational context. When the feed rate is reduced to a predetermined value or lower, the system interprets this as a request to stop at the block end point rather than immediately halting motion. This dynamic interpretation allows the override switch to serve dual purposes: safety emergency stop and controlled end point stopping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the interpretation parameter of the override switch operation based on the current feed rate state. When feed rate drops below the predetermined threshold, the control unit switches from immediate stop mode to end point stop mode, allowing the operation to complete the current block before stopping. This parameter-based decision-making resolves the contradiction between safety and stopping accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If single-block operation is used to confirm only unconfirmed parts, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to program stop insertion and deletion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the program check function from the program code itself, eliminating the need to insert or delete program stops. The control unit identifies and executes only the blocks requiring confirmation by monitoring override switch operations during continuous execution, separating the check function from the program structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The override switch serves as an intermediary between the operator and the program execution flow. By monitoring the state and operations of this intermediary device, the control unit determines which blocks to execute and when to pause for confirmation, eliminating the need for program modifications while enabling selective checking.
Data Source
AI summary
A numerical controller of the present invention is provided with an override input unit configured to accept an operation for an override value by an operator, an override monitoring unit configured to detect the operation for the override value by the override input unit and output a notification based on the detected operation, and an execution block control unit configured to control suspension and resumption of run based on the notification output from the override monitoring unit. The override monitoring unit outputs a notification of an end-point stop request if a first operation pattern is detected from the override input unit during the run, and the execution block control unit performs control for suspending the run at the end point of a currently running block of a machining program on receiving the notification of the end-point stop request.