Numerical Controller Path Verification After Condition Change

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing numerical controllers fail to effectively check and notify operators of changes in machining programs or conditions during actual machining, leading to potential wrong machining or tool breakage.

Innovation Solution

A numerical controller that analyzes and compares block end point coordinate values before and after changes, outputting an alarm or warning if differences exceed specified ranges, ensuring correct restart of automatic operation after changes in machining programs or conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If check drawing is performed once just before actual machining, then the initial machining path can be verified, but the system cannot detect changes in machining path when machining conditions are changed during actual machining

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining accuracyVSAvoidresponse to machining condition changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary comparison of block end point coordinate values before allowing machining to proceed. When machining conditions are changed, the system proactively compares the new coordinate values with the original ones and issues warnings before wrong machining occurs, rather than waiting for the problem to manifest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors machining conditions and compares block end point coordinate values. When changes are detected, the system provides immediate feedback through alarm signals or messages to the operator, enabling real-time detection of machining path changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If machining conditions are changed during actual machining to improve adaptability, then the machining process can be adjusted, but the risk of wrong machining increases without proper verification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining condition adjustmentVSAvoidmachining accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides immediate feedback when machining conditions are changed by comparing block end point coordinate values. If the comparison reveals changes beyond a predetermined threshold, the system issues alarm signals or messages to notify the operator, ensuring that adaptive changes do not compromise machining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by preventing wrong machining through proactive comparison and warning. Before incorrect machining can occur due to condition changes, the system detects the coordinate value changes and issues warnings to counteract the potential harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If block end point coordinate values are compared after every change to ensure accuracy, then machining reliability is improved, but processing time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by comparing only the critical block end point coordinate values rather than performing a complete verification of all machining parameters. This selective comparison approach ensures machining accuracy while minimizing the time required for verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Reliability

If comprehensive monitoring of machining path changes is implemented to prevent wrong machining, then machining safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining safetyVSAvoidcontroller complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential information needed for safety monitoring - the block end point coordinate values - and performs comparison based on these extracted key parameters. This approach provides comprehensive monitoring of machining path changes without requiring complex analysis of all machining parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2908199B1Numerical controller capable of preventing wrong machining after machining condition change
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 FANUC LTD
  • EP2908199B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2908199B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3
  • EP2908199B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

In restarting automatic operation after a machining program or machining conditions are changed or manual intervention is performed while the automatic operation is suspended, a machining path based on simulated operation is drawn to check the change for correctness. A drawing path of an unmachined part is reconstructed by, for example, recalculating a check drawing path at or behind a program stop position, and the reconstructed drawing path is redrawn.