Numerical Controller Power Outage Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing numerical controllers for machine tools fail to safely and precisely avoid mechanical collisions between the movable unit and interfering structures during power outages, leading to potential damage and waste due to uniform retracting methods and complex machining programs.
Innovation Solution
A numerical controller with a shape data storage unit, retracting direction determining unit, interference determining unit, and power outage detecting unit that calculates a retracting position based on shape data and energy changes to avoid collisions by determining optimal retracting directions and amounts, ensuring safe and precise movement of the movable unit during power outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the tool is retracted in a uniform direction and amount during power outage, then the control logic is simple, but the movable unit may collide with interfering structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the retracting direction and amount variable rather than uniform. The control unit dynamically determines the optimal retracting direction and amount based on real-time position information and shape data of the movable unit and interfering structures, allowing the system to adapt to different situations and avoid collisions while maintaining manageable control complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of retracting direction and retracting amount from fixed uniform values to variable values determined by the control unit. By calculating the optimal retracting direction and amount based on position information and shape data, the system transforms the retracting operation from a simple uniform movement to a controlled parameter-adjusted movement that avoids interfering structures.
2Reliability
If the retracting direction and amount are specified in the machining program, then collision avoidance can be optimized, but the machining program becomes complex and requires changes when tool or coordinates are changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the control unit to automatically determine the optimal retracting direction and amount using stored shape data and real-time position information. This eliminates the need for operators to manually specify complex retracting parameters in the machining program, and the system automatically adapts when tools or coordinates are changed without requiring program modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal solution by storing shape data of various interfering structures in advance and using the control unit to automatically select appropriate retracting parameters based on the current situation. This multi-functional approach allows the same control system to handle different tools, coordinates, and interfering structures without requiring separate programming for each case.
3Ease of operation
If the tool is retracted by a fixed amount in a uniform direction, then the retracting operation is simple, but it may not be sufficient to avoid collisions with interfering structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing the shape data of interfering structures in advance before the power outage occurs. When a power outage happens, the control unit can immediately use this pre-stored information along with real-time position data to determine the optimal retracting direction and amount, maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring effective collision avoidance through pre-prepared geometric information.
Data Source
AI summary
A numerical controller having a function-generating unit which executes function generation for shaft movement according to a machining program is provided, the numerical controller further comprising a unit which stores shape data of the movable unit and shape data of an interfering structure; a retracting direction determining unit which determines a retracting direction; an interference checking position calculating unit which successively calculates, as an interference checking position, a position in which a desired distance is added to the current position of the movable unit according to the determined retracting direction; an interference confirming unit which confirms presence or absence of interference between the shape data of the movable unit and the shape data of the interfering structure by virtually moving the shape data of the movable unit; and a power outage detecting unit which sends a power outage signal to a DC power supply unit and the function-generating unit during power outage, wherein the function-generating unit executes function generation according to a result of the interference confirming unit.