Numerical Controller Automatic Storage Destination Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators face challenges in ensuring that machining programs are stored in appropriate storage destinations for high-speed readout, as existing methods require manual judgment and can lead to errors due to the need for switching between high-speed and low-speed storage units based on program content, which is not accurately determined by file size or extension.

Innovation Solution

A numerical controller with a program analyzing portion that determines the need for high-speed readout by analyzing machining programs for high-speed operation instructions, subprogram calls, and repetition, and automatically stores programs in high-speed or low-speed storage units based on this analysis, updating management information for future reference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the operator manually determines and sets the storage location based on checking program contents, then high-speed performance can be achieved, but the operation becomes burdensome and errors may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of storage destination selectionVSAvoidoperator workload

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The numerical controller automatically analyzes machining program contents and determines the appropriate storage destination without operator intervention. The program analyzing portion extracts high-speed operation instructions, subprogram calls, and repetition information to autonomously decide whether to store in nonvolatile memory or external storage unit, eliminating manual checking and setting operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of operator judgment and switching is replaced by an automated information processing system. The program analyzing portion uses computational methods to examine program contents, identify high-speed requirements, and automatically select storage destinations, substituting human cognitive and manual operations with automated analysis and control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the technique of collectively treating multiple devices as one storage unit is used, then operator burden is reduced, but there is a possibility that high-speed required programs are stored in low-speed external storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage management simplicityVSAvoidprogram readout speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of treating all storage uniformly, the system assigns different storage destinations based on local requirements of each program. Programs requiring high-speed execution are automatically directed to nonvolatile memory with faster readout, while other programs use external storage units, creating localized optimization for each program's specific needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The storage allocation is dynamic rather than static. The program analyzing portion continuously evaluates program contents and adjusts storage destination selection based on actual high-speed requirements identified through analysis of operation instructions, subprogram calls, and repetition patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Extent of automation

If storage destination is determined by file extension or size, then automatic storage is achieved, but machining programs cannot be accurately evaluated for high-speed readout requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic storage destination determinationVSAvoidaccuracy of high-speed requirement detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inadequate method of determining storage by file extension or size is replaced by automated analysis of actual program contents. The program analyzing portion uses information processing to examine high-speed operation instructions, subprogram calls, and repetition information, accurately detecting true high-speed requirements rather than relying on superficial file attributes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary analysis layer is introduced between program input and storage destination selection. The program analyzing portion acts as a mediator that processes program contents, extracts high-speed requirements, and provides informed input to the program managing portion for accurate storage destination determination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10437230B2Numerical controller having function of automatically selecting storage destination of machining program

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 FANUC LTD

AI summary

A numerical controller performs analysis as to whether or not an input machining program is required to be read at high speed at the time of execution of the machining program, stores the machining program in any one of a storage unit which reads a program at high speed and a storage unit which reads a program at low speed in accordance with the analysis result, and updates information on a storage destination of the machining program. In this way, the storage destination of the input machining program can be automatically selected in accordance with the contents of the machining program.