Numerical Controller Wait Management Table for Multi-Path Flexibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing numerical controllers require designating a wait counterpart path in advance, making it difficult to change wait targets and increasing complexity when dealing with multiple machining programs.

Innovation Solution

A numerical controller with a wait management table that stores wait information for each machining program, allowing for dynamic wait control without pre-designating wait paths, enabling flexible wait target changes and easier program creation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wait counterpart path is designated in advance by code Pp in machining programs, then the wait control can be executed based on the designated path, but it becomes difficult to change wait targets and increases program complexity when the number of paths increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility to change wait targetsVSAvoidcomplexity of machining programs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wait management function into a separate wait management table that is independent of the machining programs. The wait management table stores wait target information separately, allowing the machining programs to remain simple while the wait control logic is handled by the numerical control device through the decoder that references the wait management table. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by removing wait target designation complexity from the programs while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wait management table acts as an intermediary between the machining programs and the wait control execution. Instead of directly designating wait targets in the programs, the system uses the wait management table as a mediator that stores and manages wait target information. The decoder references this intermediary table to determine wait targets, enabling flexible changes without program modification while keeping the program structure simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If all machining programs including common wait M-code are corrected to change a wait target, then the wait target can be changed, but all programs need to be modified which increases work量和 time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to change wait targetsVSAvoidtime for program correction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing wait target information in the wait management table before execution. The wait management table is prepared in advance with the correct wait targets, so when wait control is needed, the decoder can directly reference this pre-prepared information without requiring program modification. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming program corrections when changing wait targets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of modifying the original machining programs to change wait targets, the system creates a separate copy of the wait target information in the wait management table. This copying approach allows wait targets to be changed by modifying only the wait management table while the original programs remain unchanged, significantly reducing the time and effort required for adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If the number of paths increases, then more machining programs can be controlled, but it becomes difficult to create machining programs with proper wait instructions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of paths controlledVSAvoidease of creating machining programs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wait management table serves as a universal mechanism that works for any number of paths. Instead of creating path-specific wait instructions in each program, the system uses a single wait management table that can manage wait targets for multiple paths universally. The decoder automatically references this table regardless of the number of paths, making program creation easier while supporting increased productivity through multi-path control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10261498B2Numerical controller

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 FANUC LTD

AI summary

Provided is a numerical controller including a wait management table that stores wait management information of each machining program, a wait controller that performs wait control of each axis based on the wait management information with respect to an axis controller that controls each axis of each path, and a management unit that updates the wait management information of each machining program stored in the wait management table.