Control Program Generation With Parallel Actuator Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated manufacturing machines take a long time to complete operations due to wait times caused by actuators with longer action times, leading to inefficiencies in the control program generated from YOGO charts.
Innovation Solution
The control program generation apparatus introduces parallel processing portions in the action chart, allowing actuators with shorter action times to start before those with longer times have completed, by dividing the operation period into parallel subperiods, thus reducing overall operation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If actuators are made to act in order of subperiods as per traditional YOGO chart control, then the control program is simple and easy to generate, but the overall operation time becomes long due to wait times
Solution Approach 1:
The operation period is divided into multiple subperiods, and within each subperiod, multiple actuators are further segmented into parallel execution groups. This segmentation allows the control program to identify which actuators can execute simultaneously rather than sequentially, reducing overall operation time while maintaining manageable control structure through systematic division of the control timeline.
Solution Approach 2:
The control program dynamically adjusts the execution order of actuators based on their individual action times. By calculating the duration of each actuator's action and comparing it with others in the same subperiod, the system dynamically determines which actuators can run in parallel and which must wait, optimizing the control schedule to minimize total operation time while adapting to varying actuator performance characteristics.
2Productivity
If actuators with longer action times are executed first in each subperiod, then subsequent actuators can wait, but the total operation time is extended due to idle waiting periods
Solution Approach 1:
The control program performs preliminary calculation of each actuator's action time before execution, and based on these pre-calculated values, it arranges actuators with shorter action times to start first within each subperiod. This preliminary planning allows actuators with longer action times to begin their execution as soon as their predecessors complete, eliminating idle wait time and ensuring continuous operation without sacrificing coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A control program is automatically generated to allow a shorter overall operation time of an automated manufacturing machine. An action chart includes subperiods assigned with element actions of actuators to describe the operation of the automated manufacturing machine. Program elements for the element actions are combined in an order of the subperiods to generate the control program. The action chart includes a parallel processing portion including subperiods and their parallel subperiods. Each parallel subperiod in the parallel processing portion is assigned with an element action of a predetermined selected actuator. Each subperiod in the parallel processing portion is assigned with an element action of another actuator. In the parallel processing portion, the control program is generated by combining, in an order of the parallel subperiods, the program elements for the parallel subperiods and combining, in an order of the subperiods, the program elements for the subperiods.