Probe Direction Guidance for Machine Tool Workpiece Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial machines, accurately determining the movement direction of a probe for workpiece measurement is challenging due to the invisible nature of the machine coordinate system, leading to potential incorrect movements unless the direction is input correctly.
Innovation Solution
A control device and measurement system that includes a manual operation unit, movement history recording unit, measurement program creation unit, and movement direction presentation unit to estimate and present candidate movement directions based on the probe's movement history, facilitating correct input and reducing errors in probe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the coordinate system is kept invisible to maintain system simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users cannot visually recognize the movement direction of the probe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual indicator system that mediates between the invisible coordinate system and the user. The indicator displays the current movement direction of the probe along with axis names and signs, allowing users to recognize the movement direction without changing the fundamental invisible nature of the coordinate system. This resolves the contradiction by providing visual assistance while maintaining system simplicity.
2Productivity
If automatic measurement program is used to improve productivity, then productivity increases, but reliability deteriorates because the probe may move in unexpected directions unless movement direction is input correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system displays the estimated movement direction to the user before execution. This allows the user to verify whether the probe will move in the expected direction, providing a chance to correct potential errors. The feedback loop enhances reliability by enabling user verification while maintaining the efficiency of automatic measurement programs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary estimation of the movement direction based on the measurement program and presents it to the user before actual execution. This preliminary action allows potential errors to be detected and corrected in advance, preventing incorrect probe movements during the measurement process.
3Ease of operation
If manual probe operation is used to improve ease of operation, then ease of operation improves, but productivity deteriorates due to the time required for users to understand and input movement directions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary estimation of the movement direction based on the measurement program and the current probe position before the user needs to input anything. By pre-calculating and displaying the expected movement direction, the system reduces the cognitive load on the user and speeds up the coordinate system setup process, thereby improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A user manually operates the probe of a machine tool to move toward a workpiece. A movement history of the user's manual operation is recorded. The positional relationship between a workpiece and the probe is estimated based on the history of movement of the probe by the manual operation. The controller presents a candidate for the direction of the probe to be moved in the automatic measurement of the workpiece. The user inputs the movement direction of the probe with reference to content of the presentation.