Robot Program Selection for Flexible Machine Tool Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing numerical control systems face challenges in flexibly linking the operation of machine tools and robots, requiring additional commands, I/O signals, and peripheral equipment like PLCs, which complicates integration and limits adaptability in actual machining sites.
Innovation Solution
A robot control device and numerical control system that includes a storage unit, state acquisition unit, analysis unit, and program selection activation unit to easily link the operation of a manipulation target and a robot system, using a robot control device with a storage unit that stores programs for every operation, a state acquisition unit to acquire the manipulation target's state, and an analysis unit to analyze and select appropriate programs for operation control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional commands, I/O signals, and PLC equipment are added to link machine tool and robot operations, then the functional integration between machine tool and robot is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the machine tool control device and robot control device into a single integrated control system. The control device includes both a machine tool control unit and a robot control unit that can selectively execute either machine tool operations or robot operations based on the same operation program, eliminating the need for separate control systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both machine tool operations and robot operations using the same control unit and operation program. The control unit can selectively switch between controlling the machine tool or the robot based on the operation type, making a single device capable of multiple functions without requiring additional specialized equipment
2Adaptability or versatility
If I/O signals are sent through a ladder circuit of the numerical control device, then the machine tool and robot can be linked, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need to edit existing ladder circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically determines whether to execute machine tool operations or robot operations based on the operation program without requiring manual intervention or circuit editing. The system self-adapts to the required operation type by selectively activating the appropriate control unit (machine tool control or robot control) based on the program instructions, eliminating the need for users to edit ladder circuits or configure complex signal routing
3Adaptability or versatility
If a robot is installed later to perform manipulation operations on an existing machine tool, then the operational flexibility is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to the need to connect existing numerical control device with new robot control device
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is segmented into distinct functional units within a single integrated system: a machine tool control unit and a robot control unit. This segmentation allows the control device to independently manage different operation types while maintaining a unified control architecture, making it easier to integrate with existing equipment as the segmented units can be selectively activated based on the operation program without requiring complex interconnections between separate control systems
Data Source
AI summary
A numerical control system 1 comprises a robot control device 6 that controls an action of a robot 30, and a numerical control device 5 that is communicably connected to the robot control device 6, and controls an action of a machine tool 2. The robot control device 6 comprises: a storage unit 61 that stores a plurality of robot programs determined for each operating action with respect to a target of an operation, the target of the operation being the machine tool 2 and the numerical control device 5; a data transmission and reception unit 69 that acquires a state of the target of the operation; a program selection and activation unit 63 that, among the plurality of programs stored in the storage unit 61, selects and activates a program according to an analysis result: and an action control unit 64 that controls the action of the robot 30 on the basis of the activated robot program.