Shared-Variable CNC and Robot Control for Flexible Interlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing numerical control systems require additional I/O signals, external devices, and edits to the ladder circuit to interlock machine tools and robots, limiting flexibility in machining operations.
Innovation Solution
A numerical control system with a first controller for the machine tool and a second controller for the robot, both sharing a storage device for variable values, enabling interlocking operations without additional I/O signals or external devices by using readable and writable variables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional I/O signals and external devices are added to interlock machine tool and robot controllers, then the interlocking capability is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the interlocking functionality into the existing FANUC control system by utilizing macro variables that are accessible to both machine tool and robot controllers. This eliminates the need for separate external devices like PLCs and reduces system complexity while maintaining interlocking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The macro variables serve multiple functions: they store machining parameters for the machine tool controller and simultaneously act as communication signals for the robot controller. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated I/O signals and external interlocking devices.
2Ease of operation
If I/O signals are transmitted via ladder circuit of numerical control device, then the robot controller can receive signals, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to required ladder circuit editing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical ladder circuit system with a software-based macro variable system. Instead of physically configuring and editing ladder circuits, users can easily modify interlocking logic by changing macro variable assignments in the control program, significantly improving ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If separate numerical control device and robot controller are used, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to need to operate both devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces macro variables as an intermediary communication mechanism between the machine tool controller and robot controller. These variables enable automatic information exchange and coordinated operation, allowing the system to function as an integrated automated unit while preserving the specialized capabilities of each controller.
Data Source
AI summary
A numerical control system 1 is provided with: a numerical control device 5 including a machine tool control module 50; a robot controller 6 including a robot control module 60 for controlling the movement of a robot 3; and a variable storage unit 58 for storing the values of a plurality of variables that can be read and written by both modules 50, 60. The machine tool control module 50 reads the value of a second variable stored in a second storage area 582 of the variable storage unit 58, controls the movement of a machine tool 2 on the basis of the value that has been read, and rewrites the value of a first variable stored in a first storage area 581, and the robot control module 60 reads the value of the first variable, controls the movement of the robot 3 on the basis of the value of the first variable that has been read, and rewrites the value of the second variable.