Abstract:
A coordinative operation system for a CNC (computerized numeric controller) used for a transfer line or the like. Each CNC (10, 20) comprises a CNC control section (11, 21), a switch circuit (12, 22) for switching input/output signals, a RAM (13, 23) connected to the switch circuit (12, 22) and used for storing the input/output signals, and a PMC (programmable machine controller) (16, 26) connected to the RAM (13, 23), and a serial tranfer control circuit (15, 25) which are connected to the RAMs (13, 23) and transfer the input/output signals with other CNCs. The PMC (16) is designed so that it can receive the input/output signals of other CNC (20) by the serial transfer control circuit (15) or can transmit them. The CNCs (10, 20) can input/output their input/output signals through the circuits (15, 25), respectively. Accordingly, the signal transfer speed is high and a high speed coordinative operation is possible. The PMC (16) can receive directly the input/output signals of the other CNC (20) through the circuit (15, 25) and complicated control is possible.
Abstract:
Une pluralite d'unites de commandes numeriques standard (10a, 10b) equipees de processeurs (11a, 11b), sont capables d'executer des traitements de donnees par les fonctions de commande des processeurs. L'unite de commande numerique standard respective est pourvue d'un circuit d'accouplement (14a, 14b, respectivement), qui fonctionne comme un circuit d'interface pour l'echange de donnees avec les autres unites de commandes numeriques standard, de sorte qu'une unite standard de commandes numeriques (10a) utilisee comme unite maitresse est couplee a une autre unite standard de commandes numeriques (10b) utilisee comme une unite asservie par l'intermediaire des circuits d'accouplement (14a, 14b). Ainsi, une machine outil est maintenue sous commande numerique executee par toutes les unites standard de commandes numeriques (10a, 10b), lesquelles sont entierement commandees par l'unite maitresse (10a).
Abstract:
An apparatus and method are provided for integrating an intelligent manufacturing system with an expert sheet metal planning and bending system. The intelligent manufacturing system manages and distributes part design and manufacturing information throughout the locations of a production facility. The expert planning system includes a plurality of expert modules for proposing a bending plan, including bend sequence and tooling selections, and robot motion planning and repositioning. Through the various features and aspects of the present invention, an operator can selectively modify and adapt these integrated systems for particular bend applications, including robot-based and human assisted bending operations.
Abstract:
A management system in which centralized control of a plurality of numerical controllers is performed by one information processor, such as a personal computer, having software for communication with a plurality of numerical controllers. The function of communication allows the transfer of numerical information such as NC programs, PMC data and coordinate data from numerical controllers to the information processor as well as the transfer of modified programs and various data from the information processor to the numerical controllers, so that the machining programs of a plurality of numerical controllers and various data are concentrically managed by one information processor.
Abstract:
A main central processing unit (CPU) and a plurality of CNC units each corresponding to each of machine tools are connected to each other through a bus line, and the main CPU is connected to an external storage device and an external input device. To change the operational control of a machine tool and the processing data for a workpiece, a new system program is downloaded to a CPU for a CNC unit from the external storage device through the RAM of the main CPU, and normally, a PERT program including the processing data stored in the CPU for the CNC unit is changed.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method is provided for managing and distributing design and manufacturing information throughout a factory in order to facilitate the production of components, such as bent sheet metal components. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the management and distribution of critical design and manufacturing information is achieved by storing and distributing the design and manufacturing information associated with each job. By replacing the traditional paper job set-up or work sheet with, for example, an electronically stored job sheet that can be accessed instantaneously from any location in the factory, the present invention improves the overall efficiency of the factory. In addition, through the various aspects and features of the invention, the organization and accessibility of part information and stored expert knowledge is improved.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method is provided for managing and distributing design and manufacturing information throughout a factory in order to facilitate the production of components, such as bent sheet metal components. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the management and distribution of critical design and manufacturing information is achieved by storing and distributing the design and manufacturing information associated with each job. By replacing the traditional paper job set-up or work sheet with, for example, an electronically stored job sheet that can be accessed instantaneously from any location in the factory, the present invention improves the overall efficiency of the factory. In addition, through the various aspects and features of the invention, the organization and accessibility of part information and stored expert knowledge is improved.
Abstract:
A main CPU unit is connected through a but to a plurality of CNC units which correspond to machine tools. The main CPU unit is also connected to an external storage and to an input device. When operation control of the machine tools and machining data of works are changed, a new system program is down-loaded to CPU for the CNC units from the external storage through RAM of the main CPU unit to modify a part program, containing machining data, which is usually stored in the CPU for the CNC units.
Abstract:
In the controller of a machining center in accordance with the present invention, a plurality of heads or cutters are connected to control shafts of a plurality of control systems, respectively, and are controlled independently by individual programs. The controller includes instruction means for giving a stand-by instruction or stand-by release instruction to the control systems in synchronism with one another and timing setting means for setting a timing of a stand-by instruction or a stand-by release instruction for which synchronization is established between the systems by the instruction means so that a timing of stand-by or stand-by release set for the program of one particular system determines a timing of stand-by control by the program of another particular system. Accordingly, a stand-by system and a system to be released from a stand-by state can be designated arbitrarily and control of a machine tool can be made efficiently.
Abstract:
A method of optimizing the operation of an articulated industrial robot (10) having many moving parts (14, 16, 18, 20) that are articulated together. When programmed control is employed to drive the moving parts by their corresponding motors to move an end effector (22) from one position to another position, the speed condition and time constant during the operation of the moving parts (14 to 20) are not maintained constant but are allowed to vary by taking the torque interference into consideration. The optimum speed condition and time constant are calculated by a robot control unit (30), and the operation instruction is issued to the drive motor system of each of the moving parts (14 to 20) based upon the calculated values.