EP0177164A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for producing numerical control programmes
Assignee: Milacron Inc
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Filing: 1985-08-27
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method are provided for creating and revising programmes for numerically controlled machines. First, generalised data block signals are produced, the generalised data block signals representing alphanumeric words defining block types, workpiece material types, work surfaces, workpiece features and machining operations. Then, machine control instruction block signals are produced in response to the generalised data block signals, the machine control instruction block signals represent alphanumeric words defining machine member motion in the form and format required by a particular numerical control. The generalised data programme may be created by a machine operator using data obtained from the workpiece design data. Generalised data programme creation and revision is accomplished without regard for the data requirements and limitations of a particular machine and control combination by which the workpiece is to be processed.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Fraker Broome
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:12
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/4097; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/35; G05B2219/35261; G05B2219/35263; G05B2219/35285; G05B2219/35299; G05B2219/36; G05B2219/36016; G05B2219/36124; G05B2219/36177; G05B2219/36273; G05B2219/36283; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
I. A method for creating and revising programmes for a numerically controlled machine, the numerically controlled machine having movable members responding to control signals produced by a numerical control in response to machine control instruction blocks, the machine and control effecting relative motion between a workpiece and tool to perform machining operations on the workpiece, the method comprising the steps of: a) producing generalised data block signals representing sets of alphanumerical words, each generalised data block having one block type word and at least one data word defining a value associated with the block type, the generalised data block selectably describing a workpiece material, a workpiece surface, workpiece features, and machining operations; and b) producing machine control instruction block signals in response to the generalised data block signals, the machine control instruction block signals representing sets of alphanumeric words describing machine member motion, the machine control instruction block signals conforming to the form and format required by the machine control.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
78 words
The method of Claim I wherein the step of producing machine control instruction block signals further comprises the steps of: a) storing cycle signals representing cycle statements and variable machine control instruction blocks, each cycle being associated with a selected generalised data block type and defining a sequence of steps for producing machine control instruction block signals; and b) executing a cycle in response to a selected generalised data block type to produce machine control instruction block signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of Claim 2 wherein the cycle statements include comparative and arithmetic expressions relating variables and the step of executing cycles further comprises the steps of: a) producing variable value signals in response to the comparative and arithmetic operation cycle statements; and b) substituting the variable value signals in the variable machine control instruction blocks to produce the machine control instruction block signals.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of Claim I wherein producing generalised data block signals further comprises the steps of: a) identifying a workpiece material type; b) specifying work surface location data defining the location of a work surface upon which machining operations are performed; c) specifying work surface feature data defining characteristics of a feature to be machined in the work surface; and d) specifying machining operation data defining machining operations associated with a specified feature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
The method of Claim 4 wherein the step of producing machine control instruction block signals further comprises the steps of: a) storing generalised data block verification data signals representing verification data for selected words of the generalised data blocks; b) comparing generalised data block signals representing alphanumeric words of the generalised data block with generalised data block verification signals; c) producing an error signal in response to detecting the absence of words required for the generalised data block type; and d) producing an error signal in response to detecting values of alphanumeric words of the generalised data block beyond limits defined by the generalised data block verification signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of Claim 5 wherein the step of producing machine control instruction block signals further comprises the steps of: a) storing material data signals representing spindle speeds, feed rates, and coolant control data associated with selected machining operations in selected workpiece materials; and b) producing the required machine control instruction block values for spindle speeds, feed rates, and coolant control in response to the material data signals and theselected workpiece material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of Claim 6 wherein the step of producing machine control instruction block signals further comprises the steps of: a) storing tool data signals representing the tool type, tool identification, tool location, tool dimensions, number of tool teeth, and flute angle; and b) producing variable value signals for a machine control instruction block word associated with tool identification in response to the tool data signals and the machining operation data of the generalised data blocks.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
187 words
A method for creating and revising programmes for a plurality of numerically controlled machines, each numerically controlled machine having movable members responding to control signals produced by a machine control in response to a programme of machine control instruction blocks, the machine and control effecting relative motion between a workpiece and a tool to perform machining operations on the workpiece, the method comprising the steps of: a) producing generalised data block signals representing sets of alphanumeric words, each generalised data block having one block type word and at least one data word defining a value associated with the block type, the generalised data block selectably describing a workpiece material, a workpiece surface, workpiece features, and machining operations; b) identifying a machine and control for which machine control instruction block signals are to be produced; and c) producing machine control instruction block signals in response to the generalised data block signals and the identified machine and control, the machine control .instruction block signals representing sets of alphanumeric words describing machine member motion, the machine control instruction blocks conforming to the form and format required by the machine control.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
The method of Claim 8 wherein the step of producing machine control instruction blocks further comprises the steps of: a) storing a plurality of sets of cycle signals, the cycle signals representing cycle statements and variable machine control instructions, each cycle being associated with a selected generalised data block type and for producing machine control instruction block signals, and each set of cycles being associated with a machine and control combination; b) selecting a set of cycle signals associated with a machine and control in response to the identification of 'the machine and control for which machine control instruction block signals are to be produced; and c) executing the selected set of cycles in response to generalised data block types to produce the machine control instruction block signals.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for creating and revising programmes for a numerically controlled machine, the numerically controlled machine having movable members responding to control signals produced by the machine control in response to a programme of machine control instruction blocks, the machine and control effecting relative motion between a workpiece and a tool to perform machining operations on the workpiece, the apparatus comprising: a) means for producing generalised data block signals representing sets of alphanumeric words, each generalised 3data block having one block type word and at least one data word defining a value associated with the block type, the generalised data blocks selectably describing a workpiece material, a work surface, workpiece features, and machining operations; and b) means for producing machine control instruction block signals in response to the generalised data block signals, the machine control instruction block signals representing sets of alphanumeric word describing machine member motion, the machine control instruction blocks conforming to the form and format required by the machine control.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus of Claim 10 wherein the means for producing machine control instruction block signals further comprises: a) means for storing cycle signals representing cycle statements and variable machine control instruction blocks, each cycle being associated with a selected generalised data block type and for producing machine control instruction block signals; and b) means responsive to the generalised data block signals and the cycle signals for producing the machine control instruction block signals.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
85 words
The apparatus of Claim II wherein the cycle statements include comparative and arithmetic expressions relating variables and the means for producing machine control instruction block signals further comprises: a) means responsive to the comparative and arithmetic expressions of the cycle statements for producing variable value signals representing values of variables associated with the words of the variable machine control instruction blocks; and b) means responsive to the variable value signals and the variable machine control instruction blocks for producing the machine control instruction block signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of Claim 10 wherein the means for producing generalised data block signals further comprises: a) means for displaying graphic representations associated with selected block types, the graphic representations including identifying characters of words of the generalised data block; b) means for selecting a generalised data block word identification; and c) means responsive to the selected word for producing generalised data block signals representing an alphanumeric word.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
101 words
The apparatus of Claim 13 wherein the means for producing machine control instruction block signals further comprises: a) means for storing generalised data block verification data signals; b) means for comparing selected alphanumeric words of the generalised data block with generalised data block verification data signals; c) means for producing an error signal in response to detecting the absence of alphanumeric words required by the generalised data block type; and d) means for producing an error signal in response to detecting a value of a generalised data block alphanumeric word beyond a limit defined by the generalised data block verification signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of Claim 14 wherein the means for producing machine control instruction block signals further comprises: a) means for storing machine parameter data signals representing machine member travel limits, spindle speed limits, and spindle power limits; b) means for comparing selected alphanumeric words of the generalised data block signals with machine parameter data signals; and c) means for producing an error signal in response to detecting an alphanumeric word of the generalised data block in excess of the limits defined by the machine parameter data signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of Claim 1.5 wherein the means for producing machine control instruction blocks further comprises: a) means for storing material data file signals representing spindle speeds, feed rates, and coolant control data associated with selected machining operations in selected material types; and b) means responsive to the generalised data block signals and the material data file signals for selecting spindle speeds, feed rates, and coolant control data for a selected machining operation in a selected material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of Claim 16 wherein the means for producing machine control instruction block signals further comprises: a) means for storing tool data signals representing the location, identification, type and dimensions of tools available on a machine; and b) means responsive to the generalised data block signals and the tool data signals for selecting an available tool for a selected machining operation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of Claim 17 further comprising; a) means for receiving tool data signals from the machine control; and b) means for receiving machine parameter data signals from the machine control.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of Claim 18 further comprising means for transmitting machine control instruction block signals to the machine control.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus for creating and revising programmes for a plurality of numerically controlled machines, each numerically controlled machine having movable members responding to control signals produced by a machine control in response to a programme machine control instruction blocks, the machine and control effecting relative motion between a workpiece and a tool to perform machining operations on the workpiece, the apparatus comprising: a) means for producing generalised data block signals representing sets of alphanumeric words, each generalised data block having one block type word and at least one data word defining a value associated with a block type, the generalised data block selectably describing a workpiece material, a workpiece surface, workpiece features, and machining operations; b) means for identifying a machine and control for which machine control instruction block signals are to be produced; and c) means responsive to the machine and control identifying means and the generalised data block signals for producing machine control instruction block signals, the machine control instruction block signals representing sets of alphanumeric words describing machine member motion, the machine control instruction block conforming to the form and format required by the machine control.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
119 words
The apparatus of Claim 20 wherein the means for producing machine control instruction block signals further comprises: a) means for storing a plurality of sets of cycle signals,' the cycle signals representing cycle statements and variable machine control instruction block, each cycle being associated with a selected generalised data block type and defining a sequence of steps for producing machine control instruction block signals and each set of cycles being associated with a machine control combination; b) means responsive to the identification of the machine and control for selecting a set of cycle signals; and c) means responsive to the generalised data block signals and the selected set of cycle signals for producing the machine control instruction block signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
102 words
The apparatus of Claim 21 further comprising: a) means responsive to the identification of a machine and control for receiving from the selected control tool data signals representing the identification, type, dimensions, and locations of tools available on the selected machine; b) means responsive to the identification of a machine and control for receiving from the selected control machine parameter data signals representing machine member travel limits, spindle speed limits, and spindle power limits of the selected machine; and c) means responsive to the identification of a machine and control for transmitting machine control instruction block signals to the selected machine control.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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