Transputer CNC processor

Claim 2

A processor for a computerized numerical controller (CNC) to provide motion planning and interpolation in which said CNC reads a part program describing actions to be performed by a controlled machine tool, comprising: a first transputer element programmed to create convert processes for operation on data read from said part program, to create at least one convert data buffer (CDB), to convert said data to fixed format binary data, and to store said converted data in said created CDB, said first transputer element thereafter transmitting said CDB stored converted data; a second transputer element connected to said first transputer element and programmed to receive said CDB stored converted from said first transputer element, to operate on said converted data from said CDB to precalculate motion control data therefrom, to create at least one precalculated data buffer (PCB), and to store said precalculated data in said PCB, said second transputer element thereafter transmitting said PCB stored precalculated data; a third transputer element connected to said second transputer element and programmed to receive said PCB stored data from said second transputer element, to interpolate said precalculated data to provide a real time interpolated point stream defining a desired motion trajectory; and an output bus connected to an output of said third transputer element for outputting said point stream.

Claim 3

In a computerized numerical controller system having a part program, an input device, a processor for motion planning and interpolation, machine tool servo drives, a machine tool, and sensor controls and operator controls, the improvement in said processor comprising: a) a first transputer element having a convert program i) to create convert processes for operation on program data read from said part program, ii) to start and continuously loop said convert processes, iii) to create at least one convert data buffer (CDB), iv) to convert said program data to fixed format binary data, v) to store said converted data messages in said created CDB, and vi) to transmit said CDB stored converted data messages: b) a second transputer element connected to an output of said first transputer element, and having a precalculate program i) to create a receive process for receiving said CDB stored converted data message from said first transputer element CDB, ii) to precalculate motion control data from said converted data message, iii) to create at least one precalculated data buffer (PCB), iv) to store said precalculated motion control data in said PCB, and v) transmitting said PCB stored precalculated motion control data; c) a third transputer element connected to an output of said second transputer element, and having an interpolation program i) to create a receive process for receiving said PCB stored motion control data from said second transputer element, ii) to interpolate said precalculated data to provide a real time interpolated point stream defining a desired motion trajectory, and iii) to create an output bus for outputting said point stream.

Claim 4

In a computerized numerical controller system having a part program, an input device, a processor for motion planning and interpolation, machine tool servo drives, a machine tool, and sensor controls and operator controls, the improvement in said processor comprising: a) a first transputer element having a convert program i) to create convert processes for operation on program data read from said part program, ii) to start and continuously loop said convert processes, iii) to create at least one convert data buffer (CDB), iv) to convert said program data to fixed format binary data, v) to store said converted data messages in said created CDB, and vi) to transmit said CDB stored converted data messages: b) a second transputer element connected to an output of said first transputer element, and having a precalculate program i) to create a receive process for receiving said CDB stored converted data message from said first transputer element CDB, ii) to precalculate motion control data from said converted data message, iii) to create at least one precalculated data buffer (PCB), iv) to store said precalculated motion control data in said PCB, and v) transmitting said PCB stored precalculated motion control data; c) a third transputer element connected to an output of said second transputer element, and having an interpolation program i) to create a receive process for receiving said PCB stored motion control data from said second transputer element, ii) to interpolate said precalculated data to provide a real time interpolated point stream defining a desired motion trajectory, and iii) to create an output bus for outputting said point stream.

Claim 5

The improvement as defined in claim 2 in which each of said transputer elements further includes a manual input channel for receiving manual control data.

Claim 6

The improvement as defined in claim 2 in which said improvement further includes a fourth transputer element having an input for manual control data, and outputs to said manual input channels of said first, second and third transputer elements for receiving manual control data.

Claim 7

The improvement as defined in claim 2 in which said improvement further includes an input channel for initial loading of the respective programs of said first, second, and third transputer elements.

Claim 8

The improvement as defined in claim 2 which further includes: a fifth transputer element having a program for adaptive control of transputer elements; and said second and third transputer elements include inputs from said fifth transputer element for real time modification of interpolation and motion planning processes.