NUMERICAL CONTROL SYSTEM

Abstract: A numerical control system equipped with a man-­ machine interface controller (MMC equipment) constructed in the form of a computer. The system comprises an NC unit (11), a programmable machine controller (13) which executes the sequence control relying upon the signals from the NC unit (11) and a machine tool (12), a man-machine interface controller (14) which is equipped at least with a CRT (14d) and a keyboard (14e) and which is constructed in the form of a computer, and a data transmission-reception control unit (15). The data are transmitted and received among the NC unit (11), the programmable machine controller (13) and the man-machine interface controller (14) while they are con­ trolled by the data transmission-reception control unit (15).

Description: This invention relates to a numerical control system and, more particularly, to a numerical control system equipped with a man-machine interface including a CRT and a keyboard. In a numerical control system, a programmable machine controller (referred to as a "PMC unit") executes predetermined sequence control on the basis of a command from a numerical control unit (NC unit), whereby the various elements of a machine tool operate based on the results of sequence processing. The NC unit waits for the completion of machine element operation before executing the next numerical control operation. NC program data is obtained from an NC tape or memory or is inputted from a manual data input unit equipped with a CRT (which unit is referred to as a CRT/MDI unit). In addition to having a function which allows NC data to be inputted manually, the CRT/MDI unit is adapted to display various pictures on the CRT screen, these including e.g. machine present position, program contents, offset quantities, parameters, the contents of alarms, setting data and the like, and to set, modify or reset various data by prescribed manipulation of keys on the keyboard. Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional numerical control system. Numeral 101 denotes an NC tape (or other medium) in which NC data are punched, 102 a tape reader, 103 a RAM for storing NC data and the results of processing, 104 a ROM storing a control program, 105 a processor, 106 an axis controller for executing pulse distribution calculations and the like upon receiving inputs of traveling distances along respective axes per predetermined periods of time, 107 a CRT/MDI, 108 an interface circuit, 109 a parameter memory, and 110 an EROM (erasable ROM) storing a sequence program. The single processor 105 of this numerical control system executes all of the following processing: (1) numerical control processing based on NC program data; (2) sequence control processing based on the sequence program; and (3) data input/output processing using the CRT/MDI unit 107. For this reason, the processor is under a heavy load and is incapable of fine processing, processing with a quick response, and processing which is complicated. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 5, a numerical control system (not prior art) has been proposed in which the NC unit, PMC unit and CRT/MDI unit are separated from one another, a common memory is provided and various control operations are performed by an exchange of data among these units via the common memory. In Fig. 5, numeral 1 denotes the NC unit, 2 the machine tool, 3 a PMC unit, 4 a CRT/MDI unit, 5 a servo unit, and 6 a data exchange controller having a common memory (RAM) 6a, bus controller 6b and serial transfer controller 6c. The NC unit 1 has a processor 1a, ROM 1b, RAM 1c, NC data input/output unit 1d and axis controller 1e. The PMC unit 3 has a processor 3a, a ROM 3b storing a sequence program and software created by the user, a RAM 3c for storing the results of sequence processing in addition to parameters and various tables, a digital signal input unit 3d, a digital signal output unit 3e, and a serial transfer controller 3f. The CRT/MDI unit 4 has a keyboard 4a, a CRT 4b, a keyboard controller 4c, a CRT controller 4d, and a serial transfer controller 4e. Fig. 6 is a view showing the concept of the numerical control system illustrated in Fig. 5, in which portions similar to those of Fig. 5 are designated by like reference characters. In accordance with this numerical control system, the NC unit 1 and PMC unit 3 are each provided with their own processors, so that the processor 1a need not execute sequence control. This makes it possible to reduce the burden on the processor. Further, the side that transmits data writes the data and commands that are to be transmitted into the common memory 6a via the bus controller 6b. The side that receives the data reads the data addressed to it out of the common memory 6a, in which these data have been written. If processing is executed in this manner, the exchange of data can be controlled at high speed. In addition, since the PMC unit 3 is provided with the processor 3a and is capable of exchanging data with the NC unit 1, control special to the maker can be performed, in addition to the conventional PMC function, by preparing the prescribed software and storing it in the ROM 3b. For example, predetermined control can be carried out upon receiving various data necessary for NC control, such as present positions along the respective axes or modal data, from the NC unit 1, or a non-volatile memory (not shown) such as a bubble memory connected to the NC unit can be utilized. The PMC unit 3 is also capable of exchanging data with the CRT/MDI unit 4 via the data exchange controller 6. The PMC unit 3 therefore can (1) read data set by the keyboard 4a, and (2) display ladder diagrams and the like on the CRT 4b. Fig. 6 illustrates, in conceptual form, the previously proposed numerical control system depicted in Fig. 5 and shows that there is a strong relationship between the CRT/MDI unit 4 and the NC unit 1 or PMC unit 3. Consequently, it is necessary to design the NC unit and PMC unit taking the functions of the CRT/MDI unit into consideration. Hence, when a display function or control function peculiar to he CRT/MDI unit is required, a new NC unit or PMC unit must be designed each time. This is undesirable. Furthermore, since the CRT/MDI unit does not possess an intelligent function, data must be processed on the side of the NC unit 1 or PMC unit 3, thereby increasing the burden on these units. The result is that a CRT/MDI unit exhibiting fine control cannot be provided. In addition, with the numerical control system of Fig. 5, there is a limitation on complicated processing, though the processing that can be executed is more complicated than with the system of Fig. 4. Specifically, automatic programming processing, full self-diagnostic processing, CRT instruction manual-type display processing and other forms of complicated processing cannot be executed. EP-A-0 141 858 by the present applicant discloses an NC system having the features of the preamble of accompanying claim 1. In this system, the data exchange controller is provided by transceivers in the NC unit and programmable machine controller, and the man-machine interface is integrated with the NC unit. EP-A-0 160 704 by the present applicant discloses an NC system combined with an application system for implementing functions such as sequence control and the man-machine interface. The two systems are linked by a data exchange interface made up of buffers and registers controlled by the respective systems. FR-A-0 2 375 646 discloses an NC system having a command unit including the man-machine interface, a tape reader and logic circuits linked by a central I/O controller. DE-A-0 3 402 706 discloses an NC system with a machine tool, robot and various controllers including a co-ordinating controller for data exchange, to which data entry and display means are connected and which includes a common RAM accessible by all the controllers. US-A-4 455 621 discloses a programmable controller in which a terminal (man-machine interface) is equipped with a peripheral processor for communicating, via a system backplane bus of the programmable controller, with various modules including a CPU module and one or more memory modules. According to the present invention, there is provided a numerical control system comprising:- an NC unit having a processor; a programmable machine controller having a processor, for executing sequence control based on signals from the NC unit and a machine tool; a man-machine interface including a CRT and a keyboard as input/output means; and a data exchange controller; data being exchanged among at least the NC unit and programmable machine controller under the control of the data exchange controller; characterised in that:- the man-machine interface is a computerized man-machine interface controller comprising a processor forming a multiprocessor system with the processors of the NC unit and programmable machine controller, and further comprising a high-speed interface controller having a built-in processor; the data exchange controller includes a bus controller and a common RAM, the bus controller being connected for bidirectional data exchange to the common RAM, to a bus of the programmable machine controller, to a bus of the NC unit, and via a high-speed interface controller to the high-speed interface controller of the man-machine interface controller; both said high-speed interface controllers having the same construction and being mutually connected for high-speed bidirectional data exchange, the data exchange controller being operable to store in the common RAM data or commands received from any one of the processors and to allow reading of the stored data or commands by either of the other processors, whereby, in use, data transmission from the NC unit or programmable machine controller to the man-machine interface controller is performed by writing data or commands in the common RAM. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a numerical control system which is easy to use, excellent in terms of human engineering and capable of diverse processing with a quick response. An embodiment of the present invention may also provide a numerical control system which enables standardisation of the NC unit and PMC unit irrespective of the functions processed by the CRT/MDI unit. By means of the present invention, processing can be dispersed to lighten the load on the processor of the NC unit. In addition, since the MMC unit is capable of program processing, multifarious, fine control can be carried out. Furthermore, since each unit can be placed in modular form and the modules combined to construct the system, the architecture of the system is facilitated. Moreover, each unit can be standardised irrespective of the functions of the other units. The processors are also capable of performing simultaneous, concurrent processing, so that system function can be greatly improved. Reference is made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 shows the concept of a numerical control system according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a numerical control system embodying the present invention; Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a man-machine controller (MMC unit) in the system of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional numerical control system; Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a proposed numerical control system (not prior art); and Fig. 6 shows the concept of the numerical control system of Fig. 5. In Fig. 1, numeral 11 denotes a computerised NC unit (CNC unit), 12 a machine tool, 13 a PMC unit, 14 a man-machine interface control (MMC unit), 15 a data exchange controller, and 16 a servo unit. The MMC unit 14 is constituted by a computer and includes a CRT 14d and a keyboard 14e. If a CRT/MDI unit is provided with an intelligent function, or in other words, if a computerized interface including a keyboard and CRT unit is prepared and the interface is provided with program processing functions, e.g. the functions possessed by the conventional CRT/MDI unit, an editing function, an automatic programming function and the like, the interface will be easy to use, excel in terms of human engineering and be capable of quick-response, diverse processing. It will also be possible to standardize the NC unit and PMC unit regardless of the CRT/MDI functions. Accordingly, in the present invention, the numerical control system is constituted by the NC unit 11, the programmable machine controller (PMC unit) for executing sequence control and the like based on signals from the NC unit or machine tool 12, the computerized man-machine interface controller (MMC unit) 14 having the CRT 14d and keyboard 14e, and the data exchange controller 15, with a data exchange being performed among the NC unit 11, PMC unit 13 and MMC unit 14 via the data exchange controller 6. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a numerical control system embodying the invention, in which numeral 11 denotes the computerized NC unit (CNC unit), 12 the machine tool, 13 the PMC unit, 14 the man-machine interface controller (MMC unit), 15 the data exchange controller, and 16 the servo unit. The NC unit 11 has a processor 11a, ROM 11b, a RAM 11c, an NC data input/output unit 11d, and an axis controller 11e. The PMC unit 13a has a processor 13a, a ROM 13b storing a sequence program and software created by the user, a RAM 13c for storing the results of sequence processing in addition to parameters and various tables, a digital signal input unit 13d and digital output unit 13e for performing an exchange of data with the machine tool 12, and a serial transfer controller 13f. The serial transfer controller 13f is composed of a buffer, parallel-serial/serial-parallel converter, transceiver and the like, none which are shown. Signals from switches 12a of the machine tool 12 are inputted to the digital signal input unit 13d in parallel fashion, and data from the digital signal output unit 13e are outputted to relays and solenoids 12b of the machine tool 12 in parallel fashion. As shown in Fig. 3, the MMC unit 14 includes a processor 14a, a ROM 14b, a RAM 14c, the CRT 14d, the keyboard 14e, a CRT controller 14f, a keyboard controller 14g, an I/O interface 14h for performing a data exchange with an I/O data bus, not shown, a serial interface 14i for performing a data exchange with a host computer, and a high-speed interface controller 14j having a built-in processor for performing a high-speed exchange of data with a high-speed interface controller 15d of the data exchanger controller 15 in conformance with an HDLC (high-level data link control) procedure. The data exchange controller 15 has a common memory 15a of RAM construction, a bus controller 15b, a serial transfer controller 15c of the same construction as the serial transfer controller 13f of the PMC unit 13 for performing an exchange of data therewith, and the high-speed interface controller 15d of the same construction as the high-speed interface controller 14j of the MMC unit 14 for performing an exchange of data therewith. The exchange of data between the NC unit 11 and PMC unit 13 is performed just as in the system shown in Fig. 5. That is, the sending side writes data and commands into the common RAM 15a, and the receiving side reads these data and commands. On the other hand, the exchange of data between the NC unit 11 or PMC unit 13 and the MMC unit 14 is performed via the high-speed interface controllers 14j, 15d. More specifically, if the NC unit 11 or PMC unit 13 is the sending side, transmission is performed by writing the data and commands in the common RAM 15a and having the high-speed interface controller 15d with the built-in processor read these data and commands and transmit them to the high-speed interface controller 14j on the MMC unit side. If the MMC unit 14 is to make a transmission to the NC unit 11 or PMC unit 13, this is performed by transmitting the data and commands from the high-speed interface controller 14j to the high-speed interface controller 15d on the side of the data exchange controller 15 and having the high-speed interface controller 15d write these data and commands in the common RAM 15a. In accordance with the invention, the MMC unit 14 is computerized and adapted so as to be capable of executing program processing. Therefore, the processor 14a of the MMC unit, the processor 11a of the NC unit 11 and the processor 13a of the PMC unit 13 construct a multiprocessor system. As a result, processing is decentralized to lighten the processing load. Further, the MMC unit 14 is capable of program processing and can store data. It is therefore capable of multifarious, fine control which can be carried out with excellent controllability, safety and ease of maintenance. For example, automatic programming processing, guidance display processing like that of an instruction manual, sophisticated self-diagnostic processing and other forms of processing can be executed, and it is possible to fabricate a man-machine interface conforming to the machine. Furthermore, since each of the units 11, 13, 14 can be placed in modular form and the modules combined to construct the numerical control system, the architecture of the system is facilitated. Moreover, each unit can be standardized irrespective of the functions of the other units. The processors are also capable of performing simultaneous, concurrent processing, so that system function can be greatly improved.

Claims: A numerical control system comprising:- an NC unit (11) having a processor (11a); a programmable machine controller (13) having a processor (13a), for executing sequence of a machine tool (12) control based on signals from the NC unit (11) and the machine tool (12); a man-machine interface (14) including a CRT and a keyboard as input/output means; and a data exchange controller (15); data being exchanged among at least the NC unit (11) and programmable machine controller (13) under the control of the data exchange controller (15); characterised in that:- the man-machine interface (14) is a computerized man-machine interface controller comprising a processor (14a) forming a multiprocessor system with the processors (11a, 13a) of the NC unit (11) and programmable machine controller (13), and further comprising a high-speed interface controller (14j) having a built-in processor; the data exchange controller (15) includes a bus controller (15b) and a common RAM (15a), the bus controller being connected to control bidirectional data exchange to the common RAM (15a), to a bus of the programmable machine controller (13), to a bus of the NC unit (11), and via a high-speed interface controller (15d) to the high-speed interface controller (14j) of the man-machine interface controller; both said high-speed interface controllers (14j, 15d) having the same construction and being mutually connected for high-speed bidirectional data exchange, the data exchange controller (15) being operable to store in the common RAM (15a) data or commands received from any one of the processors and to allow reading of the stored data or commands by either of the other processors, whereby, in use, data transmission from the NC unit (11) or programmable machine controller (13) to the man-machine interface controller (14) is performed by writing data or commands in the common RAM (15a). A numerical control system according to claim 1, wherein the data exchange controller (15) further includes a serial transfer controller (15c) connected for bidirectional data transfer, via a corresponding serial transfer controller (13f) of the programmable machine controller (13), to the machine tool (12). A numerical control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the man-machine interface controller (14) has an I/O interface (14h) connected to an external I/O device and a serial interface (14i) connected to an external computer.

Inventors: ISOBE, SHINICHI HINODAI-HAITSU 516, MIYATA, MITSUTO, YAMAUCHI, TAKASHI
Applicants: FANUC LTD.
Application year: 1986
Main classification: G05B19
IPC codes: G05B19