DE102009007286A1 - System e.g. production system, operating method, involves remote controlling control system independent of position of system based on graphical representation of system operation on portable display - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves influencing an operation of a system e.g. production system, mounting system and distribution system, by a movement sensitive mouse (5) of a control system (3) independent of a position of the system. The operation of the system is graphically represented on a portable display (4) e.g. iPhone(RTM: Internet- and multimedia-enabled smart phones). The control system is remote controlled independent of the position of the system based on the graphical representation, where the graphical representation represents entire layout of the system. An independent claim is also included for a device for operating a system comprising a control system for influencing an operation of the system.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for operating installations with system elements, such as machine tools, robots, conveyor vehicles, handling equipment, elevators, etc., their activity through a control is influenced and graphed, in particular of production, assembly and distribution equipment, as well as one Device for this.

State of the art

Under The term production facilities means systems that have a have central control, to which NC-controlled machine tools, Robots and the like handling equipment for the Material and equipment transport are coupled. The task of the central control is the Material and resource flow as well as the processing of the material to control automatically. Become automated production equipment today usually in appropriate workshops or production plants used. In this case, systems come into play where those of a central Host computer from the individual plant components, such as NC controlled Machine tools and / or handling equipment to be controlled. These Components have their own control unit via which they connect directly to the central Control are coupled. about this coupling takes place on the one hand the exchange of information, such as the machine status or fault messages or else the transfer of parameters or data blocks as a knowledge base for execution of machining processes or transport processes, on the other hand serves the Coupling also to trigger Functions / Activities at the plant components by the master computer. Examples are the Starting a machining process on a machine or triggering a Transports by a robot. The master control is the central one junction for all Information and activities the production plant.

In order to the operator of such a system the necessary overview receives the production plant is visualized by the control system. Thereby all relevant information of the plant will be on one Screen. Furthermore, the operator also has the option to intervene manually and over the main control functions or processes to activate or stop.

Such Production plants currently exist in a variety of forms and are usually called Flexible Manufacturing Cells or Flexible Manufacturing Systems designated.

by virtue of The developments in the field of PC's are becoming more and more control systems used on this basis. Here are the conventional Hardware components (computers with data storage, network components, screen, Keyboard and mouse) and a standardized operating system. Building on the operating system becomes one specific to control system tasks developed software that performs the functions described above of the control system, these are essentially the visualization, through active operation, implemented.

further Developments in the field of PC operation are well known in the field of application the control mouse. The control mouse is in this system by radio with connected to the PC and can be moved / operated anywhere in the room become. The motion control technology brings motion measurement to a higher one Level. It offers five Degrees of freedom and any subsystem integration and signal processing that to ensure from "perfect Motion control "required are ideal for non-mobile users Mouse control suitable.

task

task The present invention is the operation and visualization to make the control of a production plant intuitive, so that even complex and unmanageable Facilities are easy to handle.

Solution of the task

to solution the task leads that based on the graphical representation of the controller remotely controlled and / or anywhere being affected.

there It is preferable to use software based on a location-independent, motion-sensitive mouse realized an operation. This newly developed Mouse can over a relatively large distance communicate wirelessly with a display, however, they or their movement are displayed on the screen and commands, for example, transmitted by appropriate mouse clicks can be.

something similar can of course also by a corresponding light beam, such as a pointer, provided that the graph showing Display is sensitive to light.

Finally, it is also possible to operate a display on the graphical representation by voice control and thus specify ways of working and functions. All kinds of options are available for transmitting this language, be it a microphone, telephone or a whale kie-talkie. Here, the invention should not be limited.

In a case is thought of the plant element, a combination of system elements or the entire system a corresponding display assign, which can be influenced by remote and location-independent. In this case it is natural necessary that this display has an appropriate size and the corresponding investment elements and parts can represent. It is also conceivable that the user leads a display with him, which then of course wirelessly in communication with the controller. For example, can this is a touch screen, with the finger on its surface can be served. For example, this would also be known in recent times become iPhone conceivable.

In a preferred embodiment the graphical representation of the entire plant layout or at least the most essential parts of it. In the system layout all states, interpretations, and all parameters of materials and equipment, machines and plant parts can be displayed. The representation should thereby be subdivided into presentation layers or levels so that for example, from the plant a machine tools, from this the tool magazine, from this a particular tool and from this then the condition, the life, the duration of use, the frequency of the insert, etc. is shown.

The Program is further designed so that a dynamic and / or periodic Updating the investment layout and all its parts is done. This means that the graphical representation is constantly updated Situation adapted. Of course, the graphic representation allows next to it a color representation also the input of texts or explanations or similar.

in the Plant layout can also object-specific data sheets to be activated from previous operations there are stored and for a current work process needed.

in the graphically displayed system layout are interactive functions possible be. Such interactive functions may e.g. B. by a Command selected in plant layout become.

• – grafische 2D- oder 3D-Bild der Produktionsanlage als Anlagenlayout abbildet,
• – Zustände der Anlagenkomponenten im Anlagenlayout abbildet,
• – Zustände der Materialien- und Betriebsmittel im Anlagenlayout darstellt,
• – die Eigenschaft besitzt,
• – eine dynamische, periodische Aktualisierung der Anzeige durchführt,
• – ereignisabhängig spezielle Anlagenkomponenten visualisiert;
• – Darstellungsschichten/-Ebenen (unterlagerte Anlagenlayouts) enthält, die per Mausklick anzuwählen sind,
• – neben der farblichen Darstellung textuelle Erläuterung über Mausposition ermöglicht,
• – abhängig von der Mausposition im Anlagenlayout ”objektspezifische” Datenblätter aktiviert,
• – interaktive Funktionen im grafisch abgebildeten Anlagenlayout ermöglicht (z. B. Drag und Drop für Bewegungsabläufe (Transporte) in der Anlage, Veränderung von dargestellten Bearbeitungsreihenfolgen,
• – Funktionen über Mausklick auswählen lässt,
• – Auswahl der interaktiven Funktionen abhängig von der Mausposition im Anlagenlayout (zum Beispiel bei Maschine sind nur Funktionen aufrufbar, die die Maschine betreffen) zulässt und
• – per Maus Benutzeranmeldung und Spracheinstellung erfolgen lässt.

The present invention also includes a corresponding device for operating installations with installation elements, such as machine tools, robots, conveyor vehicles, handling equipment, elevators, etc., the activity of which is influenced by a control and can be displayed graphically on a display or the like, in particular of production assembly. and distribution systems, with a location-independent remote control is in operative connection with the display or the controller. For this purpose, a software is used, the

• - depicts a graphical 2D or 3D image of the production plant as a plant layout,
• - maps the states of the plant components in the plant layout,
• - represents the status of materials and resources in the plant layout,
• - owns the property,
• - performs a dynamic, periodic refresh of the ad,
• - Visualized special system components depending on the event;
• - Display layers / levels (subordinate plant layouts) that are to be selected by mouse click,
• - in addition to the color representation textual explanation about mouse position allows,
• - activates "object-specific" data sheets depending on the mouse position in the plant layout,
• - enables interactive functions in the graphically displayed layout of the plant (eg drag and drop for movement processes (transports) in the plant, change of displayed processing sequences,
• - lets you choose functions by mouse click,
• - Selection of interactive functions depending on the mouse position in the plant layout (for example, only functions that can be called in the machine are allowed in the machine) and
• - via mouse user registration and language setting can be done.

With the inventive The method and the device should be operated by a master control automated production facility become simple and clear. This allows quick intervention, short reaction times in case of failure and the avoidance of downtime in capital-intensive production plants.

figure description

Further Advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent the following description of preferred embodiments and by reference the drawing; this shows in

1 a schematic pictorial representation of the inventive method for operating a production plant;

2 a schematic pictorial representation of an inventive central control system;

3 a schematic pictorial representation of an inventive interactive grafi operation.

According to 1 is a machine tool 1 a robot 2 associated with which the machine tool 1 can be equipped with appropriate workpieces to be machined.

machine tool 1 and robots 2 is a guidance system 3 which coordinates the workflow of robots 2 and machine tool 1 takes over. The control system 3 includes a software with components for visualization and operation of the system via a display 4 That is, between both there is either a fixed connection via a cable or a radio link or the like. This display 4 is a motion-sensitive mouse 5 assigned with one hand 6 can be served.

The operation of the present invention is as follows:
On the display 4 the layout of all or part of a production plant is shown. For example, the layout is 7 according to 2 to display four different manufacturing cells 1.1 to 1.4 in a production hall with z. T. associated transporter 8th and workpiece storage 9 , Each of these individual manufacturing cells 1.1 to 1.4 or combinations of several machine tools can be displayed separately by clicking with a motion-sensitive mouse. In these individual representations, in turn, the individual pictorial representations can be clicked on and displayed. Furthermore, the activity of the individual plant elements can be determined. This is exemplified in 3 indicated. For example, from the machine tool M2 ( 1 ) click on the tool magazine icon so that the display or contents of the tool magazine appear on the display. From this content, the used tool is selected by mouse click.

From the workpiece storage 9 the workpiece is selected, which in the machine tool M2 ( 1 ) is to be processed. When clicking with the mouse, the user also receives workpiece information at the same time. Separately from the workpiece storage 9 the operation "clamp workpiece" is indicated.

For other functions such. B. "Set operating mode" is the control system, the operating mode of the entire system or a component such as the transporter 8th communicated. This determines whether the transporter 8th automatically the workpiece from the workpiece storage 9 to the machine tool M2 1 should or should be done manually.

By clicking on the machine tool M2 1 even further important parameters, procedures and other information can be transmitted in a subsequent table of the machine. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 1 machine tool 2 robot 3 Control System 4 display 5 mouse 6 hand 7 layout 8th transporter 9 Workpiece support 10 high level rack

Claims (18)

Method for operating installations with installation elements, such as machine tools ( 1 1 ), Robots ( 1 2 ), Handling vehicles, handling equipment, lifts, etc. whose activity is controlled by a 1 3 ) is influenced and represented graphically, in particular of production, assembly, distribution systems, characterized in that based on the graphical representation of the control system ( 3 ) is controlled remotely and / or location independent. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the influence by means of a location-independent, motion-sensitive mouse ( 1 5 ) he follows. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the influence of a ray of light on the graphic Representation takes place. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the influence of remote speech (walkie-talkie, telephone, Microphone). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the graphical representation on a portable display, for example an iPhone, on which also the influence is carried out. Method according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the graphical representation of the entire Plant layout or the most essential parts of it represents. Method according to at least one of the claims che 1 to 6, characterized in that states of the materials and resources are displayed in the system layout. Method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized that a dynamic or periodic update of the plant layout done in the graphical representation. Method according to at least one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the graphical representation in presentation layers / levels (subordinate Plant layouts), for example, by mouse click or event-oriented selected become. Method according to at least one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the graphical representation next to a color representation also text-like explanations allows. Method according to at least one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that activated in the system layout "object-specific" data sheets can be. Method according to at least one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that in the graphically displayed system layout interactive features become. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that that interactive functions are selected with a command in the plant layout. Device for operating installations with system elements, such as machine tools ( 1 1 ), Robots ( 1 2 ), Handling vehicles, handling equipment, elevators, etc. whose activity is controlled by a 1 3 ) and on a display ( 1 4 ) or the like. Graphically represented, in particular of production assembly and distribution systems, characterized in that a location-independent remote control ( 1 5 ) with the display ( 1 4 ) or the control system ( 1 3 ) is in operative connection. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the remote control is a motion-sensitive mouse ( 1 5 ). Device according to claim 14, characterized in that that the remote control is voice controlled. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that that the display is touch-sensitive. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that that the display is light-sensitive.