FR2569876A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR GRAPHICAL VISUALIZATION FOR A DIGITAL MACHINE TOOL CONTROL SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION CONCERNS VISUALIZATION TECHNIQUES APPLIED TO THE DIGITAL CONTROL OF MACHINE TOOLS. A COMPUTER DIGITAL CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A MACHINE TOOL INCLUDES IN PARTICULAR A MEMORY 21 WHICH CONTAINS GRAPHIC DATA FILES CONSISTING OF PREDETERMINED SEQUENCES OF GRAPHIC ORDERS. THESE FILES ALLOW TO PRESENT DIRECTLY ON THE VISUAL 18 OF A DIGITAL CONTROL STATION 12 GRAPHIC INFORMATION SUCH AS DIAGNOSIS AID, PART CONFIGURATION DIAGRAMS AND MACHINE CONFIGURATION DIAGRAMS. APPLICATION TO DIGITAL CONTROL MACHINE-TOOLS.

Description

The present invention generally relates to control systems

  computer numerically for machine tools and more particularly relates to graphic display devices for such systems. Numerical control systems for controlling computer-dependent machine tools are well known. Such systems control the machining operation under the action of one or more coin programs that are stored in a memory after being loaded into the memory by means of, for example, a punched tape. On request, the part program has the machine perform a series of manufacturing steps. When, for example, the machine comprises a cutting tool, the relative movement between the workpiece and the cutting tool normally takes place along three mutually perpendicular axes, to perform a series of rectilinear or circular cutting operations,

  according to the part program which imposes the movement

  cutting tool. In addition, a control system

  digital computer can be designed to

  to ask for other functions such as changes

  tools, the speed of the spindle, the circulation of

  cooling, selecting palettes and generating messages and graphics presented on a

  screen. The number and type of functions vary considerably

  depending on the type of machine tool that is ordered. In the past, the control has been carried out by means of specialized wired circuits operating under conditions detected on the machine tool and orders contained in the part program. However, more recently, the logic associated with machine tool control systems has been incorporated into a computer system by means of a set of recorded programs (i.e., software) to realize the overall order. The software is specially adapted for a particular application but can be easily modified to meet specific needs. The addition of a programmable control to a digital control system provides a number of advantages, the first and most important of which is that it is sufficient to reprogram the control to enable it to operate with a

  particular machine. In addition, programming using

  The user is relatively easier, because of the type of instruction set that is used and the editing features that are available. A CNC may include two separate software programs, namely

  "numerical control logic", which is called

  digital control sky, whose content is more or

  less fixed, and the "machine control logic", or

  LCM program, which is modifiable and can be adapted to a

  particular machine tool. In industry, this adaptation

  This is usually done by a specific equipment manufacturer, or OEM. Numerical control software controls part fabrication, motion along axes, message presentation, and other auxiliary functions, while the LCM program essentially, if not exclusively, controls the operation of

  the machine tool. U.S. Patent Application

  No. 415,041 filed on September 7, 1982 further discloses an interface software, called the adaptation window, which consists of a group of programs, input / output networks and status indicators. which provide the link between the numerical control software, the LCM program and the machine tool. A method has been described which is implemented in the LCM program

  adaptation to generate graphical representations

  when for example an operator of

  machine-tool-requires the visualization of a

  machine state training. The system provides a graphical representation that is updated periodically dynamically. We have described

  a method and means for adding

  and to improve the use of

  their for alphanumeric and graphical visualization

  of a CNC system.

  The object of the invention is to provide a

  to the processes by which information is presented in graphical form for the terminals

  visualization systems used in combination with

numerical control systems.

  Briefly, this and other goals are achieved by integrating visualization of graphical plot files into an apparatus for viewing alphanumeric information.

  and graphic on a cathodic tube video monitor

  than a digital control station. Sets of

  sequences of graphic orders for visualization

  graphics files are stored in a graphics data file

  can for example be a mass memory. These

  les are selected, on request, for viewing

  in one of three ways, namely a se-

  selection by the operator, a selection by a part program and a selection by the machine control logic. When the graphic sequences contained in the saved plot file have been selected, they are sent to the digital control station. Cedernier interprets the sequences of graphic orders and calls

  graphical primitives (subroutines for

  the graphs) to draw a line, a circle, an arc,

  etc. These graphic primitives are transmitted to the

  visualization of the digital control station in which the selected plot file is represented on

the screen of the cathode ray tube.

  The rest of the description refers to the drawings

  annexed which represent respectively:

  Figure 1: a simplified block diagram

  sensing a known type CNC system and associated means for viewing plot files;

  Figure 2: a schematic diagram

  the software contained in the digital control system

  Figure 1; Figure 3 is a block diagram showing in greater detail the software of the computer numerical control system shown in Figure 2; Figure 4: a block diagram representing

  Generally speaking, the sequence of operations of the com-

  digital computer control; Figure 5: a block diagram representing

  generally speaking, the preferred embodiment of the invention

tion; and

  Figure 6: an organization chart representing the

  assigned by which plot files are displayed in accordance with

in accordance with the invention.

  FIG. 1, which represents a computer numerical control system for controlling a machine tool 10, will now be considered.

  computer numerical control comprises three main

  hardware elements: the digital control station 12, the machine control station 14 and the control cabinet

  digital control system, 1.6. The computer that controls

  of the system is on a circuit board, not shown, contained in the system box.

  numerical control, 16. Such a configuration

  kills an example of a Mark Century 2000 brand computer controlled cnc system

  General Electric Company. This system is capable of recording

  store computer programs and complete information file sets, edit programs and files and call them in sequence

  desired to execute a complete set of subproducts

  grams that perform a specific task on a machine tool such as a lathe or milling machine. In addition, a separate apparatus 15 may be connected to a computer system operating in an autonomous mode (not shown) to graphically display data

  from files contained in the computer running

  in stand-alone mode and concerning the machining process or the CNC. We

  example of such a device can be

  Tektronix, Inc. graphical visualization display 4014, which includes a CRT display 17. The graphic display terminal 15 contains sets of graphic order sequences of a known specific type,

  to visualize data such as diag-

  nostic for the machine, room configuration diagrams, machine configuration diagrams, etc. Graphical visualizations are needed, for example, to facilitate debugging procedures

  a part manufacturing sequence on the machine.

  The digital control station 12 includes a

  viewing device 18 equipped with a cathode

  that and a keyboard 20 including special function keys, for example to introduce files in

  memory and then order the reading of the informa-

  files for executing a program. The pos-

  The machine control unit 14 comprises a set of

  manual commands and pushbuttons 22 that the opera-

  The machine uses machine-related functions such as mode selection, offset, step feed, spindle speed, feed rate, and so on.

  The functions performed by the communication system

  The pattern shown in FIG. 1 is determined by internally registered software which comprises three sets of separate programs. Figure 2 shows that

  these programs include digital control logic

  24 (hereinafter called the numerical control software), the LCM window 26 and the control logic

  machine 28 (hereinafter referred to as the LCM program).

  The digital control software 24 controls the production

  parts, movement along the axes of the machine and the presentation of messages and graphics on the CRT 18. The numerical control software is a fixed or permanent part of the control system.

  CNC control. The LCM program is

  specify the operation of the machine-

  tool and it consists of a large number of subproducts

  grams, contained in modular sections called modules, which allow the manufacturer of specific equipment (OEM) to adapt the system to the user. The LCM window 26 consists of software such as that described in the aforementioned Patent Application No. 415,041, which allows the LCM program 28 to communicate with the digital control software 24 and which provides access to the inputs.

  and at the outputs of the machine tool 10.

  As FIG. 3 shows in more detail, the LCM program 28 consists of two parts: the Fixed LCM 30 and the Adaptation LCM 32.

  LCM 32 contains all the programs of machine-

  tool for controlling the operation of the machine tool 10, using the LCM window software

  26 to provide the necessary interface with the machine.

  It is the Adaptation 32-LCM which is specially designed for a particular type of system operation and

  which adapts computer numerical control to the com-

  command of a particular machine tool. On the contrary, the fixed LCM 30 is a software whose basic function is to control and control the devices intended for the operator in the machine control station 14

  (Figure 1) and is normally used without any changes

  cation for most applications. The LCM window 26 is constituted by a series of procedures and window functions 34, by state indicator networks 36 and by input and output networks 38 which can not normally be changed, so that the integrity of

  digital control software can not be compromised

  put in place by any functions and procedures

  grammars by the user that are programmed in the

- LCM program 28.

  The digital control software 24 is constituted

  killed by subroutines. for controlling manufacture of parts, 40, motion along axes, 42, and operator displays, 44, spindle movement, timers, mathematical functions, and machine configuration data. The machine-configuration data, or DCM, consists of a list of data, formulated in a precise manner, providing the

  system of the specific characteristics of the machine-

  tool, such as forward speeds, pre-

  programs, room program

  color assignments for six modes of presentation

  information, the presentation being made at the

  once in alphanumeric form and / or in Arabic form.

on the cathode-ray tube 18.

  When the system is powered on, the

  digital control sky 24 operates first as shown in FIG. 5 by repeatedly calling the LCM program 28 for execution of this

  latest. We call "scan" each resulting execution

  te of the LCM 28 program and this scan causes "the call"

  fixed LCM programs 30 and LCM programs of Adap-

  32. The time between each scan of the program

  LCM depends on the current processing state of the system and the conditions that have appeared in the signals

  input that the computer numerical control system

  of the machine tool 10 via the LCM window 26. The instant at which a scan is

  performed in the numerical control software by

  is essentially determined on demand. Whenever an input signal from the machine changes or whenever one of the indicators from the LCM window 26 changes, a scan of the LCM program has

  place. In addition, a new scan of the LCM program

  if a certain period has elapsed since the last

  deny sweeping. This means that the LCM program

  at a predetermined minimum

  no longer quickly if the level of activity of the machine-

tool 10 is high.

  Now considering the invention, it is noted that it directly integrates the display of "plot files" in the CNC system, so as to directly view these files on the CRT 18 of the digital control station, as shown in Fig. 5, which eliminates the additional display device designated by reference numeral 15 in Fig. 1. As a result, a data file recording device is introduced.

  graphs 21 a number of graphical plot files

  consisting of sets of sequence sequences of

  cal. The recording device 21 may be a

  memory, such as a bubble memory, designed for recording

  record large amounts of data. We can also

  use other types of graphic sequences such as

than REGIS and NAPLS.

  The sequences of graphic orders are simply coded pointers, or keys, and each of them is associated with

  a graphic element that one wishes to create on the cathode

  18. By way of example, the graphic order sequences can be ASCII sequences. In any case, each

  sequence corresponds to a graphic element such as a

  Alphanumeric. However, a sequence of

  can be associated with the execution of a graphic primitive such as those used to draw a line between points or to draw a circle

or an arc.

  However, the recording device must be

  graphical data files 21 is connected to the CNC system in such a way that the file selection can be made according to

  any of the following three different ways

  (1) selection by the operator, (2) selection by the

  part program, or (3) selection by the LCM program.

  For this purpose, FIG. 5 shows that the graphics data file recording device 21 is accessed from the digital control station 12, so that after having been selected, the graphic order sequences contained in FIG. selected file are returned to the digital control station 12 in which the graphic order sequences are interpreted and the generation of the necessary graphical image signal is performed, then this signal is visualized on the tube

cathode video monitor 18.

  In operation, in the operator selection mode, the introduction of a plot file selection is performed by means of a keyboard input device such as the keyboard 20. On the contrary, the mode of selection by a part program involves a directed call from the digital control software 24 to the graphics data file recording device 21. Selection by the LCM program involves a directed call from the LCM program 28 to the

  device for recording granular data files

  21, via the LCM window 26.

  However, in each case, once the selected data file has been taken from memory, it is transferred to the digital control software 24 in

  the digital control station 12, and the latter

  prunes the contents of the file and generates calls on appropriate graphic primitives such as a line, a circle, an arc, a square, etc., using the transmitted parameters, these primitives then allowing

  to perform a visualization on the cathode ray tube.

  Figure 6 shows a flow chart that illustrates

  the process of generating graphical visualizations.

  The three trace file selection modes 46, 48 or 50 can respectively be selected by the operator, by a part program in progress, or by a window call from the program. LCM 28. In all cases, each selection is

  followed by a direct debit order 52 directed to the

  positive record of graphical data files

  21 (FIG. 5), which transfers the plot file to the digital control station 12, which is indicated by step 54. The graphic order sequences are interpreted in the digital control station (step

  56) to generate calls concerning granular primitives

  specific requirements for graphic information

  particular of the plot file. The graphical primitives

  These are simply preselected subprograms that are used to generate and issue

-0 0 7 3 11: L:

  to the cathode ray tube 18, which corresponds to step 60.

  Then, the cathode ray tube visualizes the configurations

  graphics of the selected plot file, under the

  trace orders, which corresponds to step 62.

  In summary, once a file containing graphic order sequences is selected, the graphic order sequences are transmitted to the display device of the digital control station 12. In the latter, each sequence is examined and the code of associated graphical primitive is executed. This has the effect of visualizing a graphic symbol. There is a one-to-one correspondence between a sequence of graphic orders and a primitive

particular graphic.

  Appendices I and II respectively contain coded examples of the selection of graphs by: (1) the numerical control part program, and (2)

  the LCM program. For the example selected by the

  part program, a code contained in the part program automatically triggers a visualization on

  the screen at a certain point during the machining operation.

  In this example we will see the messages "Place

  the control in single cycle and test mode "and"

  Check the cycle start button for each setup definition instruction. "A different file will be displayed each time the operator selects" Cycle Start. "In this example, the files contain information about the

workpiece.

  For the example relating to the LCM program, alarm conditions such as a low level of coolant show on the screen a message indicating the nature of the alarm. It is then possible

  call a file indicating graphically the location

  exact condition of alarm.

  For selection by the operator, the latter simply selects a viewing page on the screen of the CRT, and this page contains an index of the files. The operator then selects the desired file for viewing. For example, the operator may wish to visualize the information concerning the data of

  configuration for a particular part to be machined.

  Thus, means have been described and

  to integrate and visualize directly graphic plot files on the video display device of a CNC system

  intended for the control of a machine tool, in order to

  the user of the system to view data such as diagnostic aids for the machine,

  room configuration diagrams, configuration diagrams

machine ration, etc.

ANNEX I

  NOO1O (ID, PROG, TAlOlO, Numeric Order Recipe Program

America)

  N0020 (DSP, 2.10, PLACE CONTROL IN SINGLE CYCLE MODE

AND TEST)

  N0030 (DSP, 4.10, PRESS THE CYCLE START BUTTON

  FOR EACH DEFINITION INSTRUCTION OF CONFIGURA-

TION)

N0040 M02

N0050 (PLOT, 3DFOR5)

N0060 (PLOT, 3dPAR2)

N0070 (PLOT, FIXTO1)

N0080 (PLOT, FIXT02)

N0090 (PLOT, INST03)

  NOllO (DSP, 2.10, EXIT THE SINGLE CYCLE MODE, PASS TO

AUTOMATIC AND TEST MODE)

  N0120 (DSP, 4.10, TO DECLINE A FUNCTION SEQUENCE-

VERY EMPTY AND TRACE :)

  N0130 (DSP, 6,12,1: SELECT THE DISPLAY PAGE

GRAPHIC)

  N0140 (DSP, 7, 12, 2: TERMINING THE TRACE OF THE TRACK OF

TOOL)

  N0150 (DSP, 8,12,3: DEFINE NEW TRACE LIMITS,

IF NECESSARY)

  N0160 (DSP, 9,12,4: SELECTING THE TRACK OF THE TRACK

  TOOL AND PRESS THE START BUTTON

CYCLE)

N9997 (MSG,> "End of program44)

N9998 M30

N9999 (END, PROG)

6987-16

ANNEX II

IF RDIN (el_PB) THEN

  CONDITION OF LOW LEVEL OF THE COOLING FLUID,

  ERROR VISUALIZATION IN GRAPHIC MODE

  PLOTNUM SELECT (LOW LEVEL DISPLAY);

  MSG: = "LOW COOLING FLUID LEVEL";

  DISPRETURN: = DISPPAGELINE (90, 25, MSG);

ELSIF RDIN (e2_PB) THEN

  _ CONDITION OF TOOL ABSENCE, VISUALIZATION OF ERROR IN

GRAPHIC MODE

  PLOT NUM SELECT (VISUALIZE TOOL ABSENT);

MSG: = "ABSOLUTE TOOL";

  DISPRETURN: = DISPPAGELINE (90.25, MSG);

ELSIF RDIN (e3_PR) THEN

  _ THE PALLET IS NOT AT THE LOADING POINT, VISUALIZING

* ERROR IN GRAPHIC MODE

  PLOT NUM SELEC (VISUALIZATION_PALETTE_CHARGEMENT);

  MSG: = "THE PALLET IS NOT IN THE POSITION OF

LOADING";

  DISPRETURN: = DISPPAGELINE (90.25, MSG);

END IF;

Claims (22)

  1. Method of viewing plot files   on display means (18) of a communication system   computer numerical control controlling the operation of a machining system, characterized in that it comprises the following operations: a set of sequences of graphic orders is stored in a memory (21)   a trace file :; we select for visualization   these sequences of graphical sequences of plot file;   10 is taken from the memory (21) the sequences of orders gra-   cal; the sequences of graphic orders are transferred to means (12) connected to the display means (18) so as to interpret these command sequences; the sequences of graphic orders are interpreted and graph generation signals are generated for the means of   visualization (18); and we apply these signals of genera-   graphing the display means (18), - which has the effect of displaying for the user a plot file containing data such as aids   diagnosis for a machine, configuration diagrams   parts and machine configuration diagrams.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the recording operation further comprises the operation of -registering several sets of graphical sequence sequences of plot file, and in that the operation of selection includes selecting one of these sets of sequences of graphic orders plot file.   3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the operation which consists in producing signals   generation of graphics further comprises the opera-   invoking primitive procedures   graphs for the generation of primitive   predetermined graphics, and then to transmit   these command signals to the display means (18).   4. Method according to claim 3, characterized   in that the display means comprise a device   video-type display device (18) which is incorporated in a digital control station (12) of the video communication system. digital computer control.   5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the display device comprises a cathode ray tube (18) which reacts to the command signals by generating   the visualization that corresponds to a plot file.   6. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the selection operation comprises the operation consisting in the selection by an operator of one of the sets of sequences of graphic file sequences of the file. trace.   7. Method according to claim 6, characterized   in that the selection operation by a common operator   takes the selection of a plot file at the digital control (12).   The method of claim 4, characterized in that the selecting operation comprises the step of selecting one of the sets of graphical plot file sequences, using a part program. which is executed in the system of CNC control.   The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the selecting operation comprises the step of selecting one of the sets of graphical sequence sequences of plot file, by means of a subprogram a machine control logic program (28) that is executed in the control system digital computer.   The method of claim 9, characterized in that the subprogram comprises a window call directed from the machine control logic program (28) to the digital control logic software (24), by   via an interface window (26).   11. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the selection operation comprises the selection by an operator, the selection by the running of a program.   part gram or selection by executing a sub-   program of a machine control logic program (28). 12. CNC system   intended to control the operation of a machining system   characterized in that it comprises: visualization means   system integration (18) to provide a visual representation of system related data; means (21) for recording at least one file of   plot constituted by a set of sequences of   phics of a predetermined type; means (12) for selecting and collecting the plot file in the recording means (21); means (12) for interpreting graphical order sequences of the predetermined type and generating therefrom graph generating signals; means for transferring the set of graphic order sequences from the drawing file (s) to the interpreting and generating means (12); and means for transmitting the graphics generation signals to the display means (18), which has the effect of displaying to the user a plot file containing data such as diagnostic aids for a machine,   part configuration schemes and configuration diagrams machine guration.   13. System according to claim 12, characterized in that the visualization means consist of means   video type display (18).   14. System according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises at least one control station (12) and   in that the display means comprise a device   tif of presentation (18) placed in this control station.   15. System according to claim 14, characterized in that the presentation device comprises a video type monitor (18). 16. System according to claim 15, characterized in that the monitor comprises a cathode ray tube (18) and in that the graphics generating signals consist of   signals intended to draw on the cathode ray tube the information mation of a plot file.   17. System according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises a digital control station (12) and a machine control station (14), and in that the control station mentioned first is constituted by the station numerical control system (12).   18. System according to claim 12, characterized in that the recording means consist of a memory (21) intended to record several plot files.   19. The system of claim 12, characterized   in that the selection means comprise means   selection by the operator (20).   20. The system of claim 12, characterized   in that the selection means comprise a call   from a running part program.   21. The system of claim 12, characterized   in that the selection means comprises a call from a subprogram of a logic program of   machine control (28) running.   22. The system of claim 12, characterized   in that it comprises a digital control station (12) and a machine control station (14), and in that it operates in accordance with a plurality of registered computer programs, comprising a first set of programs (24); ) constituting the numerical control logic, and a second set of programs (28) constituting the logic   machine control system, and that the means for selecting   and selectively comprise operator selection means (20) on the digital control station (12), a display call from a part program, in the first set of programs. (24), or a visualization call   from a subroutine of the second set of programs my (28).