JPH04237308A - Monitor system for numerical control - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simply execute the improvement and debugging of a system pro gram by including a monitor function necessary for the operation analysis of an internal processor of a CNC in this monitor system. CONSTITUTION:A software program 4b for analyzing the operation of the processor is previously stored in an read-only memory means 4 in a numerical controller 1. At the time of driving the device 1, the program 4b is read out by a program analyzing means 5 in parallel with a system program 4a. The operating state of the processor is written in a RAM 3 as a monitored result. The monitored result is outputted to the outside to inform the operating state of the processor to an operator.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a numerical control monitor system, and more particularly to a numerical control monitor system for analyzing the operation of a CPU in a CNC numerical control device (hereinafter simply referred to as CNC).

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to analyze the operation of a CPU built into a CNC, a dedicated computer with a tracing function called a debugger or emulator has been required. This dedicated computer is a CNC C
It executes a control program within the CNC instead of the PU, and is called a target debugger or in-circuit emulator.

[0003] These dedicated computers allow CPU
The method of analyzing the motion of CNC is often adopted when developing CNC system programs, and its power is being demonstrated. However, in recent CNCs, control programs (
The scale of system programs (system programs) is increasing, and the functions of the systems are becoming enormous. For this reason,
It is virtually impossible to completely check all functions of a system program at the test run stage.

[0004] Therefore, once the development is completed and the CNC is delivered to the user as a product, the built-in CPU
It becomes necessary to analyze the behavior of In particular, if the user
When using the NC, the user operates the CNC using a unique NC program. Therefore, when a program error appears for the first time, the cause may not be revealed through test operation.

[0005]

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, conventional numerical control monitor systems are composed of large computers equipped with trace functions, etc., and generally cannot be easily carried to the factory where the numerical control equipment is installed. do not have. Moreover, once the control software in the ROM is incorporated into the CNC, it cannot be easily replaced. Therefore, even if a software failure occurs in the control program, the C
When the NC is connected to a machine, that is, when it is in operation, the cause of a software failure cannot be easily investigated.

[0006]Therefore, there has been a problem in that even simple improvements and debugging of system programs require a long time. The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a numerical control monitor system that has built-in monitoring functions necessary for analyzing the operation of a processor inside a numerical control device, such as a simple trace function. shall be.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a numerical control device that includes a system program stored in a read-only storage means and a processor that operates with this system program as a control program. In the above, a software program for analyzing the operation of the processor is stored in the read-only storage means in advance, the operation state of the processor is monitored when the numerical control device is operated, and the monitoring result is outputted to the outside. A numerical control monitor system featuring features is provided.

[0008]

[Operation] When the numerical control device is in operation, previously stored software programs are read out in parallel from the storage means that stores control system programs. This software program is executed to analyze the operation of the processor built into the numerical control device and notify the operator of the results of monitoring the operating status.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a numerical control monitor system of the present invention. This numerical control monitor system analyzes the operation of a processor (CPU) that operates using a system program as a control program in a CNC1.
It has unit 2. A dedicated NC program created by a user or the like is externally written into the RAM 3. Inside this CNC 1, in addition to the above-mentioned RAM 3, there is a ROM (
A read-only memory) 4, program analysis means 5, and timer means 6 are provided. The ROM 4 is preloaded with a system program 4a that operates as a control program, and a software program 4b that analyzes the operation of the CPU based on the control software. Here, the program analysis means 5 is configured as the same calculation means as the CPU that operates with the system program 4a as a control program, but it may be of a multiprocessor configuration in which a dedicated processor is assigned to the program analysis means 5.

As described above, the numerical control monitor system is located in the CNC 1 and includes the following four types of software programs 4b as well as the system program 4a for basic control, thereby monitoring the operating status of the CPU. . The monitoring operation by these software programs 4b is performed in a sampling manner for predetermined functions at a predetermined cycle set in the timer means 6 as necessary.

The first function of the software program 4b is a trace function for a program that records the traces of the CPU. This function records the route taken by the CPU at the machine language level in a trace list.

The second function is a memory trace function that records the access status of the system program 4a to a specific RAM address. This function is a type of trace function that records in a trace list what kind of data the CPU has read or written to a specific RAM area.

The third function is a timer function which is executed by the control system program 4a and causes the timer means 6 to measure the processing time of the CPU from address A to another address B. This determines whether the processor has completed a predetermined process within a certain time.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the hardware of a numerical control device (CNC) for implementing the present invention. The processor 11 controls the entire numerical control device according to the system program 4a stored in the ROM 4. R.O.
EPROM or EEPROM is used for M4. An SRAM is used as the RAM 3, and various data such as the above-mentioned NC program and monitoring results such as a trace list are stored. A machining program 14a, parameters, etc. are stored in the nonvolatile memory 14, and since a battery-backed CMOS or the like is used, the contents are retained even after the numerical control device is powered off.

A PMC (programmable machine controller) 15 receives commands for the M function, S function, T function, etc., decodes and processes the commands using a sequence program 15a, and outputs an output signal for controlling the machine tool. It also receives a limit switch signal from the machine side control circuit or a switch signal from the machine operation panel, processes it in the sequence program 15a, and outputs an output signal for controlling the machine side. Further, signals necessary for the numerical control device are transferred to the RAM 3 via the bus 25 and read by the processor 11.

The graphic control circuit 16 converts the data stored in the RAM 3, such as the current position and amount of movement of each axis, into a display signal and sends it to the display device 2a of the CRT/MDI unit 2, and the display device 2a displays this. do. As the display device 2a, a CRT, a liquid crystal display, or the like is used. keyboard 2b
is used to input various data.

The axis control circuit 18 receives a position command from the processor 11 and outputs a speed command signal for controlling the servo motor 20 to the servo amplifier 19. The servo amplifier 19 amplifies this speed command signal and drives the servo motor 20. A pulse coder 21 that outputs a position feedback signal is coupled to the servo motor 20. pulse coder 2
1 feeds back a position feedback pulse to the axis control circuit 18. In addition to the pulse coder 21, a position detector such as a linear scale may be used. These elements are required for the number of axes, but since the configuration of each element is the same, only one axis is shown here.

The input/output circuit 22 exchanges input/output signals with the machine side. In other words, the limit switch signal on the machine side,
The PMC 15 receives the switch signal from the machine operation panel and reads it. It also receives an output signal from the PMC 15 that controls a pneumatic actuator on the machine side, and outputs it to the machine side.

The manual pulse generator 23 outputs a pulse train for precisely moving each axis in accordance with the rotation angle, and is used to precisely position the machine. Manual pulse generator 23 is typically mounted on a machine operation panel. In the figure, a spindle control circuit, a spindle amplifier, a spindle motor, etc. for controlling the spindle are omitted. Also,
Although there is one processor here, a multi-processor system using a plurality of processors can also be used depending on the system.

Next, a method of monitoring the operating state of the CPU executed by the software program 4b will be explained. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the first program trace function. In the figure, the number following S indicates the step number.

[S1] Check whether there is a timer interrupt generated by the interval timer in the CPU 11. [S2] If there is no interrupt, the CPU 11 executes a predetermined NC command based on the control program. [S3] If there is a timer interrupt, the CPU 11 executes the software program 4b. That is, the program trace instruction is decoded and the program counter in the CPU 11 is saved in the stack.

[S4] Next, the stack address is read from the stack of the CPU 11. [S5] The contents read from the program counter are written in the trace area provided in the RAM 3 to create a trace list.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the second memory trace function. According to this function, the CP for the RAM area specified by the trace instruction is
The access contents of U11 can be recorded in the trace list.

[S11] Check whether there is a timer interrupt generated by the interval timer in the CPU 11. [S12] If there is no interrupt, the CPU 11 executes a predetermined NC command based on the control program. [S13] If there is an interrupt, the CPU 11 executes the software program 4b. That is, the trace command is decoded to identify the work area of the RAM 3 that is accessible from the CPU 11.

[S14] Next, the specified address of RAM 3 is read. [S15] In the trace area provided in RAM3,
Create a trace list by writing the contents read from the work area of AM3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the third timer function. This function uses the timer means 6 to measure the processing time of the CPU 11 based on the control program, and it can be determined whether a predetermined process has been completed within a certain time.

[S21] A trap instruction generated along with the execution of the system program 4a is detected. This trap instruction is inserted in advance at a location where the system program 4a is desired to be evaluated. [S22] If no trap instruction is detected, CPU1
1 executes a predetermined NC command based on a control program.

[S23] If a trap instruction is detected,
An interrupt occurs, and the CPU 11 checks whether or not the timer means 6 is performing a timing operation. [S24] If the time is not being counted, the CPU 11 executes the software program 4b. That is, it decodes the timer instruction, rewrites the contents of the address currently being executed by the CPU 11 to which the interrupt has been applied, and specifies the address at which the timer processing ends.

[S25] Based on the above timer instruction, the control program of the address at which timer processing is to be terminated is rewritten, and a trap instruction for terminating timer processing is set there. [S26] The timer means 6 starts measuring time, and returns to step S22 to continue the next NC command.

[S27] If it is determined in step S23 that time measurement is in progress, the time measurement operation in the timer means 6 is terminated, and C
The PU 11 reads out the time measurement contents of the timer means 6. [S28] The read timing contents are written in the trace area provided in the RAM 3. At this time, it is also possible to compare it with a set reference time and display whether there is an abnormality in program execution according to the comparison result.

The fourth function is to output the monitoring results based on the first to third functions to the outside. This function allows the monitoring results based on the first trace function to be displayed on the display device 2a of the CNC, and the monitoring results based on the second trace function to be transferred to the outside via the parallel port. Any monitoring result can be output to an external device, for example, another computer, via a communication line, and a predetermined evaluation can be added. These operations are performed all at once after all data is once recorded in the monitor area within the RAM 3.

[0032] In this manner, address numbers, correspondingly read mnemonic codes, or program processing execution times are sequentially recorded in the trace list. Therefore, apart from the execution data of the CPU 11, the operator can read the monitoring results of the operating state of the numerical control device from the trace area and output them as serial data to an external device via the communication line of the numerical control device. If a parallel port, such as a DA converter, is used for the input/output circuit 22, the monitoring results can be output as parallel data, and displayed in analog form on, for example, a synchroscope.

[0033] With such a function, when a software failure occurs during CNC operation, the CPU can be
It becomes possible to investigate the cause while mounted on the machine without removing it from C. The above explanation is for the case where the operating status of the processor is monitored according to the four types of software programs 4b, but various other functions can be added or changed depending on the NC control program to create a numerical control monitor system. It is also possible to configure

[0034]

As described above, the present invention eliminates the need to connect a dedicated computer such as a conventional debugger or emulator. Therefore, C of the numerical control device
A monitor system is constructed that can easily perform program tracing and the like on a system program that controls a PU.

Furthermore, monitoring results can be obtained with the numerical control device installed in the machine tool and even while the machine tool is in operation, without requiring any special equipment to be connected to the CNC.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a numerical control monitor system of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Numerical control device (CNC) for implementing the present invention
) is a block diagram of the hardware.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a program trace function.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a memory trace function.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a timer function.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 CNC 2 CRT/MDI unit 3 RAM 4 ROM 5 Program analysis means 6. Timer means 4a System program 4b Software program

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A numerical control device that includes a system program stored in a read-only storage means and a processor that operates using the system program as a control program, wherein a software program for analyzing the operation of the processor is stored in the read-only storage means. What is claimed is: 1. A numerical control monitor system, characterized in that the operating state of the processor is stored in advance in a storage means, the operating state of the processor is monitored during operation of the numerical control device, and the monitoring results are output to the outside. 2. The software program has a trace function that records the running trace of the system program in the processor, a trace function that records the state of access from the processor to a specific memory area, or a trace function that records the execution of the program by the processor. including at least one function of a timer function for measuring processing execution time,
The numerical control monitor system according to claim 1, further comprising a function of outputting the monitoring result to the outside. 3. The numerical control monitor system according to claim 2, wherein the operating state of the processor is monitored by the software program periodically interrupting the system program. 4. The numerical control monitor system according to claim 3, wherein the monitoring results are accumulated in a predetermined trace area and then displayed on a display screen of the numerical control device. 5. The numerical control device according to claim 3, wherein the monitoring result is output from the numerical control device as serial data via a communication line or as parallel data via a parallel port. monitor system.