Abstract: A method of modular manufacturing is disclosed and a modular assembly system is shown utilizing a base unit and a plurality of detachable work stations adapted to operate with the base unit. Each detachable work station includes its own work station control processor. The assembly system is preferably fully modular since each work station is capable of controlling its own operation. Work stations may be plugged into a plurality of different work station ports on the base unit in a plurality of different combinations, preferably without reprogramming either the base unit control processor or the work stations control processor.

Abstract: A controller capable of monitoring a receiving circuit for receiving machine information. Machine information from a machine is received by a plurality of independent systems and the external signals received by the plurality of systems are compared, thereby, a receiving state of the receiving circuit is monitored. The controller includes a plurality of independent receiving units for receiving the external signal and monitoring units for comparing signals received by the plurality of receiving units, to monitor the receiving units based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: The present invention provides a welding system and methodology to facilitate communications and control. The system includes a cell controller to control one or more welders over a control network. An interface module associated with the cell controller and the control network communicates with the welders and employs a communications protocol adapted to the interface module to facilitate communications and control between the cell controller and the one or more welders over the control network.

Abstract: A computer numerical control system for controlling and monitoring machine motion. The CNC system combines a CNC executive and a logic engine for controlling execution of a part program. The logic engine is capable of executing under an operating system of a personal computer. The logic engine is coupled to the CNC executive such that the logic application can be executed in synchronization with the CNC executive.

Abstract: With this invention, expert knowledge from machine manufacturers is applied quickly at any time to a machine (20) via the Internet, by providing a main computer (host 8) for the production and provision of machine-related data and/or services and a machine-side working computer (client 21), which is connected to the main computer via a data communication link (14) and by means of which (client) machine state data can be acquired in real time and transmitted to the main computer, and by means of which machine-related data and/or services generated by the main computer as a function of such machine state data can be received by means of an analysis and evaluation unit.

Abstract: A sensor communication system comprising an array of sensors adapted to transmit sensor data in extensible markup language (XML) format to be received by a data server, the data server communicating the sensor data to a data store and the data store further communicating the sensor data to a data reporting device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for processing crank angle signals. The system comprises a crank angle sensor for converting a rotation of a crankshaft into analog signals; a switching circuit for converting the analog signals into crank angle signals; a timer/counter for detecting a number of pulses and tooth periods of the crank angle signals; a phase sensor for converting a rotation of a camshaft into cylinder identity signals and outputting the cylinder identity signals; and an electronic control unit for receiving the crank angle signals and the cylinder identity signals and using the signals to determine cylinder identity and rpm.

Abstract: A mobile robot capable of recognizing its location and adjusting its direction in response to an obstacle in its way includes a running device, an obstacle detecting device for detecting the presence of an obstacle, a location recognizing device, a controlling portion, and a power supply. The location recognizing device includes a first vision camera directed toward the ceiling of a room and a first vision board. The first vision camera recognizes a base mark on the ceiling. The first vision board processes an image from the first vision camera and transmits the image data to the controlling portion. The obstacle detecting device includes a line laser for emitting a linear light beam toward the obstacle, a second vision camera for recognizing a reflective linear light beam from the obstacle, and a second vision board for processing image data captured by the second vision camera.

Abstract: A welding system capable of shortening length of connection lines and the of effectively utilizing devices as a whole. The system comprises a welding controller provided with an I/O interface, a controller provided with a programmable logic controller and connected to the I/O interface of the welding controller through a field bus interface serving as communication means, a welding machine and a general-purpose-purpose peripheral equipment, wherein the welding controller controls the welding machine and the general-purpose-purpose peripheral equipment upon receipt of instructions from the programmable logic controller through the field bus interface.

Abstract: A numerical control device for compound machine tool has an interactive facility software to enable a working program and various sorts of data to be input in an interactive form. With the interactive facility software, various sorts of data such as a tool compensation amount required for a working operation and a work coordinate system can be read at any time by accessing to a memory storing a lathe turning control software and a milling control software.

Abstract: Featured is a device controller in a system having a multiplicity of such controllers and a conveying system and method for controlling a multiplicity of devices using such controllers. Each controller includes a plurality of bi-directional communications ports, a processor that processes information and provides outputs, where at least one output controls the device, and an applications program for execution within the processor that includes instructions and criteria for processing the information and providing the processor outputs. Specifically, the applications program includes instructions and criteria for communicating information between and among controllers; instructions and criteria for processing information received by a controller; and instructions and criteria for modifying the operation of a device responsive to the communicated information. For a conveying system having a multiplicity of conveying sections, a controller is provided for each section.

Abstract: Controlling software components for cutting machines are distributed in nature, and can be placed on any convenient processor on a network. Each is provided with its own network address, or specific ports are assigned thereto at a shared (e.g., IP or network) address, and the functionality of each component is executed without reference to its physical location on the network. Virtual machine components handle the collection of data from cutting machines, while a machine monitor component collects data from the virtual machine components. User interface interpreting and serving components are also distributed and portable, and a controlling user interface may therefore be accessed, viewed, and take user input wherever such tasks are most convenient. The changeable user interface permits machines, jobs, materials, and cutting elements to be managed centrally, or from distributed locations in the facility or on the Internet at large.

Abstract: There is provided a control circuit including (a) a first circuit for generating a three-phase PWM (pulse width modulation) signal, the circuit having functions of generating a PWM signal necessary for driving a three-phase invertor motor, generating interruption at a carrier period, and generating interruption at an intermediate point of a carrier period, and (b) a second circuit for generating an analog-digital start trigger in synchronization with a timing at which the PWM signal is output. For instance, the second circuit includes a first compare register having a two-staged structure, and a second compare register having a two-staged structure, and the first circuit includes a PWM timer. The first and second compare registers makes comparison with an output signal transmitted from the PWM timer to thereby generate the analog-digital start trigger.

Abstract: This invention relates to a control apparatus for numerical control in a cutting machine having a turret which can be rotated to arbitrary positions, and characterized by including means for obtaining turret axis data (&Dgr;X, &Dgr;Z) from reference offset values (X0, Z0) corresponding to a length from a cutting edge to a turret axis B, turret angle data &agr;, and cutting edge data (m, n), and moving the turret on the basis of these turret axis data (&Dgr;X, &Dgr;Z) to perform a cutting.

Abstract: A screen shifting method in a numerical control apparatus which includes a personal computer, comprising the steps of registering screen display processing libraries DLL; reading out all of the registered screen display processing libraries DLL when starting a screen shift execution program into a memory managed by an OS; managing the location of each of the screen display processing libraries DLL with a screen management table according to a discrete ID code; accepting a screen shift request when the screen shift execution program MMI application main module has been started and selecting a required screen display processing library DLL corresponding to the specified ID code from data in the screen management table; and executing screen shift according to the selected screen display processing library DLL.

Abstract: When a system is activated, a host computer reads modules from an external nonvolatile memory, reconstructs control software for a machine in accordance with a system configuration information storage file, and transfers the control software to a volatile memory of each numerical control device. Various types of modules are stored collectively in the external nonvolatile memory without duplication. In updating the control software, it is necessary only that data be updated for the software modules in the external nonvolatile memory alone.

Abstract: A technique for controlling a machining system having a plurality of machining stations for machining workpieces with a plurality of machining operations. Each of the plurality of machining operations is allocated automatically to a specific one of the machining stations to attain uniform utilization of the individual machining stations, to the extent possible. This facilitates the initial setup of the machining system as well as correcting the setup if machining errors or deviations occur.

Abstract: An information transmitting system for use in a factory, which is capable of transmitting information among controllers simply without the complicated lead-around of a communication line nor the need of complicated communication protocol. A controller every molding cell Ai, a conveyance controller C to control an automatic conveyance means D and a stock cell C and a centralized controller B are connected to each other via an Ethernet line (100) to provide a common information storage means (107), and information is transmitted among the controllers through the common information storage means (107). Since there is no need of parallel communication lines between the controllers, an I/O port or a communication line may be prevented from increasing in number and the lead-around of the communication line is prevented from being complicated, resulting in a reduction of cost required for setting up the devices.

Abstract: A numerically controlled machine tool which allows the automatic generation of a restoring program for carrying out processing required for the resumption of an NC machining program to resume the execution of the NC machining program after the execution of the NC machining program has been stopped and interrupt processing has been performed. Specifically, even for nesting programs, when the machining program is re-executed from where it had stopped after the execution of the machining program has stopped and the operator has performed optional interrupt processing, the stop-time and re-execution-time machine statuses are compared to automatically generate the restoring program so that the machine status may be returned to the stop-time status, whereby the operator can perform the resumption processing of the machining program without any restrictions.

Abstract: A method implemented by a computer controlled routing machine for generating memorial products having recessed memorial information therein is provided. The method includes inputting data representing memorial information into a computer to provide inputted data, processing the inputted data to provide instructions for controlling a routing machine, and routing memorial information into a metal surface according to the instructions to provide a memorial product. A computer controlled routing apparatus for generating memorial products having recessed memorial information therein is provided.

Abstract: A system for machining a component part having a race groove a along which ball elements run include a machine tool 3 for performing a machining operation on the component part, an acquisition unit 8 for acquiring information related to the machining operation, a control unit 4 for controlling the machine tool 3 based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 8, a remote information processor 10 installed at a site remote from the control unit 4, and a communication system 9 for connecting the control unit 4 and the remote information processor 10 through a communication line 12. The remote information processor 10 has a capability of acquiring the information, acquired by the acquisition unit 8, through the control unit 4 and the communication line 12 and transmitting such information to the control unit 4 so that the component part can be machined to suit to a particular machining condition while satisfying a stabilized dimension.

Abstract: When a system is activated, a host computer (2) reads modules from an external nonvolatile memory (3), reconstructs control software for a machine in accordance with a system configuration information storage file (CR), and transfers the control software to a volatile memory (b) of each numerical control device. Various types of modules are stored collectively in the external nonvolatile memory (3) without duplication. In updating the control software, it is necessary only that data be updated for the software modules in the external nonvolatile memory (3) alone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining a washing pattern of a direct drive inverter-type washing machine.

Abstract: A method implemented by a computer controlled routing machine for generating memorial products having recessed memorial information therein is provided. The method includes inputting data representing memorial information into a computer to provide inputted data, processing the inputted data to provide instructions for controlling a routing machine, and routing memorial information into a metal surface according to the instructions to provide a memorial product. A computer controlled routing apparatus for generating memorial products having recessed memorial information therein is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a maintenance system, which centrally performs a management operation on the life expectancies of expendable components of machine tools (21) provided in a plant for systematic maintenance of the machine tools (21). The maintenance system comprises a plurality of machine tools (21) and a management unit (20) connected to the machine tools (21). The management unit (20) comprises: a life expectancy determining section (92) for determining the degrees of wear of driver mechanisms on the basis of data indicative of the operating conditions of the driver mechanisms received from a controller (80) provided in each of the machine tools (21); a data storage section (91) for storing data indicative of the wear degrees determined by the life expectancy determining section (92), and an output section (93,95) for outputting information on the wear degrees stored in the data storage section (91).

Abstract: A data display/input method for a CNC apparatus without necessity of using a personal computer which has been served as a relaying device between the CNC apparatus and a host computer and also as a display device, and also capable of constructing an FA network system at low cost. A display screen of the CNC apparatus is split into first and second display areas so that information transferred from the host computer to the CNC apparatus is displayed in the first display area while information inputted to the CNC apparatus by the operator is displayed in the second display area. Display attributes in the CNC apparatus are switched in accordance with display attributes specified by the information transferred to the CNC apparatus from the host computer, whereby restrictions on a data display of the CNC apparatus are removed, permitting text data and graphic data to be displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a processing machine having the function of sensitively detect collisions or other abnormalities to prevent the machine from being operated under abnormal conditions. Means 22 is provided for detecting a load on a drive source 1 for driving a movable member 2. Abnormality determining means 23 is provided for determining the load is abnormal if the lead as detected by the abnormality means 22 exceeds an abnormality determination level (Lb). The abnormality determining means 23 sets the abnormality determination level (Lb) on the basis of the load as measured during the preceding driving operation of the movable member 2 or the average of loads as measured during several past driving operations that are temporally close to the current one.

Abstract: In a plant supervisory system, many computers (functional servers) that distributively perform functions are connected through two types of transmission paths (such as a control bus and an information bus). The control bus is used to transmit periodic data such as process data. Event data is transmitted through the information bus. Thus, many computers can be connected. In addition, the latest value of process data can be referenced by each computer.

Abstract: A robot apparatus for detecting a sound signal outputted from a sound signal generating unit to move to a position of the sound signal generating device, wherein the sound signal has a specific pattern, includes: at least three sound receiving unit (114) for receiving the sound signal; a phase difference detecting unit (118) for detecting a phase difference between each sound signal from the sound receiving unit (114); a processing unit (125) for determining a position of the sound generating unit using the phase difference, to generate a moving control signal; and a moving unit (130) for moving the robot apparatus in response to the moving control signal.

Abstract: A tool recognition and control system for electronically configuring certain systems of a work machine based upon the operating parameters associated with a particular work tool to be attached thereto, the work machine including systems operable to control the operation of a plurality of different work tools, each work tool having a set of operating parameters associated therewith which affect the operation of at least some of the systems of the work machine, the present control system identifying the particular work tool attached to the work machine based upon either a signal generated by a tool recognition system associated with the work tool when the work tool is attached to the work machine, or based upon operator selectable commands for selecting any one of a plurality of different sets of operating parameters based upon the particular work tool attached to the machine.

Abstract: This pneumatic machining machine comprises a toolholder spindle (14), pneumatic drive means ensuring the drive of the spindle (14) and a central unit (16) which stores programs for controlling the drive means for the execution of machining cycles as a function of the type of tool held by the spindle (14), said spindle (14) being equipped with means (20) for coding the type of tool which it carries, and the machine being provided with means (28) for reading the coding means, which are connected to the central unit (16) in order to supply the latter with information relating to the tool fitted to the spindle. The coding means (20) are arranged in the form of a set of grooves forming an optical code, and the reading means (28) comprise sets of optical fibers for detecting the presence of the grooves.

Abstract: A controller, for use with a fastener installation apparatus having a primary turret tooling head and an opposed reactionary tooling head, includes a data acquisition computer and several servomotors controlled by the computer for operatively connecting the computer to the primary tooling head turret for rotatably positioning the turret, and actuating the tools. The servo operated drive systems are computer operated and numerically controlled to position the turret relative to the work piece for accurate and repeatable positioning of the tools on the turret over the desired location of the hole without sacrificing desirable machine rigidity for some fastening operations. The system includes programming means operable to cause the computer to rotate the primary turret tooling head and actuate the tools using the computer numerically controlled servo motors for remotely controlling both the linear carriage position, the turret angular rotation, and actuation of the tools.

Abstract: The numerically controlled machining apparatus according to the invention displays data such as a tool reduction allowance, a tool core gap amount, and a tool shape and the like to a tool, which is set with displaying setting condition of a tool is set at the tool exchanging means, which detected by the tool set detecting means, and displays a tool setting condition by indicating a tool which is set in the tool exchanging means and that not set in the tool exchanging means with a different color respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for managing and distributing design and manufacturing information throughout a factory in order to facilitate the production of components, such as bent sheet metal components. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the management and distribution of critical design and manufacturing information is achieved by storing and distributing the design and manufacturing information associated with each job. By replacing the traditional paper job set-up or work sheet with, for example, an electronically stored job sheet that can be accessed instantaneously from any location in the factory, the present invention improves the overall efficiency of the factory. In addition, through the various aspects and features of the invention, the organization and accessibility of part information and stored expert knowledge is improved.

Abstract: A curved surface to be meshed and a tensor at each point on the curved surface are inputted. Then, bubbles are generated in parametric space corresponding to the curved surface and in accordance with tensors transformed according to the relationship between the curved surface and parametric space. Following this, the bubbles are moved in parametric space by inter-bubble force defined by a predetermined rule, and are transformed by using the transformed tensors. The number of the bubbles is also controlled, so that stable locations for the bubbles in parametric space can be determined. Next, a connection relationship between mesh nodes, which are centers of the bubbles located in parametric space, is determined in parametric space. Finally, a mesh is generated on the curved surface by employing the positions and the connection relationship of the mesh nodes.

Abstract: A method and system for transferring a wafer cassette between an Automated Guide Vehicle (AGV) and process equipment in a semiconductor fabrication facility involves transmitting a first signal from the AGV to the process equipment indicative of a cassette transfer request, checking whether the process equipment is in a suitable mode, setting the process equipment to the suitable mode after the checking step if the process equipment was not already in the suitable mode, and transferring the cassette between the AGV and the process equipment. A second transmitting step may be included, which sends a signal from the process equipment to the AGV authorizing the transfer of the cassette. The transmissions may be accomplished by wireless communications links such as a photo-coupled Parallel Input/Output link. A plurality of sensors may be used to detect whether a cassette is anywhere on a cassette stage during the checking step.

Abstract: Actual machining positions P1, P2, . . . corresponding to command positions S1, S2, S3 . . . of each block of NC data are obtained by trial machining. Positions that correspond symmetrically to the actual machining positions P1, P2, . . . with respect to the command positions S1, S2, S3 . . . of each block are obtained. Modified NC data are created with use of the symmetrical positions as modified command positions for each block. The modified NC data include correction values for modifying positional differences attributable to a delay in a servo system. Therefore, if machining is carried out in accordance with the modified NC data, the correction values and a follow-up delay attributable to the actual delay in the servo system cancel one another, so that a high-accuracy work shape can be obtained.

Abstract: A machining program checking method is provided for a numerical control device which controls an NC lathe for performing a machining operation with a plurality of tools simultaneously mounted on a turret thereof, wherein interference of the tools with a workpiece or with various parts of the lathe can be surely detected before the machining operation is actually executed.

Abstract: A programming language for programming industrial controllers in relay ladder logic language, the programming language including both extensions to standard RLL rung form itself and extensions wholly independent of the standard form. The language uses a plurality of templates, each template including truly reusable relay ladder language sections. Most templates also include specifications identifying other templates which provide additional language logic required to define job-specific aspects of the referencing template. Using the templates a machine tree can be provided which mirrors an industrial process. By compiling all of the templates, a relay ladder language program can be provided.

Abstract: The invention, that relates to a machine diagnosis system for the state-oriented operation monitoring of a machine, comprises a characteristic value module and a cause module. The characteristic value module, proceeding from machine-state referred measurement values, establishes diagnosis-relevant characteristic values, and the cause module diagnoses from the characteristic values a cause for the detected measurement values. There the cause module calculates for at least one possible cause in each case a cause probability which indicates with what probability the corresponding cause is responsible for the presence of the detected oscillation measurement values.

Abstract: Detecting section detects joint angles and the relative angle of rotation from a plurality of rotatable operating tools mounted on a single mobile platform of a construction machine. Interference distance calculator, having recorded predetermined point positions for each operating tool, derives the distances between the plurality of operating tools on the basis of the detection results and the point positions, and calculates the shortest approach distance from these distances. If this shortest approach distance is less than a prescribed set distance, anti-interference controller issues a warning to alarm via the output controller, and it outputs anti-interference control to hydraulic control section CC such that the approaching tool is halted or slowed down, or the velocity of the operating tool being approached is matched to that of the approaching tool depending on the set mode.

Abstract: A numerical controller includes a control section for controlling operation of a machine, an application section which is separated from the control section and adapted to input data into the control section and to monitor a control status, and a communication network for connecting the control section and the application section. This structure makes it possible to reduce the overall size of the numerical controller. A program for a new function or an abnormality diagnosis program is also transmitted from the application section to the control section when required.