Patents Assigned to Fanuc LTD
  • Publication number: 20110095716
    Abstract: A motor driver for a machine tool, which comprises a fan motor, configured to drive a cooling fan for cooling a radiator or the interior of the motor driver, estimates a rate of heat release within a heating element or the motor driver, based on information obtained from a motor current detector used for motor control or from an input current detector of the motor driver, and adjusts a fan motor power supply voltage to control a rotational speed of the fan motor in accordance with the estimated heat release value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Shigeki HANYU, Shinichi HORIKOSHI, Yasusuke IWASHITA
  • Publication number: 20110097184
    Abstract: A parallel link robot (10) provided with a base (11), a moving part (12), three links (20a to 20c) coupling the base and the moving part and having respectively single degrees of freedom with respect to the base, and three actuators (13a to 13c) respectively driving the links, each of the links comprised of a drive link (21a to 21c) coupled with the base and two driven links (22a to 22c, 23a to 23c) coupling the drive link and the moving part and parallel to each other, and further provided with a posture changing mechanism (15) which changes a posture of an element (19) attached to the moving part, an additional actuator (13d to 13f) arranged between the two driven links of at least one link in parallel to these driven links, and a power transmission shaft (39) which extends coaxially from the additional actuator and transmits rotational drive force to the posture changing mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Satoshi KINOSHITA, Tomoaki NAGAYAMA, Masahiro YAMAMOTO, Hidenori KUREBAYASHI, Katsumi FUJIMOTO, Tokitaka UEMURA
  • Patent number: 7932689
    Abstract: A motor drive system is provided with a plurality of axis control parts for outputting PWM commands using a position command, a plurality of current supply parts which supply current to the respective windings based on the PWM commands of the respective axis control parts, and which are connected to the respective windings, a motor position detector for outputting a signal of a rotor position of the motor, a first signal supply part for supplying the output signal to one current supply part of the plurality of current supply parts, and a second signal supply part for supplying the signal supplied through the first signal supply part to an axis control part corresponding to one current supply part, and the corresponding axis control part outputs a PWM command based on the signal supplied from the one current supply part through the second signal supply part to the corresponding axis control part and the position command, and the remaining axis control part outputs the PWM command based on the signal supplied f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Yasusuke Iwashita, Tadashi Okita, Yukio Toyozawa, Kazuomi Maeda
  • Publication number: 20110089935
    Abstract: A center voltage of an analog signal from a magnetic sensor is measured to match a reference voltage with the center voltage. Then, a combination of portions to be disconnected of adjustment patterns 1 and 2 of adjustment circuits 1 and 2 is determined so that the reference voltage is adjusted to the measured center voltage, and the portions are disconnected. The adjustment circuits 1 and 2 respectively include recovery patterns 1 and 2. If an adjustment pattern 1 and 2 is erroneously disconnected, the corresponding recovery pattern 1 and 2 is short-circuited by means of soldering or the like to short-circuit the adjustment pattern 1 and 2 once again.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Mitsuyuki TANIGUCHI, Hirofumi KIKUCHI, Tokuhisa MATSUKANE
  • Publication number: 20110089146
    Abstract: A spot welding system including spot welding gun having a movable electrode driven by a servo motor, a counter electrode arranged facing it and with a multiarticulated robot, holding one of the welding workpiece and spot welding gun which moves welding workpiece and spot welding gun relative to each other and thereby make the movable electrode and the welding workpiece approach each other from a separated state or vice-versa, monitoring the current or torque of the servo motor, and detecting the surface position of the welding workpiece from the position of the movable electrode and the position of the multiarticulated robot when the trend of the current or torque changes. The precision of detection of the surface position of the welding workpiece by a movable electrode in a spot welding system can now be improved without lengthening the time required for detection of the surface position of the welding workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Hiromitsu TAKAHASHI, Toshimichi AOKI, Akinori Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20110093666
    Abstract: A memory other than a non-volatile memory in a numerical controller is divided into a plurality of memory areas in response to a command from a computer connected to the numerical controller. Whether a machining program has been stored in each of the divided memory areas is decided before a machining program stored on a hard disk in the computer is transferred to the memory other than the non-volatile memory. The machining program stored on the hard disk is then written to an area for which it is determined that no machining program is stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Takahiko ENDO, Yasushi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7928682
    Abstract: A numerical controller capable of performing axis reconfiguration of control axes in at least two paths without need for the paths to wait. A program block is read and it is determined whether or not the read block includes an axis detachment command. If the block includes the axis detachment command block, an action axis attribute of an control axis designated by the axis detachment command is altered to a non-action axis attribute. Further, if the read block includes an axis allocation command, it is determined whether or not an control axis designated by the axis allocation command becomes a non-action axis, and when the control axis has the non-action axis attribute, the non-action axis attribute of the control axis is altered to a designated path's action axis attribute. Thus, the axis reconfiguration processing in one path can be performed separately from axis reconfiguration processing in another path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Makoto Haga, Masahiko Hosokawa
  • Publication number: 20110087373
    Abstract: There is provided a device for evaluating and correcting a robot operation program for evaluating an appropriateness for the robot operation program and correcting the robot operation program, comprising a computer including a simulation function for confirming a robot operation. The computer includes a load calculation section for calculating a load given to a motor for driving an operating portion of the robot by a simulation conducted by a computer; and an evaluation section for evaluating, by an evaluation function, whether or not the load exceeds a predetermined allowed value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Yoshiharu NAGATSUKA, Toshiya TAKEDA
  • Patent number: 7923956
    Abstract: A control device, for a servo die cushion, capable of improving a response after overshoot generated by collision of a slide and a die cushion. The control device has a local maximum point judging part which judges a local maximum point based on the detected speed of the servomotor; a speed correction value calculating part which calculates a speed correction value for the servomotor based on the judgment result and the detected speed of the slide; a second force commanding part which generates a second force command value, the second force command value decreasing from an initial value to a first force command value, the initial value being equal to the force detected value when reaching generally the local maximum point. The force command value is switched from the first force command value to the second force command value, when the force detected value reaches the local maximum point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Yasusuke Iwashita, Tadashi Okita, Hiroyuki Kawamura, Satoshi Ikai
  • Patent number: 7923670
    Abstract: A fan motor is mounted on the upper wall of the casing. The lower surface of this upper wall is formed into an inclined surface in which inclination is formed from the front wall side of the casing toward a back wall across from the front wall. When the fan motor is driven, oil mist or moisture contained in the air are condensed into water droplets or oil droplets. These water droplets or oil droplets fall and flow to the inner wall surface of the upper wall of the casing along the inner peripheral wall of a vent hole. Then the water droplets or oil droplets flow along the profile line of a vent hole smoothly (without stopping) and roll down the side wall of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Hirano, Kazuyuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 7915848
    Abstract: A servo control apparatus that performs dual-position feedback control and thereby achieves a reduction in position error according to the purpose of machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Yasusuke Iwashita, Tadashi Okita, Yukio Toyozawa, Kazuomi Maeda
  • Patent number: 7915851
    Abstract: Initial speeds in the move commands for respective control axes at servo-on are determined according to parameter setting, or the comparative relationship or difference in speed among the actual speeds of the control axes so that difference in position between the control axes does not increase as the move commands are executed after the servo-on. The actual speeds of the control axes are set as initial speeds in the move commands, and a target axis is specified on the basis of the comparative relationship among their actual speeds and the other control axes are accelerated or decelerated at the acceleration or deceleration rate specified in the move commands to attain the position and speed of the target axis, so that differences in position and speed among the control axes are gradually decreased as the move commands are executed after the servo-on, thereby preventing abrupt speed changes and suppressing mechanical shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Tetsuo Hishikawa, Takashi Idei
  • Patent number: 7912584
    Abstract: A power consumption estimation apparatus comprising an execution part for executing an operation program of a robot, a velocity calculation part for each axis drive motor of the robot, a torque calculation part for each axis drive motor, a current value calculation part for calculating a current value of each axis drive motor; a mechanical work calculation part; a motor heat amount calculation part; and an amplifier heat amount calculation part for each axis drive motor, an output electric energy calculation part for the robot controller, a controller heat calculation part for the robot controller, and a power consumption calculation part for the robot system based on the mechanical work of each axis drive motor, the amount of heat of each axis drive motor, the amount of heat of the amplifier, and the amount of heat of the robot controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Nagatsuka, Hiroshi Nakagawa, Engaku Ryou
  • Publication number: 20110063122
    Abstract: Signals from a plurality of sensors (vibration sensors, temperature sensors, and humidity sensors) disposed at places on a machine are input through a communication circuit to a numerical controller that controls the machine. The numerical controller uses vibration information, temperature information and humidity information obtained from these sensors to determine whether the machine is in an abnormal state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Shunsuke MATSUBARA, Yasusuke Iwashita, Shinichi Horikoshi, Akira Hirai, Hiroyasu Sato
  • Patent number: 7905692
    Abstract: An angle adjusting mechanism or a linear axis of a processing machine is provided with a reciprocation device. A tool and a tool cutting mechanism are mounted on a moving part of the reciprocation device. A workpiece is processed by the tool based on a combination of the drive of the processing machine and the drive of the reciprocation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Masayuki Hamura, Kenzo Ebihara
  • Publication number: 20110057599
    Abstract: A trajectory display device capable of correctly quantifying an error of a three-dimensional trajectory of a machine tool, and displaying or outputting the error. The trajectory display device has a command line segment defining part adapted to define a command line segment which connects two temporally adjacent points, in relation to each commanded position; an error calculating part adapted to define a normal line extending from the actual position to each command line segment and calculate an error of the actual position relative to a commanded trajectory, the error being determined as a shorter one between a length of a shortest normal line among the defined normal lines and a length of a line segment extending from the actual position to a commanded position which is the nearest from the actual position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Yasusuke IWASHITA, Tadashi Okita, Junichi Tezuka, Kazuyuki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7904205
    Abstract: A method of opening a network in a manufacturing system, the system including a plurality of robots, a plurality of robot controllers individually controlling the robots and a plurality of networks connecting the robot controllers with each other. The method includes the steps of opening a first network to the plurality of robot controllers, by setting, in each of the plurality of robot controllers, conditions, including addresses, required for opening the first network; designating an address range prepared in the first network for robot controllers to which a second network is opened and which is selected from among the plurality of robot controllers; and opening the second network to the robot controllers addressed within the address range designated in the first network, by setting, through the first network, conditions required for opening the second network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Hirohiko Kobayashi, Yoshiharu Nagatsuka
  • Patent number: 7901167
    Abstract: When a slide member mounted with a tool reciprocates on a guide member reach one end and the other end positions of the guide member, permanent magnets provided on the guide member and the permanent magnets provided on the slide member repel each other to give the guide member forces for reversing its moving direction. The guide member is provided to be movable with respect to a base and repulsive forces between permanent magnets provided on the base and permanent magnets provided on the guide member are used to retain an axial position of the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Masayuki Hamura, Kenzo Ebihara
  • Patent number: 7904201
    Abstract: A robot programming device, in which the teaching of the cooperative motion of a plurality of robots may be carried out in a short time so as to reduce the number of man-hours for starting-up a robot system including the robots. The robot system includes two handling robots each having a hand for gripping a workpiece and a welding robot having a welding torch, a robot controller for controlling the robots, a personal computer with a robot programming device connected to the controller, and a teaching operation panel connected to the controller for teaching each robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Nagatsuka, Kozo Inoue
  • Patent number: 7904207
    Abstract: There is provided a device for evaluating and correcting a robot operation program for evaluating an appropriateness for the robot operation program and correcting the robot operation program, comprising a computer including a simulation function for confirming a robot operation. The computer includes a load calculation section for calculating a load given to a motor for driving an operating portion of the robot by a simulation conducted by a computer; and an evaluation section for evaluating, by an evaluation function, whether or not the load exceeds a predetermined allowed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Nagatsuka, Toshiya Takeda