Supervisory Control (e.g., Plural Tools Or Plural Processors) Patents (Class 700/169)
  • Patent number: 11951578
    Abstract: A cutting fluid digital monitoring and management system and method are provided, applicable to a computer numerical control (CNC) machining device. The CNC machining device has a cutting fluid tank configured to accommodate a cutting fluid. The cutting fluid digital monitoring and management system includes: a detection tank, configured to extract a cutting fluid from the cutting fluid tank through a motor and an electrically controlled water valve; a concentration sensing module, a pH sensing module, a water hardness sensing module, and a temperature sensing module, respectively configured to obtain a concentration, a pH value, a hardness, and a temperature of the cutting fluid; a processing module, configured to generate a monitoring integration value, compare the monitoring integration value with a standard model, and generate an adjustment signal; and an adjustment module, configured to actively adjust a variable parameter of the cutting fluid according to the adjustment signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: NATIONAL KAOHSIUNG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chun-Chih Kuo, Jyun-Wei Gu, Cheng-Yu Yang
  • Patent number: 11862921
    Abstract: A connector insert device for automatic switching of connector fixture includes terminal fixing portions clipping a wire, a wire storage portion storing groups of wires, transferring portions configured to store the wire clipped by the terminal fixing portion in the wire storage portion through a conveying portion, a connector fixing portion storing connectors, and an insert portion inserting the groups of wires in the wire storage portion into the connector fixing portion through the conveying portion. Each terminal fixing portion includes a terminal fixing base, a terminal clipping base, and a terminal gripper. The terminal clipping base is rotatably connected with the terminal fixing base through a terminal connecting shaft. The terminal gripper is connected with the terminal clipping base. The terminal fixing portion rotates the wire to a predetermined angle. The transferring portions clip the wire and places the wire in the wire storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CITY LINQUAN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Donglin Gao
  • Patent number: 11846932
    Abstract: A part processing planning method includes the following steps. Firstly, a specific tolerance of a nominal size of a part is obtained. Then, a predetermined tolerance of each of processes is obtained. Then, using a process dimension chain establishing technique, at least one predetermined tolerance associated with the specification tolerance from the predetermined tolerances is obtained. Then, at least one predetermined tolerance associated with the specification tolerance is accumulated to obtain a size cumulative tolerance. Then, whether the size cumulative tolerance meets the specification tolerance is determined. Then, at least one predetermined tolerance associated with the specification tolerance is re-allocated when the cumulative tolerance does not meet the specification tolerance, such that the size cumulative tolerance is within the specification tolerance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yi-Ping Huang, Hsuan-Yu Huang, Shu-Hui Yang, Po-Nien Tsou, Ming-Cheng Tsai, Chen-Kun Tsung
  • Patent number: 11822323
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a corrective solution recommendation for an industrial machine failure, the method including: monitoring a plurality of segments of at least an industrial machine behavioral model to identify a first segment having at least a first set of characteristics associated with a previous machine failure; determining a corrective solution recommendation that solved the previous machine failure; identifying at least a second set of characteristics associated with a second segment; and generating a notification comprising the corrective solution recommendation when the second set of characteristics is determined to be similar to the first set of characteristics above a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: David Lavid Ben Lulu, Waseem Ghrayeb
  • Patent number: 11823328
    Abstract: The model generation system may generate a 3D object model based on computer aided design (CAD) data describing an object. The CAD data received by the CAD conversion module 160 may contain a set of surfaces for the object. Each surface may be described by a surface equation that describes the shape of the surface in a 3D space. The model generation system may extract those surface equations from the CAD data and generate field lines and equipotential lines. The field lines may be lines that are tangent to the gradient vector field of the surface, and the equipotential lines may be lines along the surface that designate points that have the same potential within the gradient field vector. The model generation system may use the field lines and the equipotential lines to generate quadrangular tessellations for a 3D object model for the object described by the CAD data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: NexTech AR Solutions Corp.
    Inventors: Nima Sarshar, Max Hwang
  • Patent number: 11799401
    Abstract: A master device of a drive system transmits identification information of each first period and a first transmission synchronization signal for each first period of a reference period. A first controller adjusts a phase of each first control period such that the first control period is synchronized with a timing associated with a specific first synchronization signal. A second controller adjusts a phase of each second control period such that the second control period is synchronized with a timing associated with a specific second synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soichiro Ichikawa, Masashi Nakamura, Takumi Ito
  • Patent number: 11782405
    Abstract: An operating device for a machine tool, the operating device comprising at least one spindle or electrospindle, sensor means to measure at least one operating parameter of the operating device and an electronic control unit, which comprises a processing and control unit, data acquisition devices configured to acquire machine data concerning the operation of the machine tool, a memory to store measured values of the operating parameter of the operating device and the machine data, and a communication module, preferably wireless, configured to transmit the measured values and the machine data to a server, which is remotely accessible and comprises a database, and/or to a mobile communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventors: Paolo Giuseppe Fulvio Galli, Stefano Benedettini
  • Patent number: 11632896
    Abstract: A working vehicle includes a vehicle body to be coupled to a working device, a communication controller to obtain first operation information relating to operation of the working device, the communication controller being electrically connected to the working device to communicate bi-directionally with the working device, an applicability judging device to judge applicability of the working device to the operation based on the first operation information obtained by the communication controller, and a display device to display the applicability judged by the applicability judging part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fulvio Zerbino
  • Patent number: 11628609
    Abstract: A state determination device acquires data on an injection molding machine and stores conditions for classifying the acquired data on the injection molding machine and a plurality of learning models. The state determination device further classifies the acquired data based on the stored classification conditions and settles a learning model to which the classified data are applied, among the plurality of stored learning models. Subsequently, the state determination device performs machine learning for the learning model settled as an application destination, based on the classified data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 11593731
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a supply chain including a production system. Sensor data is received from a sensor in the production system or elsewhere in the supply chain. The sensor data identifies an event in the production system or elsewhere in the supply chain. Event information for the event is stored in an events blockchain. The event information from the events blockchain is used in a process model simulation of the production system or the supply chain to identify an undesirable condition in the production system or elsewhere in the supply chain. System theoretic process analysis is used to identify a change in the production system or elsewhere in the supply chain to prevent occurrence of the undesirable condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Hunt, Lori S. Smith
  • Patent number: 11556122
    Abstract: A vehicle control device for an AGV includes a call box having a user interface and a manual activation element at the user interface accessible to a user. The manual activation element generates a manual call signal. The vehicle control device includes an automated activation element operably coupled to a sensor and receiving a sensor signal from the sensor. The automated activation element generates an automated call signal based on the sensor signal without user intervention. The vehicle control device includes a communication device held by the call box that receives the manual call signal and receiving the automated call signal and communicates with the AGV to trigger operation of the AGV based on both the manual call signal and the automated call signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventors: Swapnilsinh Solanki, Anthony L. Swann, Andrew Spisak, Roberto Francisco-Yi Lu, Jiankun Zhou
  • Patent number: 11517993
    Abstract: A control device of a machine including: an operating condition analyzing unit that analyzes an operating condition of the program, and performs a notification when the tool to be exchanged is not adjusted; an operating condition storage unit that stores the operating condition of the program at a time of exchanging the tool; a state restoration confirming unit that confirms whether an internal state of the machine and/or the control device is restorable so that an operation of a predetermined block of the program is performed again after the operation and a stop of the predetermined block after exchanging the tool; and a state restoration executing unit that, in a case in which the internal state is confirmed to be restorable, restores the internal state to a state at the time of exchanging the tool based on the stored operating condition of the program at the time of exchanging the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yamato Iwamura
  • Patent number: 11514133
    Abstract: Methods manage non-destructive evaluation (“NDE”) data. NDE data for an asset is received and at least one alignment algorithm to align the NDE data to a simulated model associated therewith is determined. The NDE data is automatically aligned to the simulated model, a display representation that visually represents the aligned NDE data on the simulated model is generated, and information about the aligned NDE data is exported. Additionally, second NDE data associated with the at least a portion of the asset may also be received, at least one alignment algorithm to align the data determined, and the second NDE data aligned. Respective indications associated with the first and second NDE data may be determined and visually represented on the simulated model. Moreover, a shot descriptor file may be analyzed to determine whether additional NDE data is required to complete an alignment of NDE data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Etegent Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Sharp, Richard A. Roth, II, Uriah M. Liggett, Joseph M. Kesler
  • Patent number: 11487291
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes a main CPU configured to output a position command value, a plurality of integrated circuits connected to the main CPU and provided depending on the number of a plurality of motors, and a plurality of sub-CPUs connected to the plurality of corresponding respective integrated circuits, wherein each of the plurality of integrated circuits includes a motor interface control unit that outputs a drive command value to an amplifier that drives each of the motors in such a way as to move the motor to a position of the position command value. Each of the plurality of sub-CPUs controls an output of the drive command value by the motor interface control unit in the integrated circuit connected to the sub-CPU, based on the position command value and a position feedback value of the motor being read via the integrated circuit connected to the sub-CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Miura, Takaaki Itou
  • Patent number: 11467569
    Abstract: A simulation device includes a first simulation circuitry to simulate the operation performed by a programmable controller in accordance with a first program, and second simulation circuitry to simulate the operation performed by a motion controller in accordance with a second program. Further, there is a data sharing memory into and from which the first simulation circuitry and the second simulation circuitry are allowed to write and read data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masamitsu Hattori, Isei Kaku, Tomoya Shimizu
  • Patent number: 11435721
    Abstract: A personal computer for setting of parameters of a machine tool acquires adjusted parameters, adjusted by a numerical controller or a simulator, from the numerical controller or the simulator, makes a comparison between an axis configuration of the machine tool set up by a user and an axis configuration of the adjusted parameter adjusted by the numerical controller or the simulator, and converts the axis configuration of the adjusted parameters into the axis configuration set up by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akinobu Fukumoto, Tooru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11360749
    Abstract: A device for dynamically generating numerical controller software of machine tool includes a software function-specification managing unit, a function-module storage unit and a function-module composing unit. The software function-specification managing unit is to produce a text description file describing function modules required by the numerical controller software, and then for performing specification analysis upon the text description file to generate a function module table including the function modules. The function-module storage unit is to memorize and manage the function modules, wherein the function-module storage unit confirms whether or not the function-module storage unit has been furnished with the f function modules required by the numerical controller software. The function-module composing unit is to retrieve the required function modules from the function-module storage unit, and further to set the connection among the function modules to compose the numerical controller software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Wan-Kun Chang, Tzuo-Liang Luo, Shuo-Peng Liang
  • Patent number: 11249456
    Abstract: A method may include generating, by a camera having a view of an interior portion of a computer-numerically-controlled machine, an image comprising a pattern. The image can be transformed into a set of machine instructions for controlling the computer-numerically-controlled machine to effect a change in a material. The change can correspond to at least a portion of the pattern. At least one machine instruction from the set of machine instructions can be executed to control the computer-numerically-controlled machine to effect at least a portion of the change. The execution can include operating, in accordance with the at least one machine instruction, a tool coupled with the computer-numerically-controlled machine. The tool can configured to effect the change on the material. Related systems and articles of manufacture, including computer program products, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Glowforge Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Shapiro, Mark Gosselin, Anthony Wright, Jonathan Park, Kevin McVey, Scott Haug, Rachael Ludwick, Daniel Martinec
  • Patent number: 11215972
    Abstract: Provided are a numerical controller, a numerical control method, and a numerical control program capable of suppressing reduction in machining surface quality while increasing machining efficiency. A numerical controller comprises: a program analysis unit that analyzes a machining program for controlling a machine tool and calculates a cumulative moving distance for each command block based on a designated coordinate; a control point generation unit that generates, based on the moving distance and a designated speed for each command block, a control point as a set of the moving distance and the speed at a start point and an end point in the command block; a commanded speed generation unit that generates a parametric curve defining a commanded speed for the moving distance based on the control points; and a commanded speed output unit that outputs the generated commanded speed per interpolation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Uenishi
  • Patent number: 11199294
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved metalworking lubricant monitoring, logging, recording, calculating, analyzing, alerting and reporting apparatus, system and method that monitors data and changes to the lubricant application process and the amount and concentration of lubricant being dispensed or delivered, analyzes, calculates and records data and changes or alterations to the amount dispensed, and alerts or reports the data and changes in real-time, when necessary, over various communication channels, to those responsible for overseeing the system changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL REFINING & MANUFACTURING CO.
    Inventors: Frank Joseph Kenny, Steve John Glowacz
  • Patent number: 11188054
    Abstract: A parameter setting device sets parameters for driving a machine in which a numerical controller is incorporated. The parameter setting device uses a machine configuration file in which information is described pertaining to the configuration of the machine. Furthermore, the parameter setting device is equipped with a parameter generating unit for generating parameters based on the machine configuration file, and a parameter setting unit for setting the generated parameters in the numerical controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuomi Maeda, Kunihiro Honma
  • Patent number: 11175645
    Abstract: Provided are a numerical controller, a numerical control method, and a numerical control program capable of suppressing reduction in machining surface quality while increasing machining efficiency. A numerical controller comprises: a program analysis unit that analyzes a machining program for controlling a machine tool and calculates a cumulative moving distance for each command block based on a designated coordinate; a control point generation unit that generates, based on the moving distance and a designated speed for each command block, a control point as a set of the moving distance and the speed at a start point and an end point in the command block; a commanded speed generation unit that generates a parametric curve defining a commanded speed for the moving distance based on the control points; and a commanded speed output unit that outputs the generated commanded speed per interpolation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Uenishi
  • Patent number: 11156990
    Abstract: A production management system includes a plurality of production facilities, a first operation instruction provider, and a management device. The first operation instruction provider gives a first operator an instruction to deliver workpiece into and out of a predetermined one of the production facilities in accordance with a production plan and operating statuses of the production facilities and acquires an operation status of each of the first operators. The management device transmits, to the production facility into which the workpiece has been delivered, process data for activation of the production facility in accordance with the status of delivery of the workpiece into and out of each of the production facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Tsuzuki, Tatsuo Oshiumi
  • Patent number: 11119633
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program which are capable of improving convenience. The information processing device includes a control unit that selects a target position, at which an operation of setting related to a menu item is performed, in one or a plurality of menu pages in which the menu item is displayed, and performs setting processing corresponding to determination of the selection in a case where an instruction for the determination of the selection is given. The present technology is applicable to an imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10962961
    Abstract: A tracking computing system detects tracking indicia provided on or embedded within cutting implements to be deployed at a processing facility. Periodic implement scans can be performed by one or more mobile computing devices to detect tracking indicia and to determine state data associated with the cutting implements. The state data can be determined at different stages within a processing cycle. The absence of state data for a tracking indicium at one or more stages of the processing cycle may be detected and used to initiate a control action with respect to a potentially missing cutting implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: WOLFF INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: David Wolff, Kalen Caple, John Petty
  • Patent number: 10895865
    Abstract: A numerical controller capable of temporarily executing dedicated function software includes a dedicated function software reading unit configured to read, in response to a reading condition being satisfied, the dedicated function software into a primary storage area mainly accessed by a CPU, dedicated function software execution unit configured to execute the dedicated function software as a process in response to an execution condition being satisfied, and a dedicated function software termination unit configured to stop execution of the process of the dedicated function software and delete the dedicated function software from the primary storage area in response to a termination condition being satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Endou
  • Patent number: 10808758
    Abstract: A coordinate measuring apparatus is provided having at least one measuring system and at least one support structure on which the measuring system is disposed, wherein the measuring system is displaceably mounted in the support structure and/or the support structure is displaceably mounted, and wherein the coordinate measuring apparatus includes an air bearing arrangement for mounting two components to be movable relative to one another. The air bearing arrangement includes at least one air bearing which provides a compressed air cushion between the components, wherein the air bearing has at least one compressed air supply line by way of which the compressed air can be provided, wherein a flow rate meter by way of which the flow rate of compressed air to the air bearing can be detected is provided in the compressed air supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Engel
  • Patent number: 10795341
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for controlling operation of a numerically controlled machine tool (100), the system comprising a back-end control device (300) and a front-end control device (200) communicably connected to the back-end control device (300). The back-end control device (300) comprises a numerical controller (310), a programmable logic controller (320), a first communication interface (330) being communicably connected to the numerical controller (310) and the programmable logic controller (320), and an interface server module (410) of a second communication interface (400) being communicably connected to the first communication interface (330).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: DMG MORI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, DMG MORI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Reinhold Seitz, Dominic Schindler, Peter Pruschek
  • Patent number: 10778461
    Abstract: In an appliance control system, a receiver receives, from a terminal device used by a first user, an instruction for remotely controlling an appliance installed in a home. A determiner determines whether a second user is present in a location in which an appliance-to-be-instructed is installed. When it is determined that the second user is not present in a location in which the appliance-to-be-instructed is installed, an appliance controller controls the appliance on the basis of the instruction. On the other hand, when it is determined that the second user is present in the location in which the appliance-to-be-instructed is installed, the appliance controller does not control the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Minezawa, Ichiro Maruyama, Masaaki Yabe, Toshiaki Yoshikawa, Hirotoshi Yano, Daisuke Iizawa, Kenichiro Tanaka, Takashi Ogino, Shinji Nakamura, Masayuki Komatsu, Yuki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10761512
    Abstract: A numerical controller which can provide an interface that performs a safe task control for addition of an original function includes a memory management unit that develops, on a memory, a program executed by a task, an execution time calculation unit that calculates an execution time of the task, an execution condition setting unit that sets an execution condition of the task based on the results of execution of the memory management unit and the execution time calculation unit, a task monitoring unit that monitors the state of an arithmetic unit and determine the arithmetic unit to which the task is assigned, and a task control unit that registers and starts the task in the assigned arithmetic unit, based on the execution condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Yuuki Sakayori, Akira Kanemaru
  • Patent number: 10732611
    Abstract: A system (100) and method for generating machining control data of a numerical control machine tool. The system (100) comprises a server (10) and at least one terminal device (30). The server (10) is installed with computer-aided manufacturing software, a numerical control machine tool model library and a cutter and fixture library. The terminal device (30) is connected to the server (10) through the Internet (20) to generate machining program data of a part model and/or to carry out machining simulation of a part model. The method for generating machining control data of a numerical control machine tool comprises: sending a part model file to the server (10) through the Internet (20); and generating program code that can be executed by the numerical control machine tool. The system (100) and the method have the beneficial technical effects of being convenient to operate, low in cost and flexible and easy to use and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SHENYANG MACHINE TOOL (GROUP) RESEARCH & DESIGN INSTITUTE CO., LTD. SHANGHAI BRANCH
    Inventors: Tao Yu, Rongchang Zhu, Yunjie Tang, Xiao Xia, Qi Huang, Hongwei Liu, Chao Peng, Zhenxia Wang, Peng Zeng, Xiang Fan, Shenggang Cui
  • Patent number: 10719065
    Abstract: A system of monitoring and controlling an operation, comprising: an input means, the input means is adapted for user to input user-defined parameters, a middleware application in connection with the input means via a network, the middleware application is in communication with a directory database and also a relational database management system via communication means, a data management system being installed as a slave program in the middleware application and as a slave program in one more external server or external device, the middleware application is in communication with the external servers or device via communication means, whereby the master-slave relation allows exchange of data between the middleware application and the server architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: IIA TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: Vishal Jatin Mehta
  • Patent number: 10663950
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control system for controlling operation of a numerically controlled machine tool (100), the system comprising a back-end control device (300) and a front-end control device (200) communicably connected to the back-end control device (300). The back-end control device (300) comprises a numerical controller (310), a programmable logic controller (320), a first communication interface (330) being communicably connected to the numerical controller (310) and the programmable logic controller (320), and an interface server module (410) of a second communication interface (400) being communicably connected to the first communication interface (330).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: DMG MORI AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, DMG MORI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Reinhold Seitz, Dominic Schindler, Peter Pruschek
  • Patent number: 10656617
    Abstract: A computer numerical control (CNC) machining center is provided. The CNC machining center includes a spindle that receives a cutting tool. A work surface is operably arranged adjacent the spindle. A non-contact three-dimensional (3D) measurement device is operably coupled to the tool mount, the 3D measurement device including a projector and at least one device camera, the at least one camera being arranged to receive light from the light source that is reflected off of a surface. A plurality of targets is provided with at least one of the targets coupled to the 3D measurement device. At least two photogrammetry cameras are provided having a orientation and a field of view to acquire images of the targets. A controller is coupled for communication to the 3D measurement device and the at least two cameras, the controller determining the position of the 3D measurement device within the machining center during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Pfeffer, Markus Grau
  • Patent number: 10549397
    Abstract: A conveyor in a machine tool system is dynamically controlled. A volume of material to be conveyed by the conveyor is iteratively determined. During each iteration, a current position of a tool is determined. An intersection of a tool model representing the tool at the current position and a workpiece model representing a workpiece is determined and a nominal volume of material removed from the workpiece by the tool based on the intersection of the tool model and the workpiece model is determined. The volume of material to be conveyed is updated based on the nominal volume of material removed from the workpiece and an operating state of the conveyor. The operating state of the conveyor is controlled based on the updated volume of material to be conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: HAAS AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventor: Jacob Steven Aldridge
  • Patent number: 10521724
    Abstract: Provided is a numerical controller that is capable of determining a proper timing of swarf discharge and allows an operator to change a swarf discharge method and examine appropriateness of the timing of the swarf discharge on an as needed basis, the numerical controller including a simulation unit that executes a simulation in which a workpiece is machined based on a machining program, a rendered workpiece volume calculation unit that calculates the volume of a rendered workpiece representing the shape of the workpiece rendered by the simulation, and a swarf accumulation amount prediction unit that predicts, based on the volume of the initial rendered workpiece when execution of the simulation is started and the volume of the rendered workpiece when execution of each block included in the machining program is completed, a swarf accumulation amount when the execution of the block is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Giichi Nakanishi, Hideaki Maeda, Yorikazu Fukui
  • Patent number: 10416653
    Abstract: A parameter setting device sets parameters for driving a machine in which a numerical controller is incorporated. The parameter setting device uses a machine configuration file in which information is described pertaining to the configuration of the machine. Furthermore, the parameter setting device is equipped with a parameter generating unit for generating parameters based on the machine configuration file, and a parameter setting unit for setting the generated parameters in the numerical controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuomi Maeda, Kunihiro Honma
  • Patent number: 10402245
    Abstract: Each task assigned to a core can be considered an “active” task. Sequential strobe signals of a watchdog signal can be spaced apart in time by a certain duration. The duration between strobe signals is longer than the expected duration of an active task. By knowing that all tasks being monitored are expected to execute within an expected amount of time, the duration between the strobe signals can be set to be longer than that expected amount of time. If a task has not transitioned to inactive by a next strobe, a watchdog error has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Moyer
  • Patent number: 10334008
    Abstract: Interfacing between radio units in a base station in a mobile communication system uses a common public radio interface CPRI for streaming IQ data samples arranged in lanes. A separate serial interface sRIO is now additionally used for transferring selected data samples arranged in packets, the selected samples corresponding to selected lanes streamed between other radio units via the common public radio interface. In the radio unit, the selected data samples are arranged in packets to be transmitted via the serial interface, and, vice versa, the selected data samples arranged in packets received via the serial interface are arranged in lanes. A system timer coupled to the CPRI generates a timebase for controlling the sRIO interface in order to have it synchronized. Advantageously the data sample transfer capacity of the streaming CPRI interface is extended using the packet based serial interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Shor, Ori Goren, Avraham Horn, Avraham Rabinovich
  • Patent number: 10263979
    Abstract: An identification code generating system and method thereof using a virtual reality process includes a first electronic device and a second electronic device. The first electronic device displays an identification frame with identification information. The second electronic device further acquires the identification frame by an image acquiring unit, and overlaps an overlapping frame on the identification frame so as to provide an identification code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Tsung Pan, Chi-Hao Li, Yu-Ching Chen, Xiao-Juan Zou, Ching-Fen Tsai
  • Patent number: 10257310
    Abstract: Cloud-aware industrial devices feed robust sets of data to a cloud-based data analyzer that executes as a service in a cloud platform. In addition to industrial data generated or collected by the industrial devices, the devices can provide device profile information to the cloud-based analyzer that identifies the device and relevant configuration information. The industrial devices can also provide customer data identifying an owner of the industrial devices, contact information for the owner, active service contracts, etc. The cloud-based data analyzer leverages this information to perform a variety of custom analytics on the data and generate reports or notifications catered to the particular industrial assets' optimal performance and business goals of the owner's industrial enterprise, as well as perform real-time decision making and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan L. Asenjo, John Strohmenger, Stephen Thomas Nawalaniec, Bradford Henry Hegrat, Joseph A. Harkulich, Jessica Lin Korpela, Jenifer Rydberg Wright, Rainer Hessmer, John Dyck, Edward Alan Hill, Salvatore T. Conti
  • Patent number: 10241501
    Abstract: A numerical controller includes a programmable controller that performs input and output of a signal based on a ladder program and performs control of a machine based on an NC program. The numerical controller includes a first table associating the function used for control of the machine, an input signal, and an output signal and a second table associating the input signal, the output signal, and a signal in a dependent relation with the input signal and the output signal. Based on a function code of a function commanded by a block of the NC program that is preread, the numerical controller refers to the first and the second tables, identifies a signal to be subjected to automatic trace, and performs trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Noritake Nagashima
  • Patent number: 10162333
    Abstract: A switch apparatus includes: an operation unit that is movable in one direction; a first detection unit that outputs a first detection signal indicative of a distance to the operation unit; a second detection unit that outputs a second detection signal indicative of a distance to the operation unit; a first determination unit that outputs a first safety input signal when the first detection signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; a second detection unit that outputs a second safety input signal when the second detection signal is greater than or equal to a second detection signal; and a threshold value adjustment and holding unit that adjusts and holds the first and second threshold values such that when the operation unit moves a predetermined distance, output start timings of the first and second safety input signals become substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuki Kurokawa, Yasushi Nomoto
  • Patent number: 10067494
    Abstract: A hybrid computer numerical control (CNC) machining center and a machining method thereof are provided. The hybrid CNC machining center has at least a cutting tool head, a laser cladding tool head, a laser surface heat treatment tool head, and a computer numerical control unit. The cutting tool head, the laser cladding tool head, and the laser surface heat treatment tool head are alternately installed in a tool holder of the hybrid CNC machining center. Users can accomplish cutting, laser cladding, and laser surface heat treatment operations for a work-piece just in one single machine, so that the work-piece is unnecessary to be moved between different machines. Therefore, the steps and the process time of the machining operations are substantially simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Tongtai Machine & Tool Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsinpao Chen, Huaien Kao, Zongshin Liu, Tsunghsien Tsai, Tingchang Chen, Juihsiung Yen
  • Patent number: 10048674
    Abstract: When a machining system that includes a machine tool and a robot detects that an operator is present in a dangerous area in the system, a robot controller that controls the robot determines an operation restriction on the machine tool and notifies a numerical controller that controls the machine tool of the determined operation restriction. The numerical controller restricts the operation of the machine tool in accordance with the notified operation restriction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takahiro Endou
  • Patent number: 10025299
    Abstract: A system and method for a self-contained modular manufacturing device having self-contained modular tools configured to collectively accomplish a specific task or function in a hierarchical control manner. In an embodiment, the modular device includes a housing that has a mount configured to engage a robotic arm or other form of maneuvering actuator (such a crane or gantry). The housing provides a base by which additional modules may be mounted and coupled. The modular device also includes an interface configured to communicate with a remote master control system capable of control the robotic arm. The modular device also includes one or more other modules that are configured to accomplish a particular task or function. Such modules are sometimes called end-effectors and work in conjunction with each other to accomplish tasks and functions. In a self-contained modular manufacturing device, individual processors disposed in the housing are configured to control the functional tools (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: MTM ROBOTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Chace Howard Fadlovich, Robert Allen Brown, David James Whalen-Robinson, Michael Gary Woogerd, Eric J. Davis
  • Patent number: 9983568
    Abstract: In a numerical controller that controls a plurality of machine control axes based on a machining program, priorities are assigned to operations of the plurality of machine control axes, and the numerical controller includes: a command analyzing portion that analyzes the machining program and generates command data which controls the plurality of machine control axes; and a block execution start determining portion that determines whether interference occurs in the operations of the plurality of machine control axes based on the command data and, if a determination is made that interference occurs, adjusts timing with which a command which controls an operation of a machine control axis of lower priority of the plurality of machine control axes that interfere with each other is started to a time at which the interference does not occur and positioning is completed in the shortest time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventor: Katsunori Nagano
  • Patent number: 9959889
    Abstract: Three systems for the destruction of the data storage portion of electronic media storage devices such as hard disk drives, solid state drives and hybrid hard drives. One system utilizes a mill cutter with which the hard drive has relative motion in the direction of the axis of the mill cutter to destroy the data storage portion. A second system utilizes a laser to physically destroy the data storage portion. The third system utilizes a chemical solvent to chemically destroy the data storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Serenity Data Security, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin P. Clark
  • Patent number: 9904278
    Abstract: A numerical controller that controls a machine including a plurality of axes includes a multi-core processor having a plurality of cores. If a request is made to cause each of the plurality of cores to perform a plurality of pieces of grouped axis control routine obtained by dividing axis control routine of the plurality of axes by a unit of any number of the axes, an execution unit arranged in each of the plurality of cores performs the grouped axis control routine. In addition, a completion state of the plurality of pieces of grouped axis control routine is monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Ogino
  • Patent number: 9891615
    Abstract: A numerical controller includes a storage area for storing startable start-up settings and a database for storing start-up setting values that inhibit the completion of a start-up. If a start-up has been completed at the time of start-up, current start-up settings are stored in the storage area as startable settings. If the start-up has not been completed, start-up setting values that inhibit the completion are registered in the database, the current settings are reconstructed to startable settings, and the numerical controller is restarted. After start-up settings are changed, the database is searched. If the same start-up settings as the changed start-up setting are found, the found start-up settings are outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Shirose, Mamoru Kubo, Koichi Murata